29er riders, would you go back to 26" or 650 wheels?

The leg-end that is richmtbguru

The only 26″ forks getting rare are straight 1 1/8″ steerer, loads of taper stuff about, in all axle sizes.

… which is precisely my problem 🙁

That’s the most ridiculous thing, 3 steerer tube standards, 3 handlebar sizes, 3 wheel sizes, 3 axle sizes.

Not exactly standards, are they!

Would I go back,I’ve never been that for away pal…
Got the first 29er 5-6 years ago,doesn’t mean I still don’t like using 26″ wheeled bikes as well….

To the OP, for me it’s all about the type of riding you do. I have a 29er for winter purposes and a 26er trail weapon for everything from XC to DH. the 29er is far too clumsy for everything apart from speed so in my opinion, it depends what sort of bike you were going back to.

despite myself: I’m sold on 29er HTs, I had a 29er 120mm FS but it was just too ‘big’ (big wheel, space to move, it’s gotta go somewhere). I sold it. If I bought another FS (likely I won’t, I’d prefer to rent) I’d buy 650b. I doubt I’ll ever spend more money on 26″.

/\ he said ‘weapon’ 😆

Yep, a bike is so much more than wheel size and I ride whatever bike I enjoy. You may as well say “if you ride a red bike, would you go back to another colour “as its just as stupid and pointless a question!

and those that say a 29er is clumsy..slow to turn etc..thats the bike geometry not the wheel size. Ive ridden plenty of big am 26 bikes that are barges in corners, but I dont apply the all 26ers are crap line. Generalisations are just daft.

Generalisations are just daft.

mostly! 😕

The leg-end that is richmtbguru

Erm… should we know that guy? Is it Murray from Flight of the Conchords.

29er for 2.5 years now – love it and wouldn’t go back, but make a conscious effort to not be a dick about it. Ended up giving my Wife my 2008 Five as the shorter travel Gyro was lighter, faster and more fun. Not compared it to a 650b or last generation 26er Five, or even a 29er Five, hence why I try not to be a dick about wheel-sizes 😮

I bought a 29er in June then a 26″ bike in September. I’d say that the size of the wheels was the least interesting thing about each bike. Mind you, if Orange had made the bike I wanted them to make (Gyro with forward shifted seat tube to give shorter stays and maybe a touch slacker at the front) I probably wouldn’t have gone for the 26″ Five. It is a whole heap of fun though, so no regrets.

After achieving nearly 365 KOM’s last year, 1 a day roughly, I’ve started to feel I need to down grade to smaller wheels to make my group rides more sociable