29er or 27.5 light hardtail?
Discussion
Stuck between building a whole new 29er hardtail or just using my existing 27.5 full sus as a donor.
I know 29er rolls better over large obstacles but will I regret not having that if I plum for the slightly smaller wheels?
Although I could go bigger on volume on the 27.5 tyres to be very very close to the 29er overall diameter?
The 27.5 would be 160mm Fox 36 v 140 or 160mm 29er.
I know 29er rolls better over large obstacles but will I regret not having that if I plum for the slightly smaller wheels?
Although I could go bigger on volume on the 27.5 tyres to be very very close to the 29er overall diameter?
The 27.5 would be 160mm Fox 36 v 140 or 160mm 29er.
Thr issue is I have a decent Hope Pro4 wheelset set up as tubeless and decent 36 forks!
I'd have to go through the hassle of selling the forks, replacing/rebuilding the rim up front and finding decently priced 29er forks!
If I can get away with bigger volume 27.5 tyres fhat don't weigh 1kg+?!
I'd have to go through the hassle of selling the forks, replacing/rebuilding the rim up front and finding decently priced 29er forks!
If I can get away with bigger volume 27.5 tyres fhat don't weigh 1kg+?!
I've tried selling it as a complete bike but had mostly bizarre offers and a few dead keen buyers, one was asking me not to sell and he was coming for it. Spoke to me on the phone etc and then messaged me at 330am this morning saying he can't make it now.
That's spurred me to say forget it.
A 1yr old Santa cruz frame, a 3 month old 36 Factory FIT/Grip2 fork, complete new drivetrain less than 2 months ago and pro4 wheels etc. I asked 2.1k for it.
Maybe it's the wrong time of year, the interest was there but it appears mainly tyre kickers.
So I'd rather keep the bits and stick the frame on sale/ebay it if need be.
That's spurred me to say forget it.
A 1yr old Santa cruz frame, a 3 month old 36 Factory FIT/Grip2 fork, complete new drivetrain less than 2 months ago and pro4 wheels etc. I asked 2.1k for it.
Maybe it's the wrong time of year, the interest was there but it appears mainly tyre kickers.
So I'd rather keep the bits and stick the frame on sale/ebay it if need be.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
Yes. I've completely lost interest in riding it. 1yr old Santa Cruz 5010 bought I'm lockdown and swapped into my bits.
I never got my head round the extremely long headtube the XL size has
The front was always too high no matter what I did with the fork.
Is this not partly down to the fact you’re running a 160 fork when a 5010 is more suited to a 140?!I never got my head round the extremely long headtube the XL size has
The front was always too high no matter what I did with the fork.
I love 29ers.
Had always ridden 26, bought a 27.5 hardtail, then bought my On One Hello Dave in 29. Fully converted. They’re faster, roll better and feel more stable. A little less agile but with modern super slack geometry it’s hardly noticeable.
So getting to the point, I’d go 29 all the way, and would highly recommend the Hello Dave.
Had always ridden 26, bought a 27.5 hardtail, then bought my On One Hello Dave in 29. Fully converted. They’re faster, roll better and feel more stable. A little less agile but with modern super slack geometry it’s hardly noticeable.
So getting to the point, I’d go 29 all the way, and would highly recommend the Hello Dave.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
Is the old Sick geo/frame?
The original ones were. The newest has been tweaked a bit by On One to fit a 180 rear disk and tidy up the cable routing I believe. Same slightly crazy looking geometry, but I think it’s great. Full build is a great spec too. A few cost-cutting measures but on the whole comparable with bikes that cost a lot more.
My 27.5 hardtail (Ragley Marley) is now up for sale, the Hello Dave works much better for me. Can’t see myself ever going back to 27.5.
I solved this issue by building a Santa Cruz Chameleon with left overs from upgrading my other bike. ‘Sadly’ none of the leftovers fitted and it spiralled over budget.
I built it as a 29’er but can stick on my 27.5 wheels.
In the last year I’ve ridden it once as a 27.5 wheeled bike.
I built it as a 29’er but can stick on my 27.5 wheels.
In the last year I’ve ridden it once as a 27.5 wheeled bike.
Edited by Simes205 on Saturday 11th December 19:14
Is there that much of a noticeable difference between the two? I have this gut feeling it’s mostly marketing. My gravel bike has 650b wheels and I didn’t realize until I notice the new inner tubes I’d bought (700c) weren’t going to fit. When you’re out riding, enjoying yourself, does it make a lot of difference?
jimmy156 said:
Is there that much of a noticeable difference between the two? I have this gut feeling it’s mostly marketing. My gravel bike has 650b wheels and I didn’t realize until I notice the new inner tubes I’d bought (700c) weren’t going to fit. When you’re out riding, enjoying yourself, does it make a lot of difference?
I was wondering this. 29 is quicker because rolls better, 27.5 feels better. Apparently. I can't say I'm disappointed with my 27.5 hardtail.
ETA given the wheelset and forks 27.5 seems like a no brainer imo.
In the same boat as you. Want to build out a HT with my old 27.5 bike
I rode my 22 Levo at Bike park wales today. Normally a mullet it is in full 27.5 mode currently as slack as it'll go.
Aside from the obvious changes in geometry and the problems that come with it, it did remarkably well but the 29er rolls way better over chunder and provides way more traction when cornering. The 27.5 corners and turns in better, easier to whip round roots and some tighter sections. The 27.5 was great on the smoother blue trails but any hint of tech and I was hankering after the 29er. Frankly the rocky sections were hard work with the 27.5. I would much sooner plough through those bits on a 29er rather than pick my way through with a 27.5. Maybe that would suit a HT though?
