I tried most of the options for wheel sizes etc before settling on my current bike. I ended up sticking with 27.5.
What I took away...
I tried most of the options for wheel sizes etc before settling on my current bike. I ended up sticking with 27.5.
What I took away from it was, yes the 29 definitely felt a lot more controlled, planted and stable especially at speed, it also felt a bit more consistent, there was absolutely no denying it.
That said, I'm pretty short, suffered a bit too much ass buzzing for my liking and I felt I lost too much nimbleness, playfulness and "feel", and when it comes down to it I'm just out there for a bit of fun and I whilst technically the 29 is probably "better", I think this time round the balance for me was more towards the fun side.
If I was racing then I would likely have made a very different decision.
I feel the jump from 26 to 27.5 was bigger for me than that of 27.5 to 29. I've yet to commit fully to a 29" setup, but it is only a matter of time I guess. I'm comfortable with my choice of 27.5 for this bike though. I will revisit the same question in a couple of years time.
I rented a 29 V10 at Whistler in 2019. That bike was an absolute rocket. I’m 5’10” with 30” inseam (i.e. short legs) and rear tire has never hit my butt that many times in one week. One butt buzz was hard enough I thought I involuntarily became a eunuch. I prefer 27.5 wheels to 29 for the same reasons as you. My wife has a mullet e-mtb and I prefer it to a full 29. I might try setting up my trail bike as mullet at some point… but probably not.
what sort of riding do you have in mind with 29 x 2,8"?
Typical "trail", "enduro", or whatever we're calling "regular mountain biking". 2.6" - 2.7" on the rear and 2.8" on the front are the largest casings I can cram into my bike; it also seems to be about the right balance.
They roll more efficiently than narrower tires on rough ground, have excellent traction with smooth transition to drifting, and improve the ride quality on telescoping forks. Lateral collapse is only an issue on hardpack and perfect berms. With a set of stiff, wide wheels, I've become used to the lateral deformation of the tires and prefer the feel of this over narrower tires on less-stiff wheels.
I'm finding more upside than downside, and I think I can reduce the downside with a wider rim and a modification to the tire design.
Tires have been steadily getting wider for decades and it's always been the same conversation. When 1.8" - 2" (actual width) was the norm, people questioned why some riders preferred tires wider than 2". When 2" - 2.1" was the norm, people questioned 2.2". Now 2.3" - 2.4" (again, actual casing width) is the norm and it's the same questions. I think currently available tires with 2.6" actual width may be about the maximum for good-but-not-pro-level riders with current casing designs and aspect ratios - especially on the rear - but improved casings and modified aspect ratios will allow widths to continue to increase for all riders. That's what I'm trying to determine.
Since I am considering a new bike(b/c i went too long and slack) I came across a thread here from 2017 where Spoomer but forward this...
Since I am considering a new bike(b/c i went too long and slack) I came across a thread here from 2017 where Spoomer but forward this question. Now that 29er have become really good and sort of the norm for enduro and the one-bike kind of setup.
What does this landscape look like today? Anyone going back to smaller bikes? Reach and or wheels?
I am kind of leaning towards a shorter bike with smaller wheels, something like the GG Megatrail or a Starling Swoop.
I live in remote Norway and dont really have any chance of demoing bikes. So input i Vital!
I went from a long, slack, long travel enduro 29er to a mid travel semi-slack 29er to a mid travel short reach, short wheelbase 27.5 bike. I've been on the 27.5 all summer and have prob done about 30 rides on it in a wide range of conditions, from mellow buff greens to super chunky, super steep double blacks. for easy to intermediate trails, I prefer the shorter 27.5 bike. It's lighter, it climbs better, it corners better on tight switchbacks and berms. for anything really fast, really rocky, or both, I prefer the 29ers by a wide margin. since I prefer the faster chunkier terrain, I prefer the 29ers overall. I probably don't need a long travel super slack enduro, and a mid travel slack-ish 29er trail bike is probably more than enough. but I prefer the cushy stable ride of the enduro bike. and since I do this for fun, I'll be going back to a long slack enduro 29er.
