[Mdp3612]

I have no need for a new bike and plan on riding mine into the ground. My son has a 29er and I really see no difference when we go riding.

 

[TheJesusfreak]

Because I started with a used frame (08 5-spot) and built and upgraded it piece by piece over time... It may be a bitzer, but it's like an extension of me now and I will keep it until it breaks or I do...

That said, I've never owned a vehicle (2 or 4 wheels) that I haven't modified extensively and become overly attached too... I just get way to sentimental about nuts and bolts

 

[OlMarin]

I have no need for a new bike and plan on riding mine into the ground. My son has a 29er and I really see no difference when we go riding.

Many people feel the need to own the latest, whiz bang stuff. Is it any better? For them, maybe. For me, no. I'm happy with my 27 year old Marin. If anybody says I'm 'outdated' they can go have carnal knowledge of themselves

 

[Cornfield]

If anybody says I'm 'outdated' they can go have carnal knowledge of themselves

Quote of the day! lol

 

[str8edgMTBMXer]

Step sons first "real bike" bought with part of his own money ---> 26" Fuji
Step sons first real trail ride ---> on 26
me with him on my good old 1994 Trek 26er
beginning of a lifetime of riding and bonding with each other
...enough of a "point" for me...

 

[MASC1104]

My bank account is not subject to fashion trends.
The Knolly is a 26 and I don't think I'm going to outlast or "outskill" that frame.

+1. My 2007 Yeti 575 with its 68 degree HTA and 430 mm chainstays refuses to let itself be considered "obsolete".

 

[schwangster]

Great read.
In 29 years of riding I've had all the sizes (even an old 28"wheeled Czech road bike.
Most of the mountain bikes were 26", some steel hardtails, then 3 SC Hecklers on 26".
Went 29" carbon HT 6 years ago, which was really fast, and really scary for the North Shore riding I do.
Went to a 650B full suspension 3 years ago, and really like it. Rolls over everything and made me a way better descender, at 55 years old.
Son decided to join the fun, so he picked up a used 2011 SC Nomad, with light 26" wheels. It's about 4 lbs lighter than mine, but less travel.

Final verdict- I use his Nomad whenever possible. Way more 'playful', as the experts like to say. Feels way lighter, and descends very well. I'm fastest on it, and he kicks my butt when he's on it. For $1800 I would say he won the arguement in our house.

Still want a 26" Ti HT someday.....

 

[Bob_Preskit]

Lightweight and acceleration

A couple reasons: I started out riding 26" so that's what I prefer. Also weight savings and acceleration. I have a Cannondale hardtail (M) from '99 that is nearly sub-20 pounds with just a few carbon parts (bars and seatpost). It accelerates like a rocket and climbs easily for me. For someone who has only ridden a 29 and then hops on my bike, I hear both complaints and compliments. The main complaint is that it feels too twitchy and "out of control" for them on fast choppy descents, to the point where they were downright scared. Alternately they were simply blown away at how fast it accelerates after hard braking and exiting flat corners. Overall, most 29 only riders said it was borderline too sketchy to ride and not fun for them. For me, it's as fun and comfortable as I can get. I'll keep pedaling it until I can no longer get my tires of choice. I don't have a problem with choices. IE: 29, 27.5, and 26. Just don't eliminate one for the other.

 

[skankingbiker]

They work. They are fun. Since I have not had the time for many club/group rides the last few years, I find myself less and less having PBS or yearning for n+1 and am able to just enjoy what i have.

 

[Rooney]

have an '08 Haro Shift R3 for 7 years, if I have to replace it, it'll be a new Shift S3, which is a 27.5, providing it doesn't ride really different. i'm not really into the size debate, but if it works at the size, then great!

 

[kapusta]

Because I would need to go out and spend $4,000 to get a new 27.5" bike comparable to this one.

$4k just to get a different wheel size? I don't think so.

 

[crewjones]

Has nothing to do with size for me. All about $$$. I'm sure I'd be happy with other wheel sizes and when I find the right bike at a blowout deal I'll jump on it. regardless of wheel size. retail is for suckers

 

[Jack Burns]

I am a sucker. I'm​ one of those who has a plus bike with three wheelsets for different tire sizes! Aye aye aye!

But most of the time I ride 26 because I dig it.

Then when I get on the puffy plus bike or the rollover 29er, it's like being in vacation.

Usually though, it's all about the 26" SS.

26 FOREVER!

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

 

[crewjones]

Not really, I was just joking. That's what's nice about being a grown up, we can spend our money however we want. unless you're married

 

[OlMarin]

Because I would need to go out and spend $4,000 to get a new 27.5" bike comparable to this one.

$4k just to get a different wheel size? I don't think so.

Has nothing to do with size for me. All about $$$. I'm sure I'd be happy with other wheel sizes and when I find the right bike at a blowout deal I'll jump on it. regardless of wheel size. retail is for suckers

For me it is ALL about $$$. I didn't retire early by spending all my money on things I don't need.

 

[TDLover]

I own a top of the line XC 26 bike, because I like to mock my friends, it also makes me unique in the group as no ones ride a 26 anymore. They are also always wondering how a 26er can outride them, flats included.

 

[tomfitz]

I found a 2012 model of my favorite so I will enjoy it for eternity. FTW

 

[OlMarin]

I've been watching the wheels market. You can still get quite a variety and get into the good sh/um stuff without having to build your own wheels.

 

[crewjones]

For me it is ALL about $$$. I didn't retire early by spending all my money on things I don't need.

OlMarin I like the way you think. I'm debt free and buy almost everything used. I hope to retire one day as well

 

[Ricksom]

In the beginning, mountain bikes were designed and tinkered by engineers and/or inventors with a knack for tech and a vision. Then came the big recession of 2008, and bike companies needed something new to boost sales, pushing the role of whats now product managers to create new market "categories". Armed with advanced marketing, pseudo science, and alternate facts, they created brand shiny new "holy grails" called 29ers and fat bikes.

Now both the 29er and fat bikes have their unique and special place in the biking world, but so much functionality has been sacrificed with the dropping of the 26er bike. Agility, acceleration, lightness, climbing ability, versatility, and frame stiffness, once the foundation of mountain bike tech standards, has been lost with these new bikes. 29ers and fat bikes will never achieve this in a simple and cost effective manner, hence why you have to pay so much more now to get a performance bike. You need more tech to achieve performance that was once so natural with the 26er.

I have no doubt that the 26er will return sometime in the 2020's, but first the industry will wait until most of the existing 26ers will age, disappear, and be almost forgotten to maximize full sales and profitability potential as the new "holy grail".

Welcome to the modern age of product marketing management. I've heard that the old top loading washer is back as new advanced tech...too funny :O