Yet more MTB wheel choices!! 26, 27.5, 27.5+, 29, 29+
Discussion
Seems to be getting silly now. I tried 29" and decided too big feeling, not nimble enough so when it was n+1 time for the last two bikes I went 27.5 and great they are. Now I'm reading how 27.5+ is "the way forward". I can't see it really being so as its same diameter as 29 which many feel too big already, God knows what sort of a boat a 29+ feels like.
http://www.mbr.co.uk/how-to-2/tech-advice/complete...
http://www.mbr.co.uk/how-to-2/tech-advice/complete...
Team Robot nails it: plus-sized wheels aren't a real innovation, they're a circus sideshow freak intended only for beginners & idiots.
I've got to agree, plus bikes forgo speed and acceleration for extra grip, like bodging the tyres from a Countash onto a mini and thinking you're Senna because once you've wound it up to 60 you don't need to lift for roundabouts.
They'll be forgotten about in a year (but I said that about 650b)
I've got to agree, plus bikes forgo speed and acceleration for extra grip, like bodging the tyres from a Countash onto a mini and thinking you're Senna because once you've wound it up to 60 you don't need to lift for roundabouts.
They'll be forgotten about in a year (but I said that about 650b)
It's just a bit more choice really.
+ (generally tyres >2.8" wide, on wide rims >50mm) works great on rigid bikes esp on the front. Oodles more grip and cush increasingly without a weight penalty.
29+ is getting a bit tall though, so b+ happened cos a 650b rim with a + tyre on is about the same rolling dia as a std 29er, which is already optimum for single speeds.
So it works well on rigid SS, and of course the marketers will sell it to all the golfers too.
+ (generally tyres >2.8" wide, on wide rims >50mm) works great on rigid bikes esp on the front. Oodles more grip and cush increasingly without a weight penalty.
29+ is getting a bit tall though, so b+ happened cos a 650b rim with a + tyre on is about the same rolling dia as a std 29er, which is already optimum for single speeds.
So it works well on rigid SS, and of course the marketers will sell it to all the golfers too.
P-Jay said:
Team Robot nails it: plus-sized wheels aren't a real innovation, they're a circus sideshow freak intended only for beginners & idiots.
Could not disagree with this more. I bought a fat bike at the start of the year, been mountain biking for 25 years, so not far off from the beginning seen lots of things come and go, and I can honestly say it's one of the best bikes I have ever bought. It's fun, get the tyre pressures right and it's very very capable on any surface. It's comfortable without needing suspension, so no servicing of forks or pivot points. Because of the extra grip that is available some surfaces become easier to ride, but it does mean you can try lines you wouldn't normally try.Yes I own other bikes, 29ers, 650b and cross bikes, they all have their place, but the fat bike is alot more versatile than most of those. The 650b is a complete hooligan chuck it about, and it just plays. The 29er is just a fast rolling machine, but it's not keen on quick direction changes compared to the 650b.
At the end of the day they are all a compromise, ride what makes you smile, as for most riding is for fun.
BadgerBenji said:
Could not disagree with this more. I bought a fat bike at the start of the year, been mountain biking for 25 years, so not far off from the beginning seen lots of things come and go, and I can honestly say it's one of the best bikes I have ever bought. It's fun, get the tyre pressures right and it's very very capable on any surface. It's comfortable without needing suspension, so no servicing of forks or pivot points. Because of the extra grip that is available some surfaces become easier to ride, but it does mean you can try lines you wouldn't normally try.
Yes I own other bikes, 29ers, 650b and cross bikes, they all have their place, but the fat bike is alot more versatile than most of those. The 650b is a complete hooligan chuck it about, and it just plays. The 29er is just a fast rolling machine, but it's not keen on quick direction changes compared to the 650b.
At the end of the day they are all a compromise, ride what makes you smile, as for most riding is for fun.