Since I am considering a new bike(b/c i went too long and slack) I came across a thread here from 2017 where Spoomer but forward this...
Since I am considering a new bike(b/c i went too long and slack) I came across a thread here from 2017 where Spoomer but forward this question. Now that 29er have become really good and sort of the norm for enduro and the one-bike kind of setup.
What does this landscape look like today? Anyone going back to smaller bikes? Reach and or wheels?
I am kind of leaning towards a shorter bike with smaller wheels, something like the GG Megatrail or a Starling Swoop.
I live in remote Norway and dont really have any chance of demoing bikes. So input i Vital!
I went from a long, slack, long travel enduro 29er to a mid travel semi-slack 29er to a mid travel short reach, short wheelbase 27.5 bike...
I went from a long, slack, long travel enduro 29er to a mid travel semi-slack 29er to a mid travel short reach, short wheelbase 27.5 bike. I've been on the 27.5 all summer and have prob done about 30 rides on it in a wide range of conditions, from mellow buff greens to super chunky, super steep double blacks. for easy to intermediate trails, I prefer the shorter 27.5 bike. It's lighter, it climbs better, it corners better on tight switchbacks and berms. for anything really fast, really rocky, or both, I prefer the 29ers by a wide margin. since I prefer the faster chunkier terrain, I prefer the 29ers overall. I probably don't need a long travel super slack enduro, and a mid travel slack-ish 29er trail bike is probably more than enough. but I prefer the cushy stable ride of the enduro bike. and since I do this for fun, I'll be going back to a long slack enduro 29er.
Cushy and fun… I’m down with both. Regardless of wheel size.
Did 29er back in 2011, realized if I was going to be carrying boat anchors around that I would like more grip. Switched to a 27.5 3.0 inch in 2015, eventually settling on 27.5 2.8f / 2.6r on my Patrol. Better rollover, better cushion, better traction, and better manuverability than 29ers (29+ can get the same thing, but cant justify the added weight). Just ordered a carbon Scout frame and will switch everything over and stay 27.5.
Typical "trail", "enduro", or whatever we're calling "regular mountain biking". 2.6" - 2.7" on the rear and 2.8" on the front are the largest casings I...
Typical "trail", "enduro", or whatever we're calling "regular mountain biking". 2.6" - 2.7" on the rear and 2.8" on the front are the largest casings I can cram into my bike; it also seems to be about the right balance.
They roll more efficiently than narrower tires on rough ground, have excellent traction with smooth transition to drifting, and improve the ride quality on telescoping forks. Lateral collapse is only an issue on hardpack and perfect berms. With a set of stiff, wide wheels, I've become used to the lateral deformation of the tires and prefer the feel of this over narrower tires on less-stiff wheels.
I'm finding more upside than downside, and I think I can reduce the downside with a wider rim and a modification to the tire design.
Tires have been steadily getting wider for decades and it's always been the same conversation. When 1.8" - 2" (actual width) was the norm, people questioned why some riders preferred tires wider than 2". When 2" - 2.1" was the norm, people questioned 2.2". Now 2.3" - 2.4" (again, actual casing width) is the norm and it's the same questions. I think currently available tires with 2.6" actual width may be about the maximum for good-but-not-pro-level riders with current casing designs and aspect ratios - especially on the rear - but improved casings and modified aspect ratios will allow widths to continue to increase for all riders. That's what I'm trying to determine.
yeah, this is an interesting line of thought! Chris kovarik has 3" front and 2,8" rear on his intense M29. Definitely not going to be light by going sturdy 2,8-3" with a rim to support that, but I can imagine the grip is going to be intense.
yeah, this is an interesting line of thought! Chris kovarik has 3" front and 2,8" rear on his intense M29. Definitely not going to be light...
yeah, this is an interesting line of thought! Chris kovarik has 3" front and 2,8" rear on his intense M29. Definitely not going to be light by going sturdy 2,8-3" with a rim to support that, but I can imagine the grip is going to be intense.
Yes, I discussed it with him. It's an EXO casing, so it's about the same weight as a 2.4" Double Down. The 3" nominal size is actually 2.85" on my 36 mm rims, and the 2.8" nominal size is barely over 2.6". His experiences have been similar to my own; we're both pleasantly surprised.
A 2.8" (actual) tire on 45 mm rim isn't crazy as it initially sounds - nor is it as heavy as it looks.
Carbon rims don't gain much weight as they get wider, as the weight is concentrated at the bead lips and spoke bed. There are decently robust 45 mm rims that are the same weight as a DT EX511.
As I continue to test wider tires and rims, it seems "plus" got an unfairly negative reputation due to poor initial execution, much like dodgy early rear suspension designs, the fragile first wave of carbon products, and sticky tire compounds in the '90s that would last only a couple rides - and, since the thread topic is wheel sizes, early 29ers with horrible geometry.
I am going for the 27.5 Swoop, as this has been on my list since it came out. And I agree with alot of the sentiment about 29ers, i really love the speed and stability, though I have found out that the low and slack has its limits. So my objective is fun and adgile, and I only do one race each year on our local DH track. And I only need to beat my buddy Børre, and i bet this is the last year, since he is gaining to much speed. Haha.
I did try to be sure about geo more than wheel size, when i decided between the GG megatrail/Swoop and other bikes(read 29ers), so RAD numbers, stack, reach, chainstay length, and i wanted them to match up with my last 29er Cube stereo. That bike gave me my best time down my DH track, it was fun and agile.
I will try to report back to this thread when i get some riding in, but that will probably be sometime this late fall/winter.
I had a 2.8 on a 35mm internal width rim and even with cushcore I'd throw the tyre off the rim every now and then, funny the first time it happens in the bike park, not so funny 30km from home in the middle of the bush
Yeah, that's why I want to keep the width, but not necessarily the height.
just on that point, I did keep that rim (bulletproof DT Swiss Ebike wheel) and any tyre narrower than 2.5 inch has a weird contact patch I found, fantastic braking grip due to the wide surface area of tyre on the dirt, but when laying over the side knobs have a "cliff" so to speak where you are gripping and then BAM it's got no more side knobs and it's tokyo drift!
This was only an issue taking well built berms at silly speeds, the added grip for the majority of the time is fantastic. Plus a nice wheel I literally do no maintenance on. Food for thought.
just on that point, I did keep that rim (bulletproof DT Swiss Ebike wheel) and any tyre narrower than 2.5 inch has a weird contact patch...
just on that point, I did keep that rim (bulletproof DT Swiss Ebike wheel) and any tyre narrower than 2.5 inch has a weird contact patch I found, fantastic braking grip due to the wide surface area of tyre on the dirt, but when laying over the side knobs have a "cliff" so to speak where you are gripping and then BAM it's got no more side knobs and it's tokyo drift!
This was only an issue taking well built berms at silly speeds, the added grip for the majority of the time is fantastic. Plus a nice wheel I literally do no maintenance on. Food for thought.
I'm talking about creating new tires that are designed for a lower aspect ratio, not putting existing tires on wider rims, for exactly the reason you describe. Some tires, such as Kenda's 2.6" Hellkat, have enough tread wrap and lug height to work on especially wide rims, but I'd like to explore this more intentionally, not just improvising with a single model.
I went from 29" back to 26"!! Then to 27" but only cos no 26" bikes..... My perfect trail and/or DH bike would be 27/26" mini...
