[Steve Adams]

Because...F you! that's why! ha ha. I have 26'rs because I rode them when I was "younger". When I got into mountain bikes, they were all that were available. My my "heros" were on 26's. Now, I am older, and I am starting to collect old school SPECIALIZED bikes, I have my 96 hopper, and I am starting to gather older stuff...2000 and before. Kleins, Old yeti arc, giant carbons etc are on my hunting list as well. Whatever cool old stuff and parts I can find from the golden years of MTB bikes!

 

[Mr Pig]

I don't think 29er bikes will ever be cool. No matter what. Ever.

 

[OlMarin]

If you find that magic frame, rebuild it fo sho, yo!

I've built mine 7 different ways since 2008...and each rendition has been fun!!

Versatile hardtail equally adept at XC, Freeride, all mountain, rigid, 160mm squish, and everything in between.

Worth the build!

I don't feel like the Lone Ranger now. Mentioned earlier I've had OlMarin now for 25 years. It just fits. And I haven't been able to make the B/B shell oblong yet. Frame's still good in spite of the bazillion miles on it.

 

[Cornfield]

I don't think 29er bikes will ever be cool. No matter what. Ever.

You just haven't ridden a good one yet. On mine I forget about the wagon wheels once I'm in the saddle, yee-haw!

 

[kapusta]

You just haven't ridden a good one yet. On mine I forget about the wagon wheels once I'm in the saddle, yee-haw!

Still not cool.

 

[Cornfield]

Still not cool.

Not even a little bit?

 

[Steve Adams]

All bikes are cool.....that's the cool thing about them!

 

[kapusta]

Not even a little bit?

No.

They are the elastic waist pants of wheel sizes.

Comfortable, practical, arguably superior, no logical reason to avoid them, and some day you WILL break down and get them.... but totally uncool.

 

[leeboh]

Not sure I follow your point.

Measure the outside diameter of a 27.5 with a 2.1 race slick on it versus 26 x2.5 tire? Going to be close.

 

[leeboh]

I don't think 29er bikes will ever be cool. No matter what. Ever.

Until you stop doing endos through rock gardens cuz 29ers roll great in the chunk. Plus @ 6'4" I don't look like I'm a clown on those tiny bikes at the circus. I'll settle for less goofy?

 

[291748]

No.

They are the elastic waist pants of wheel sizes.

Comfortable, practical, arguably superior, no logical reason to avoid them, and some day you WILL break down and get them.... but totally uncool.

Perfect match for my Velcro sneakers.

 

[leeboh]

Geometry and frame design have way more influence on how a bike handles/rolls over things than wheel size.

Unless the wheels are 3" bigger. Math and such ya know.

 

[Cornfield]

Unless the wheels are 3" bigger. Math and such ya know.

It's actually closer to 2". I have a 26" wheel that measures 26.75" and a 29" wheel that is a hair over 29", both wheels have 2.4" Chunky Monkeys.

While the 29" wheel will technically roll over obstacles better than a 26" wheel, geometry plays a more important role in how the bike goes over obstacles. A 26" downhill bike should go over obstacles better than a 700c road bike, no?

 

[dirtrider76]

It's actually closer to 2". I have a 26" wheel that measures 26.75" and a 29" wheel that is a hair over 29", both wheels have 2.4" Chunky Monkeys.

While the 29" wheel will technically roll over obstacles better than a 26" wheel, geometry plays a more important role in how the bike goes over obstacles. A 26" downhill bike should go over obstacles better than a 700c road bike, no?

You realize they are racing 29" DH bikes now right? Like killing it on them, taking podiums.

 

[tjchad]

there is no trend towards designing BBs higher for 27.5 than for 26

And isn't it very common to see the 27.5" frame with a lower BB height than a 26"? Usually stated as being done for more stability due to a lower BB height? For example, the 2015 Chromag Stylus 26er has a BB height of 12.9" / 328mm while the 2017 Chromag Stylus 27.5 has a BB height of 12.6" / 319mm. 9mm lower on the 27.5 frame.

 

[Cornfield]

You realize they are racing 29" DH bikes now right? Like killing it on them, taking podiums.

Yes.

 

[kapusta]

Measure the outside diameter of a 27.5 with a 2.1 race slick on it versus 26 x2.5 tire? Going to be close.

So?

That's like saying a short guy on stilts is the same height as a tall guy with flat shoes.

 

[Cornfield]

So?

That's like saying a short guy on stilts is the same height as a tall guy with flat shoes.

Now I'm picturing these guys in elastic waist pants and Velcro shoes.

 

[ehosey2]

I have just ridden 18 miles at Freedom Park in Williamsburg VA. I am still using my massively upgraded 1999 GT I-Drive. Not only was it a ton of fun but the 2 friends I was with who have a 29er and 27.5er were thoroughly impressed with my old 26er's capabilities.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[richj8990]

Measure the outside diameter of a 27.5 with a 2.1 race slick on it versus 26 x2.5 tire? Going to be close.

I'm going to try a 26 x 2.4 inch tire later on the front, I'm only doing a Kenda 1.95 inch in the front right now and it can struggle on rocky stuff downhill. As for 29" bikes being cool, the coolest bikes are the most underrated bikes, so by that rationale 26" bikes are now cooler and will continue to get cooler. Again, not to change the subject twice but has anyone tried to put on a 27.5" fork and a 27.5" tire on a 26" bike and leave the back 26" tire stock? I assume if no response, the answer is no, it's impossible or it just doesn't work off road.