[yossarian]

Once in a while it's nice to ride something like that on the same trails as my modern Sleddz to appreciate new tech and remember history.

Totally. And that you don't need to spend a ton of dough to enjoy the ride.

 

[chelboed]

They also take a lot more effort to get rolling than the 26" wheels but carry more momentum.

I ride SS only on both a 26 FS and a 29er HT. I love them both but notice the aforementioned differences every time I switch back and forth.

Both are great and 26ers are so cheap that it's silly. Independent, critical thought vs mindless adherence to the latest marketing BS will allow you access to awesome affordable rides that rock.

But, to each their own. Whatever you do, just ride.

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I think I'm going to have to say that my own 29x3 is faster at everything on my local chunk. Motoring up difference is minimal in my experience. Curvy-carving on flat ground, climbing, descending, blasting through chunk...Stache is faster for me by a long shot. (I've timed it)

I've got 2x 26'ers. One is running Hope Pro 2 / DT EX5.1d wheelset. The other is running Hope Pro 4 / Stans Flow EX wheelset.

Now consider that back in the day, most 26'er rims were pretty heavy for their size versus the Tech advancement of today's rims...and there's less perceivable difference than you'd think.

26er DT EX5.1d rims are 500g
26er Stans Flow EX rims are 510g
29" RF Arc 40 rims are 633g

My Stache is running Hope Pro 4 / RF Arc 40 wheelset.

26'er Tires: Maxxis Ardent 26x2.4 745g / WTB Ranger 26x2.8 783g
Stache: 29x3 Ranger Lite front 902g / Tough rear 1140g // Chupacabra 890g

I posted an apples to apples review of my 26" 2005 All Mountain Hardtail vs my Stache All Mountain build. My 26'er has similar head angle, similar build quality, similar wheelset, similar fork / fork travel, and similar overall weight.

There was nothing at all that the Stache didn't do better. Modern geometry helps for sure, but motoring up from a dead stop on pavement is the only thing the 26'er would do better. Motoring up on trail entails bumps, rocks, roots, etc. The effort required by myself to accelerate from a dead stop over bumps is much less with larger hoops.

 

[dllawson819]

Because this cost me 1g and it is AWESOME! :thumbsup:

If you think it is awesome now .... wait until you try it with 27.5 wheels!!!

 

[hsakkire]

I think I'm going to have to say that my own 29x3 is faster at everything on my local chunk. Motoring up difference is minimal in my experience. Curvy-carving on flat ground, climbing, descending, blasting through chunk...Stache is faster for me by a long shot. (I've timed it)

I've got 2x 26'ers. One is running Hope Pro 2 / DT EX5.1d wheelset. The other is running Hope Pro 4 / Stans Flow EX wheelset.

Now consider that back in the day, most 26'er rims were pretty heavy for their size versus the Tech advancement of today's rims...and there's less perceivable difference than you'd think.

26er DT EX5.1d rims are 500g
26er Stans Flow EX rims are 510g
29" RF Arc 40 rims are 633g

My Stache is running Hope Pro 4 / RF Arc 40 wheelset.

26'er Tires: Maxxis Ardent 26x2.4 745g / WTB Ranger 26x2.8 783g
Stache: 29x3 Ranger Lite front 902g / Tough rear 1140g // Chupacabra 890g

I posted an apples to apples review of my 26" 2005 All Mountain Hardtail vs my Stache All Mountain build. My 26'er has similar head angle, similar build quality, similar wheelset, similar fork / fork travel, and similar overall weight.

There was nothing at all that the Stache didn't do better. Modern geometry helps for sure, but motoring up from a dead stop on pavement is the only thing the 26'er would do better. Motoring up on trail entails bumps, rocks, roots, etc. The effort required by myself to accelerate from a dead stop over bumps is much less with larger hoops.

I wasn't making any judgements as to which is faster.

You have gears. Ride a 26" wheel SS 3-4 times a week for 2-3 weeks. Then switch to 29" wheels with the same gear inches SS.

You'll notice the difference.

I like both but prefer my 29er. But, at $500, the Superlight is a ton of fun too especially on certain trails.

My point was that you can have just as much fun on 26" wheels. I've been having adventures mountain biking for 30 years. I can't say that I'm somehow having more fun now on a 29er than I was in '90 on a 26er with full rigid setup.

It's all been fun and still is everytime on either bike.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[chelboed]

Oh yeah, no doubt about that. Actually, sometimes it's more fun due to a little more challenge.

 

[6D ATB-1T EVO]

I may be wrong, not for the first time and probably not the last either, but:
In my mind people still riding 26” (or 24”) are mostly riding their bikes for the fun of it. Not because it is their work and they make money on it or live for it. Probably more than 90% riding bicycles are doing it because they like it or need a bit of exercise or both. Some may think that going fast is important. Some may think a lot of things. Some may not.
In the time of being locked down in many countries many will think that getting out in fresh air and having a ride on a bike would be fantastic. I am one.
Whether wheels are wide or narrow, whichever size does not matter now. We are not allowed to go out anyway.
I never wanted to be the fastest as I am not making a living on riding a bike.
The 26” wheel size bike forum is not for showing off how much better or worse different size wheels are I suppose. Maybe a forum for showing the 26” wheel size bikes that some like and some do not.

But as mentioned before: I may be wrong.

 

[chelboed]

I may be wrong, not for the first time and probably not the last either, but:
In my mind people still riding 26" (or 24") are mostly riding their bikes for the fun of it. Not because it is their work and they make money on it or live for it. Probably more than 90% riding bicycles are doing it because they like it or need a bit of exercise or both. Some may think that going fast is important. Some may think a lot of things. Some may not.
In the time of being locked down in many countries many will think that getting out in fresh air and having a ride on a bike would be fantastic. I am one.
Whether wheels are wide or narrow, whichever size does not matter now. We are not allowed to go out anyway.
I never wanted to be the fastest as I am not making a living on riding a bike.
The 26" wheel size bike forum is not for showing off how much better or worse different size wheels are I suppose. Maybe a forum for showing the 26" wheel size bikes that some like and some do not.

But as mentioned before: I may be wrong.

My geographical location hasn't locked down outdoor activity yet. I can still go on a bike ride around the neighborhood or a gravel path and only encounter 5-10 people in a 1hr+ ride.

I definitely "get it" that in heavily populated areas, going outside is dumb...but given your situation...do you think it's a good idea just to stay in no matter where you're located?

Just wondering.

 

[6D ATB-1T EVO]

Unless you live where next door neighbour is more than 10km from you: Yes!

 

[291748]

I can go out for hours upon hours and not see anyone but my dog.

 

[matt4x4]

price
availability
sizing
key elements

 

[kk2]

With the covid and lockdown I have witnessed a resurgence of 26ers on local trails. People pulling out their 15-20 years old bike out of the garage and going for the first ride in many many years.

 

[6D ATB-1T EVO]

With the covid and lockdown I have witnessed a resurgence of 26ers on local trails. People pulling out their 15-20 years old bike out of the garage and going for the first ride in many many years.

Lucky you,
My 3 26" bikes are still locked up. Nobody on trails here unless they are willing to risk a fine of up to 3000 Euro so I have not been out looking if anybody is out there.
Hope they find a cure for the virus as we can only go out with mask, gloves and 2 meters between each other and only for buying what is needed to live: food and medicine.
Some leaders in various countries do not mind risking lives of their people as long as they themselves have means to get best possible treatment should they become infected. Some countries are unfortunately not rich enough to have all the equipment needed for their population.
Take care

 

[matt4x4]

No need to lock up 26" bicycles, its so outdated "they" say. Old geo, outdated parts, no roll over capability blah blah blah blah. Well 26" do have a point, and the point of 26'ers is to ride and have fun!

 

[6D ATB-1T EVO]

No need to lock up 26" bicycles, its so outdated "they" say. Old geo, outdated parts, no roll over capability blah blah blah blah. Well 26" do have a point, and the point of 26'ers is to ride and have fun!

Why do I not agree with you?
I lost a beautiful 26" Scott Strike HMF Carbon 2004 that was in our garage while visiting family and when we came home that was the only bike missing. So do lock up your gems when not using them.

