The 26" MTB appreciation thread
Discussion
Read any MTB mag and you'd think 26" wheeled bikes were dead in the water (or mud).
I have zero interest in 29" or 650b wheels. I don't want a whole new bike; I've spent years building up my perfect bike and I love it.
I've tried 29" and really didn't like it; slow steering, less agile, more reliance on tyre shock absorption than using a decent fork and tyre choice is still very limited.
So 29" and 650b fans; this isn't for bashing 26" bikes; it's for those that plan to stick to 26" and agree they just look a whole heap more "right."
I have zero interest in 29" or 650b wheels. I don't want a whole new bike; I've spent years building up my perfect bike and I love it.
I've tried 29" and really didn't like it; slow steering, less agile, more reliance on tyre shock absorption than using a decent fork and tyre choice is still very limited.
So 29" and 650b fans; this isn't for bashing 26" bikes; it's for those that plan to stick to 26" and agree they just look a whole heap more "right."
Edited by Vladimir on Wednesday 25th September 06:54
Ok, I'll bite.
There is no right or wrong wheel size. They are all fun in different ways.
What does really annoy me about this whole wheel size thing is the hate and defensiveness off people with 26" wheels. I have been shocked at the reactions of people when I ride past on my 29 hard tail. How about been shouted at to "go home on my clown bike" sound!
The thing is those that whinge and moan the most, I often find are the people that buy all the magazines and revel in having all the latest gear, and now shock horror these people feel peeved that their pride and joy is no longer on the front cover of MBUK and ranked in their top ten annual poll. I personally stopped buying those magazines when I left school so couldn't care less. I prefer to ride and enjoy my bikes rather than to sit and read about them.
So yes I absolutely love my 26" wheel bike and will probably never sell it. I also love my 29", and I'm soon to be getting a 650b which I'm sure i'll love too.
There is no right or wrong wheel size. They are all fun in different ways.
What does really annoy me about this whole wheel size thing is the hate and defensiveness off people with 26" wheels. I have been shocked at the reactions of people when I ride past on my 29 hard tail. How about been shouted at to "go home on my clown bike" sound!
The thing is those that whinge and moan the most, I often find are the people that buy all the magazines and revel in having all the latest gear, and now shock horror these people feel peeved that their pride and joy is no longer on the front cover of MBUK and ranked in their top ten annual poll. I personally stopped buying those magazines when I left school so couldn't care less. I prefer to ride and enjoy my bikes rather than to sit and read about them.
So yes I absolutely love my 26" wheel bike and will probably never sell it. I also love my 29", and I'm soon to be getting a 650b which I'm sure i'll love too.
Edited by R.P.M on Tuesday 24th September 21:51
Loving my Spicy, my performance bonus from work this year (all being well) will be an Evil Undead frame so II'm going to be riding 26" for a while yet.
I've nothing against 29" but 650b is simply a gimmick IMHO, its so close to 26" the only real difference is the bike industry's ability tp sell more s
t.
The magazine's have thier hands too far in the industry's pockets
I've nothing against 29" but 650b is simply a gimmick IMHO, its so close to 26" the only real difference is the bike industry's ability tp sell more s
t. The magazine's have thier hands too far in the industry's pockets
I am sticking with 26" wheels.
One advantage I have found is you can pick up some really nice 26" hardware cheap from people switching to 29" wheeled bikes, especially high end hardtails.
I picked up my hardtail frame, a Rock Mountain Vertex 70 RSL for $450 and it was basically unmarked.
My full susser (2013 Rune V2) can be built as 26 or 650 with interchangeable drop outs. I stuck with 26 again.
One advantage I have found is you can pick up some really nice 26" hardware cheap from people switching to 29" wheeled bikes, especially high end hardtails.
I picked up my hardtail frame, a Rock Mountain Vertex 70 RSL for $450 and it was basically unmarked.
My full susser (2013 Rune V2) can be built as 26 or 650 with interchangeable drop outs. I stuck with 26 again.
I've ridden a fair few 29'ers and yeah they are ok for noobs and flowing untechnical stuff but throw in some fast twisty single track and they are ste. To me they are just hybrids from days yore tarted up. 650b I kind of get but will reserve judgement until I've ridden a few in anger. 26" will always be a sweet spot and more fool the plebs who dismiss it.
My current hardtail is like a razor on the trails and to me that's what biking is about
te. To me they are just hybrids from days yore tarted up. 650b I kind of get but will reserve judgement until I've ridden a few in anger. 26" will always be a sweet spot and more fool the plebs who dismiss it. My current hardtail is like a razor on the trails and to me that's what biking is about
P-Jay said:
Loving my Spicy, my performance bonus from work this year (all being well) will be an Evil Undead frame so II'm going to be riding 26" for a while yet.