I'll not go back to 27.5 I don't think unless I can find a HT frame that's mega slack say 63 HTA. I know there's a ragley that offers that. But then it's still not a 29er is it.
I like the mullet setup I have on the Levo. I nearly bought a Santacruz Nomad I looked at one in the shop today at BPW and it just looks like a BMX with the 27.5 for someone at 6 ft tall.
I rode my 22 Levo at Bike park wales today. Normally a mullet it is in full 27.5 mode currently as slack as it'll go.
Aside from the obvious changes in geometry and the problems that come with it, it did remarkably well but the 29er rolls way better over chunder and provides way more traction when cornering. The 27.5 corners and turns in better, easier to whip round roots and some tighter sections. The 27.5 was great on the smoother blue trails but any hint of tech and I was hankering after the 29er. Frankly the rocky sections were hard work with the 27.5. I would much sooner plough through those bits on a 29er rather than pick my way through with a 27.5. Maybe that would suit a HT though?
I'll not go back to 27.5 I don't think unless I can find a HT frame that's mega slack say 63 HTA. I know there's a ragley that offers that. But then it's still not a 29er is it.
I like the mullet setup I have on the Levo. I nearly bought a Santacruz Nomad I looked at one in the shop today at BPW and it just looks like a BMX with the 27.5 for someone at 6 ft tall.
That’s how I feel. Even on the more technical elements I prefer my 29 now, just blows through everything. It’s brilliant.
There aren’t many 27.5 hardtails with modern geometry. Ragley do one, as do On One (it’s another old Sick bikes frame with a few modifications). I bought one 3 months ago intending to move the parts from my Ragley onto it. In the end I didn’t bother, and have just sold it on. I’ve realised for the riding I do I’d always rather be on 29.
There aren’t many 27.5 hardtails with modern geometry. Ragley do one, as do On One (it’s another old Sick bikes frame with a few modifications). I bought one 3 months ago intending to move the parts from my Ragley onto it. In the end I didn’t bother, and have just sold it on. I’ve realised for the riding I do I’d always rather be on 29.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
I've tried selling it as a complete bike but had mostly bizarre offers and a few dead keen buyers, one was asking me not to sell and he was coming for it. Spoke to me on the phone etc and then messaged me at 330am this morning saying he can't make it now.
That's spurred me to say forget it.
A 1yr old Santa cruz frame, a 3 month old 36 Factory FIT/Grip2 fork, complete new drivetrain less than 2 months ago and pro4 wheels etc. I asked 2.1k for it.
Maybe it's the wrong time of year, the interest was there but it appears mainly tyre kickers.
So I'd rather keep the bits and stick the frame on sale/ebay it if need be.
Don't want to create unnecessary alarm, but that buying then cancelling at the last minute was what the other pher described happened to him when his garage was cleared out a few nights later.That's spurred me to say forget it.
A 1yr old Santa cruz frame, a 3 month old 36 Factory FIT/Grip2 fork, complete new drivetrain less than 2 months ago and pro4 wheels etc. I asked 2.1k for it.
Maybe it's the wrong time of year, the interest was there but it appears mainly tyre kickers.
So I'd rather keep the bits and stick the frame on sale/ebay it if need be.
Bathroom_Security said:
In the same boat as you. Want to build out a HT with my old 27.5 bike
I rode my 22 Levo at Bike park wales today. Normally a mullet it is in full 27.5 mode currently as slack as it'll go.
Aside from the obvious changes in geometry and the problems that come with it, it did remarkably well but the 29er rolls way better over chunder and provides way more traction when cornering. The 27.5 corners and turns in better, easier to whip round roots and some tighter sections. The 27.5 was great on the smoother blue trails but any hint of tech and I was hankering after the 29er. Frankly the rocky sections were hard work with the 27.5. I would much sooner plough through those bits on a 29er rather than pick my way through with a 27.5. Maybe that would suit a HT though?
I'll not go back to 27.5 I don't think unless I can find a HT frame that's mega slack say 63 HTA. I know there's a ragley that offers that. But then it's still not a 29er is it.
I like the mullet setup I have on the Levo. I nearly bought a Santacruz Nomad I looked at one in the shop today at BPW and it just looks like a BMX with the 27.5 for someone at 6 ft tall.
Referencing my earlier point, this bit in bold is what gets me. Can a 5% difference in wheel size make the difference between “ploughing though” and “picking through”I rode my 22 Levo at Bike park wales today. Normally a mullet it is in full 27.5 mode currently as slack as it'll go.
Aside from the obvious changes in geometry and the problems that come with it, it did remarkably well but the 29er rolls way better over chunder and provides way more traction when cornering. The 27.5 corners and turns in better, easier to whip round roots and some tighter sections. The 27.5 was great on the smoother blue trails but any hint of tech and I was hankering after the 29er. Frankly the rocky sections were hard work with the 27.5. I would much sooner plough through those bits on a 29er rather than pick my way through with a 27.5. Maybe that would suit a HT though?
I'll not go back to 27.5 I don't think unless I can find a HT frame that's mega slack say 63 HTA. I know there's a ragley that offers that. But then it's still not a 29er is it.
I like the mullet setup I have on the Levo. I nearly bought a Santacruz Nomad I looked at one in the shop today at BPW and it just looks like a BMX with the 27.5 for someone at 6 ft tall.
I have this feeling there may be a physiological element to it all. You’re told the 29er rolls better, therefore it does.
I don’t actually know by the way, and don’t have the experience to back up my opinion. I’m just positing my thoughts!
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