​

 

[str8edgMTBMXer]

Why do I not agree with you?
I lost a beautiful 26" Scott Strike HMF Carbon 2004 that was in our garage while visiting family and when we came home that was the only bike missing. So do lock up your gems when not using them.

View attachment 1334949

View attachment 1334951

View attachment 1334953​

sounds like they were watching you ride and then following you home...

 

[Reek]

I may be wrong, not for the first time and probably not the last either, but:
In my mind people still riding 26" (or 24") are mostly riding their bikes for the fun of it. Not because it is their work and they make money on it or live for it. Probably more than 90% riding bicycles are doing it because they like it or need a bit of exercise or both. Some may think that going fast is important. Some may think a lot of things. Some may not.
In the time of being locked down in many countries many will think that getting out in fresh air and having a ride on a bike would be fantastic. I am one.
Whether wheels are wide or narrow, whichever size does not matter now. We are not allowed to go out anyway.
I never wanted to be the fastest as I am not making a living on riding a bike.
The 26" wheel size bike forum is not for showing off how much better or worse different size wheels are I suppose. Maybe a forum for showing the 26" wheel size bikes that some like and some do not.

But as mentioned before: I may be wrong.

well said.

in 2017, I dropped $6000 on a Yeti SB5 27.5 after holding out with my 26ers. my riding buddies said I had to because I was missing out. the bike was great. light, stable, super efficient. I had fun that you typically have pedaling in the mountains. but 2 years later, I missed my old GT Force 26er. so I built it back up with a new fork, new shock and a 1 x 11 drive train. not as light, not as efficient. but fun and puts a grin on my face. I now ride the GT pretty much every ride, because it's fun. my $6000 wall decoration goes on a ride every once in a while mostly out of guilt. I'm slow and old but I'm really out to just have some fun. the 'comparison' between my Yeti and GT is not to say the GT is better but for me, just plain comfortable and familiar. those two things let me have that much more fun riding despite being 1.5 inches too small in the wheels. I'll be sad the day the GT breaks down or when I can no longer find tires. but for now, I'll enjoy what I have.

 

[perttime]

I ride my 26" bike(s) for fun (and local transportation).

Seems I got my rigid singlespeed Chromag Stylus build right for me, 10 years ago (after I switched to shorter stem and wider flat bar).

A review of a more recent (27.5" ) version of my frame was mentioned in another thread: "they didn't think of the Stylus as a point n shoot plow bike but more of a nimble mtb-bmx/dj on trails."

 

[kk2]

Lucky you,
My 3 26" bikes are still locked up. Nobody on trails here unless they are willing to risk a fine of up to 3000 Euro so I have not been out looking if anybody is out there.
Hope they find a cure for the virus as we can only go out with mask, gloves and 2 meters between each other and only for buying what is needed to live: food and medicine.
Some leaders in various countries do not mind risking lives of their people as long as they themselves have means to get best possible treatment should they become infected. Some countries are unfortunately not rich enough to have all the equipment needed for their population.
Take care

Have no idea where you live but in my country and state USA - Michigan despite the lockdown riding the bikes has been allowed as it grants enough distancing. Looks like there might be some positive side health effect coming from the Covid as people try to enjoy more outdoors now.

 

[perttime]

In many parts, including my home Finland, bike shops are among the few businesses that have been thriving during this virus thing.

Our "big cities" aren't all that big by most standards. Most can get their social distancing by getting outdoors.

I just got back from a little ride between the suburbs. The closest I got to another human were:
- a man walking his dog on the same trail
- a man walking past when I was stopped at a wide trail junction, making up my mind which way to go
- a couple of young ladies walking past at that same trail junction

 

[6D ATB-1T EVO]

Have no idea where you live but in my country and state USA - Michigan despite the lockdown riding the bikes has been allowed as it grants enough distancing. Looks like there might be some positive side health effect coming from the Covid as people try to enjoy more outdoors now.

Have no idea if should say lucky you living in a wealthy country that can afford to give its citizens all the assistance they need or unlucky you living in a country where the leaders care about themselves and have no interest in helping the people that need help.
Here in Spain government is not helping enough but it could be due to lacking funds.
Another positive is that air pollution in the biggest cities is so much reduced that it no longer is unhealthy to go outside. Barcelona, Madrid, Paris.

​