29er or 27.5 light hardtail?
Discussion
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.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
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.
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!
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Quite.I have never been on a bike and thought "these wheels aren't rolling very well" (unless I've had a flat).
They're wheels.
Rolling is exactly what they're designed to do!
I prefer smaller, lighter, stronger, more nimble wheels but then they'll all do the job.
jimmy156 said:
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 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!
Try it (Extensively - 5+ long rides) and you'll see for yourself. The whole square edged hits thing battering your arms and cornering traction when comparing the two is very much what its about. Drawbacks to both sizes, but 29er is preferable - for me. If I were 5.ft 9 or rode smooth bike park trails only then Id probably go 27.5 as its easier to deal with tight technical turns. Bit easier to jump a 27.5 on a steep take off as well. A run down coal not dole had my forearms in tatters with the 27.5s, any rocks or roots are dealt with way better on a 29er. Only managed a few more runs after that but I don't think any of us could be arsed with the rocksI 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!
Like I said I am not going back to 27.5 and yesterdays ride sealed that for me. I have the luxury of having both options and have tried 27.5 more than once on my Levo now.
27.5 2.6 plus tires are like balloons too, still don't roll as well as a 29er. Way too vague for me even on an ebike, slow to tip a bike into a berm and draggy. 2.4 in both sizes is where its at
Back to HT's as well I decided to replace the CSUs on my current 38s so ill have a spare set of 29er 38s to build out a new bike with. Going to have a ride on a Hello Dave as one of the guys I ride with has one so Ill have a think if I actually want a HT or not. May buy a transition patrol frame.
I've got a fairly aggressive geo Ragley Mmmbop 27.5 hardtail, and a very similar geo Orange Switch 6 Factory mullet and I think I'm a 27.5 guy at heart. I'm not particularly proficient at jumping, and the front end on the mullet feels super heavy. Mmmbop, Pike Ultimate 150mm, Hope Pro 4 Fortus 30, Orange, Fox 36 Factory 160mm, Hope Pro 4 Fortus 30 both tubeless Maxxis DHF, feels like it weighs at least twice as much in the air, for a fairly similar set up. To be fair, when I get it really right, the 29er does feel more stable, but I rarely get it right, as it feels so heavy to get off the ground.
Like you said, we've all done the Alps on 26, so 27.5 or 29 is going to be better. I'm just not sure the difference between 27.5 -29 is as great as 26- 27.5. Fully appreciating there's exactly the same 1.5" difference!
Like you said, we've all done the Alps on 26, so 27.5 or 29 is going to be better. I'm just not sure the difference between 27.5 -29 is as great as 26- 27.5. Fully appreciating there's exactly the same 1.5" difference!
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