I've nothing against 29" but 650b is simply a gimmick IMHO, its so close to 26" the only real difference is the bike industry's ability tp sell more st.
The magazine's have thier hands too far in the industry's pockets
I'd say you're a pretty hardcore/experienced rider so if you still think 26 is best (as do many very good riders I know), it shows how daft the big wheel thing is.I've nothing against 29" but 650b is simply a gimmick IMHO, its so close to 26" the only real difference is the bike industry's ability tp sell more s
t. The magazine's have thier hands too far in the industry's pockets
Each to their own I say, but for me I'm sticking with a 26. Me and a mate both have 2013 Cube Analogs. Mine is 26, his is a 29. We swap sometimes and they might as well be different bikes. His is heavier, harder to man-handle round tight turns and has less tyre options (although that's changing). On the single track round Bedgebury I have a definate advantage. He is able to roll over much bigger drop outs, it rolls nicely on XC routes and he is well over 6 foot and it suits him. I'm 5' 9" and a 26 looks better.
Sticking with 26 cos I forked out a couple of grand the other year and keeping it in tip top condition is expensive enough without almost starting again from scratch.
I also 'think' 26 suits me better - I ride a small frame and have no interest in racing or going fast at all just having a fun agile bike that foes where I want it to go.
That said, if I was in the market for a new bike I'd be open to any wheel size and I can't see 650b as being all that different so if that was the new standard then so be it.
I still think much of the hype is just a nudge to get us all upgrading though.....
I also 'think' 26 suits me better - I ride a small frame and have no interest in racing or going fast at all just having a fun agile bike that foes where I want it to go.
That said, if I was in the market for a new bike I'd be open to any wheel size and I can't see 650b as being all that different so if that was the new standard then so be it.
I still think much of the hype is just a nudge to get us all upgrading though.....
Vladimir said:
Interesting comments! My old school 26er... (cable routing now sorted!)
Can't fault it TBH.
An off topic question. I see that you ride with only 2 rings at the front. Same here. The biggest of mine being 42t and it's matched to a (10sp) 11t at the rear. I find that on slightly open stuff, or short bits of road, my legs are spinning like mad due to the small front cog. Thinking of going to 44t at the front and wondered what you were running, or if it would make any difference.
Can't fault it TBH.
Gingerbread Man said:
An off topic question. I see that you ride with only 2 rings at the front. Same here. The biggest of mine being 42t and it's matched to a (10sp) 11t at the rear. I find that on slightly open stuff, or short bits of road, my legs are spinning like mad due to the small front cog. Thinking of going to 44t at the front and wondered what you were running, or if it would make any difference.
Must be the photo - it's actually a triple ring with TA Chinook chainrings! Vladimir said:
Gingerbread Man said:
An off topic question. I see that you ride with only 2 rings at the front. Same here. The biggest of mine being 42t and it's matched to a (10sp) 11t at the rear. I find that on slightly open stuff, or short bits of road, my legs are spinning like mad due to the small front cog. Thinking of going to 44t at the front and wondered what you were running, or if it would make any difference.
Must be the photo - it's actually a triple ring with TA Chinook chainrings! 
I've posted something similar in the past but this creeps cropping up and intrigueing me.
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Liteville-601-Frame-I...
Reminds me of the old 24" rear end Big Hits back'int day!
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Liteville-601-Frame-I...
Reminds me of the old 24" rear end Big Hits back'int day!
Vladimir said:
P-Jay said:
Loving my Spicy, my performance bonus from work this year (all being well) will be an Evil Undead frame so II'm going to be riding 26" for a while yet.
I've nothing against 29" but 650b is simply a gimmick IMHO, its so close to 26" the only real difference is the bike industry's ability tp sell more st.
The magazine's have thier hands too far in the industry's pockets
I'd say you're a pretty hardcore/experienced rider so if you still think 26 is best (as do many very good riders I know), it shows how daft the big wheel thing is.I've nothing against 29" but 650b is simply a gimmick IMHO, its so close to 26" the only real difference is the bike industry's ability tp sell more s
t. The magazine's have thier hands too far in the industry's pockets
I think 29" has it's place, I'm a grumpy old man scared of change and I didn't take to them originally, but for proper XC stuff when you want to efficiently dispatch 'lighter' terrain quickly they seem to work well, personally I don't race and enjoyment are more important that efficiency.
650b really gets up my nose though, they're not bad by any stretch, far from it, they're just not meaningfully different from 26" and after 15 years in sales and marketing I can smell bulls
t from 2 streets over. Their inception and design wasn't from a desire to build a better bike, or to offer a 3rd option, but the hit the giant reset switch on 90% of the mountain bikes in circulation, they know we can be a fashion conscious lot and nothing gets us rushing to the tills quicker than the thought that out bikes might be "old fashioned". Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff