Full Suspension - Travel v's Wheel Size
Discussion
I currently have a 2018 Bronson - 27.5" wheel and 150mm rear travel. It's a hoot, just a fun thing to ride.
Also have a Boardman MTR 9.0 - 29" wheel and 145mm travel. It's ok, but mainly used as a winter bike, it's not light and I don't find myself taking it out all that often.
Wondering whether to swap out the frame of the Boardman, but perhaps move to slightly less travel so as to be a little different to the Bronson (maybe a Tallboy).
Does anyone have both a 29" and a 27.5 full suspension though? Ignoring the (perfectly valid) N+1 rules, wondering whether it's a bit pointless. I also have a hard tail.
In addition, does it make sense to have bigger travel on the 29?
(and yes, it's entirely likely that I'm over-thinking!)
Also have a Boardman MTR 9.0 - 29" wheel and 145mm travel. It's ok, but mainly used as a winter bike, it's not light and I don't find myself taking it out all that often.
Wondering whether to swap out the frame of the Boardman, but perhaps move to slightly less travel so as to be a little different to the Bronson (maybe a Tallboy).
Does anyone have both a 29" and a 27.5 full suspension though? Ignoring the (perfectly valid) N+1 rules, wondering whether it's a bit pointless. I also have a hard tail.
In addition, does it make sense to have bigger travel on the 29?
(and yes, it's entirely likely that I'm over-thinking!)
Your first sentence pretty much hits the nail on the head, 27.5 are fun and 29'ers are fast. 27.5 is more playful and chuckable whereas a 29'er just motors over stuff.
That's my experience anyway and have found a mullet the best of both and so I run a mullet fully, mullet E-bike and a full 29 hardtail.
That's my experience anyway and have found a mullet the best of both and so I run a mullet fully, mullet E-bike and a full 29 hardtail.
bobbo89 said:
Your first sentence pretty much hits the nail on the head, 27.5 are fun and 29'ers are fast. 27.5 is more playful and chuckable whereas a 29'er just motors over stuff.
That's the popular cliche, it may have been true more often in the past but definitely isn't always the case. There is a lot more to it than just wheel size.I haven't had much time on 27.5 but for one example I rented a Remedy for a day at a bike park and didn't find it agile or playful at all compared to the (shorter travel) Trance 29 I had at the time or the (similar travel) Reign 29 I have now.
Often 27.5 is more popular with people who like big jumps (apparently easier to move around in the air, I don't jump consistently to enough to make informed comment there), and the smaller wheels allow more travel with some suspension layouts. So its not uncommon to find a manufacturer making longer travel 27.5 and a shorter travel 29 version of similar bikes.
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 24th July 12:51
I'm just speaking from my own experience.
I've gone from a 27.5 Cotic Rocket to a 29 Cotic Rocket Max which I've now converted to a mullet after 10 months of being built as a full 29'er.
I definitely find a 27.5 full sus more agile and fun over a full 29'er, that isn't to say that a 29'er isn't agile and fun, just that I find a 27.5 more so. When it comes to hardtails however I'm a full 29'er convert.
I've gone from a 27.5 Cotic Rocket to a 29 Cotic Rocket Max which I've now converted to a mullet after 10 months of being built as a full 29'er.
I definitely find a 27.5 full sus more agile and fun over a full 29'er, that isn't to say that a 29'er isn't agile and fun, just that I find a 27.5 more so. When it comes to hardtails however I'm a full 29'er convert.
bobbo89 said:
Your first sentence pretty much hits the nail on the head, 27.5 are fun and 29'ers are fast. 27.5 is more playful and chuckable whereas a 29'er just motors over stuff.
That's my experience anyway and have found a mullet the best of both and so I run a mullet fully, mullet E-bike and a full 29 hardtail.
Whereas yourfirst sentence is nonsense! There are SO, SO many more factors at play then wheel size that affect whether a bike is 'fun' or 'fast'.That's my experience anyway and have found a mullet the best of both and so I run a mullet fully, mullet E-bike and a full 29 hardtail.