I've not had the chance to ride a Fatbike, as I understand it they were initially designed for riders in snowy climates to ride in winter, but they look like a laugh - if a bit gimmicky to me, but I'll bow to your first hand experience. Yes I own other bikes, 29ers, 650b and cross bikes, they all have their place, but the fat bike is alot more versatile than most of those. The 650b is a complete hooligan chuck it about, and it just plays. The 29er is just a fast rolling machine, but it's not keen on quick direction changes compared to the 650b.
At the end of the day they are all a compromise, ride what makes you smile, as for most riding is for fun.
No this is about the new 'plus' bikes, taking a normal trail bike and redesigning it to take wider tyres, 3.0 and such on wider rims - in simple terms they're redesigning trail bikes to take the sort of rims and tyres we used to run on DH bikes 5-10 years ago, yes a 3" tyre will give you lots of grip, but it'll be incredibly draggy - I actually rode my trail bike a few years ago with my DH tyres and wheels on it (I'm so ahead of the curve me) after a smashed my trail wheels - it just made things boring, you have endless grip, but no speed - takes all the excitement out of it.
My opinion is it all depends on the riding you do.
I.e if I was solely riding downhill I wouldn't consider a 29er or 29er plus, they wouldn't be agile enough. It would be 100% a 26 or 27.5 wheeled bike.
For trail centres such as Cannock etc and Xc riding in the Peak District a 29er is a great weapon of choice, very fast, little bit slower on turn in, but once you've learnt how to ride/cope with the set up you can be fast out.
There is two cube ( acid/mine. Attention sl the lads) 29ers hard tails in my household. I did try and get him on a 27.5 but he wouldn't have it.
Compared to his 26 wheeled bike his speed has massively improved, he's only just had it so he is still going to have to learn how to ride it, if you know what I mean. I'm off following surgery so he hasn't had a proper go out on it yet at a decent trail centre of the peaks.
I've had mine for about 18 months and very nearly gave up on it and swapped for a 27.5. I perservered with it and can fly around on it now. I wouldn't go back to a 26 wheeled bike now for the riding I/we do.
I.e if I was solely riding downhill I wouldn't consider a 29er or 29er plus, they wouldn't be agile enough. It would be 100% a 26 or 27.5 wheeled bike.
For trail centres such as Cannock etc and Xc riding in the Peak District a 29er is a great weapon of choice, very fast, little bit slower on turn in, but once you've learnt how to ride/cope with the set up you can be fast out.
There is two cube ( acid/mine. Attention sl the lads) 29ers hard tails in my household. I did try and get him on a 27.5 but he wouldn't have it.
Compared to his 26 wheeled bike his speed has massively improved, he's only just had it so he is still going to have to learn how to ride it, if you know what I mean. I'm off following surgery so he hasn't had a proper go out on it yet at a decent trail centre of the peaks.
I've had mine for about 18 months and very nearly gave up on it and swapped for a 27.5. I perservered with it and can fly around on it now. I wouldn't go back to a 26 wheeled bike now for the riding I/we do.
The tyres are a lot more supple than a downhill tyre, combined with running tubeless there isn't as much rolling resistance as you might expect, the 4.6's my fat bike ride on can be draggy depending on the surface, but not to the point it stops if you don't keep pedaling. If you do get a fat tyre sliding it can be interesting I was highsided when the grip snatched back too quickly once, which was an of way to exit a bicycle.
Fat bikes are great fun in the right conditions.
As for 26, 27.5, 29, etc I'm pretty cynical and think a lot of it is marketing to shift more bikes. Of course it's possible to tell the difference between riding them, but then two 26's can ride very differently depending on tyres, geometry, etc.
As for 26, 27.5, 29, etc I'm pretty cynical and think a lot of it is marketing to shift more bikes. Of course it's possible to tell the difference between riding them, but then two 26's can ride very differently depending on tyres, geometry, etc.
BadgerBenji said:
Hope you enjoy driving to work in your formula one car, that's what the pro's drive 
I use my GT3 car for the commute We ride the same things as them and can race the same tracks. MTB is probably one of those few sports where you can be racing pro's so what they're doing isn't actually that different so you can draw parallels with the kit they use.
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