I went from 29" back to 26"!! Then to 27" but only cos no 26" bikes..... My perfect trail and/or DH bike would be 27/26" mini mullet
Banshee still makes 26" dropouts for the latest v3 27.5 frames
I've got a 26/27.5 setup on my park rig and it's absolutely wicked for getting sideways on the jump lines (as much as I'm able to). Sadly the tire selection for 26 gets narrower each year. Might have to stock up on magic marys and get a tread cutter tool
3 of the guys I ride with went back to 27.5. 2 of them went Patrol > Sentinel > Patrol, so apples to apples. Better turning, more fun, less tire buzz. They’re all 5’8” - 5’9”. Fast riders, but not pros. If they got faster or slower it wasn’t by much, the pecking order didn’t change. We live in the PNW so lots of turns, steeps, roots, but not high speed rocks.
I've done both and I'm back on 27.5 I like 29er, but at 5'7, I get tire-buzz. My home trails are not at all challenging, so I prefer a less-capable, twitchy bike to keep things interesting. For trips to the steep and rocky, a longer travel 27.5 bike is perfect. Also nice to keep both bikes on the same wheel size for tire/rim swapping. If I raced, I'd be on 29 or mullet, but I don't care when it's just for fun.
They roll more efficiently than narrower tires on rough ground, have excellent traction with smooth transition to drifting, and improve the ride quality on telescoping forks. Lateral collapse is only an issue on hardpack and perfect berms. With a set of stiff, wide wheels, I've become used to the lateral deformation of the tires and prefer the feel of this over narrower tires on less-stiff wheels.
I'm finding more upside than downside, and I think I can reduce the downside with a wider rim and a modification to the tire design.
Tires have been steadily getting wider for decades and it's always been the same conversation. When 1.8" - 2" (actual width) was the norm, people questioned why some riders preferred tires wider than 2". When 2" - 2.1" was the norm, people questioned 2.2". Now 2.3" - 2.4" (again, actual casing width) is the norm and it's the same questions. I think currently available tires with 2.6" actual width may be about the maximum for good-but-not-pro-level riders with current casing designs and aspect ratios - especially on the rear - but improved casings and modified aspect ratios will allow widths to continue to increase for all riders. That's what I'm trying to determine.
Since I have long legs and 6'1 height I do prefer 29' since more bb drop and higher front end achieved;
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/bike-check-chris-kovariks-heavy-metal-int…
A 2.8" (actual) tire on 45 mm rim isn't crazy as it initially sounds - nor is it as heavy as it looks.
Carbon rims don't gain much weight as they get wider, as the weight is concentrated at the bead lips and spoke bed. There are decently robust 45 mm rims that are the same weight as a DT EX511.
As I continue to test wider tires and rims, it seems "plus" got an unfairly negative reputation due to poor initial execution, much like dodgy early rear suspension designs, the fragile first wave of carbon products, and sticky tire compounds in the '90s that would last only a couple rides - and, since the thread topic is wheel sizes, early 29ers with horrible geometry.
I am going for the 27.5 Swoop, as this has been on my list since it came out. And I agree with alot of the sentiment about 29ers, i really love the speed and stability, though I have found out that the low and slack has its limits. So my objective is fun and adgile, and I only do one race each year on our local DH track. And I only need to beat my buddy Børre, and i bet this is the last year, since he is gaining to much speed. Haha.
I did try to be sure about geo more than wheel size, when i decided between the GG megatrail/Swoop and other bikes(read 29ers), so RAD numbers, stack, reach, chainstay length, and i wanted them to match up with my last 29er Cube stereo. That bike gave me my best time down my DH track, it was fun and agile.
I will try to report back to this thread when i get some riding in, but that will probably be sometime this late fall/winter.
Cool stuff about the plus size tires.
This was only an issue taking well built berms at silly speeds, the added grip for the majority of the time is fantastic. Plus a nice wheel I literally do no maintenance on. Food for thought.
I've got a 26/27.5 setup on my park rig and it's absolutely wicked for getting sideways on the jump lines (as much as I'm able to). Sadly the tire selection for 26 gets narrower each year. Might have to stock up on magic marys and get a tread cutter tool
Post a reply to: Re: Spoomer ca 2017. Anyone gone from 29er back to 27.5?