Oh and - as we are talking SC - a brand new Hightower would do everything the Bronson AND the Boardman do, and better....
Its not really clear what exactly you want the new bike to do?
As you have a hardtail - sell both of them and buy a new, bang up to date geo longer travel trail bike, either mullet or 29.....?
Comparing like for like i doubt wheel size makes much difference but set up and type of tyres do. I have the same model Bronson. The way i have it set up means that anything geared towards xc/trail riding is markedly different as you would run xc/trail tyres as opposed to wider Maxxis Assegais etc.
having said that I'd just get a hardtail and ride different stuff so it is obvious which bike to ride. Or better yet an ebike
having said that I'd just get a hardtail and ride different stuff so it is obvious which bike to ride. Or better yet an ebike
President Merkin said:
When you say swap out the frame, do you mean just that? keep the components & bolt them to a different frame? Seems like a lot of work! But I suppose could be a fun project.
Yup! I enjoy it, find it relaxing and a nice way to chill out. Also helps that it saves a few $$ 
snotrag said:
Oh and - as we are talking SC - a brand new Hightower would do everything the Bronson AND the Boardman do, and better....
Its not really clear what exactly you want the new bike to do?
As you have a hardtail - sell both of them and buy a new, bang up to date geo longer travel trail bike, either mullet or 29.....?
That's kinda the question - is there even any point in having a 29" F/S when it's so similar to the Bronson. Much as I like the idea of consolidating into a Hightower, even if I sell them both there's quite a financial gap between them and a new one!Its not really clear what exactly you want the new bike to do?
As you have a hardtail - sell both of them and buy a new, bang up to date geo longer travel trail bike, either mullet or 29.....?
joema said:
having said that I'd just get a hardtail and ride different stuff so it is obvious which bike to ride. Or better yet an ebike
I have nothing against ebikes but can't see a use for one in the riding I do.Mr Scruff said:
President Merkin said:
When you say swap out the frame, do you mean just that? keep the components & bolt them to a different frame? Seems like a lot of work! But I suppose could be a fun project.
Yup! I enjoy it, find it relaxing and a nice way to chill out. Also helps that it saves a few $$ Mr Scruff said:
President Merkin said:
When you say swap out the frame, do you mean just that? keep the components & bolt them to a different frame? Seems like a lot of work! But I suppose could be a fun project.
Yup! I enjoy it, find it relaxing and a nice way to chill out. Also helps that it saves a few $$ snotrag said:
bobbo89 said:
Your first sentence pretty much hits the nail on the head, 27.5 are fun and 29'ers are fast. 27.5 is more playful and chuckable whereas a 29'er just motors over stuff.
That's my experience anyway and have found a mullet the best of both and so I run a mullet fully, mullet E-bike and a full 29 hardtail.
Whereas your first sentence is nonsense! There are SO, SO many more factors at play then wheel size that affect whether a bike is 'fun' or 'fast'.That's my experience anyway and have found a mullet the best of both and so I run a mullet fully, mullet E-bike and a full 29 hardtail.
Craikeybaby said:
I also enjoy it, the mechanic at my local bike shop always say he can't understand why I want to spend my evening working on bikes - but I'm sat looking at a screen all day, so don't want to do that in the evening too! Although, I've never found it to be a cheap exercise, there's always some standard that has changed or a necessary upgrade...
Ain't that the truth! But then it's all part of the fun.Anyway, Craikeybaby you're entirely correct about travel. After a whole 13 seconds thought I've decided to go for a 130mm frame to replace the Boardman, with a longer term plan to sell on the Bronson too. Always wanted a Bird, so gone for an Aether 9c with the imperfect paint.
(though I might not sell the Bronson, as it's a flippin' brilliant bike. If I don't then I'll name you in the divorce proceedings - "It was Craikeybaby wot made me do it")
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