i didn't convert but i did go from a 26'' jamis xam to a 27.5 trek remedy. the difference in wheel size is not what impressed me. the stiffness, geometry, and overall package blew me away. so long story short, for me, no.

but if you need new wheels/ fork anyways thats a different question...

 

Looking for feedback from those who have converted their 26 inch made bike to run 27.5 wheels. I'm just trying to gather feedback and determine if spending a bunch of money on new wheels and tires...and likely a new fork is worth it.

Does the 1.5 inch of additional tire diameter make that big of a difference? I get a sense that it really doesn't make a big difference...but I also haven't rode a 27.5 bike yet!

I get the fact that from 26 to 29 is quite a difference....as I have rode 29 before, but I'm just thinking the 1.5 in additional wheel won't be a big change up from 26.

For what it is worth I ride a 2011 Felt Q720.

The diameter is really only an inch difference. Have you tried some larger tires first, like a light 2.3"?

 

You mean like most people are running already?

Why do you keep bringing this up in countless threads as if there aren't 2.3+ sized tires for 27.5?

What's next, harping on the 2.5 ounce difference between a 26 and 27.5 wheelset/tire combo?

 

Not yet, that is also something I've been contemplating/considering as well. Any good 2.3 tires suggestions?

 

I like Conti and Maxxis.

 

I've got a MUSS that I converted to 650b, and in my case they are better than the 26s. The bike is rigid, so I can't speak to the slight changes one may have to make to the suspension. If you have a riding partner that you can schmooze or barter for some time on their wheels, try that if you're concerned about the money. I wouldn't hesitate to make the switch again.
That said, it is all about the frame/fork tolerances and if you're riding more narrow tires than you would normally to get the fit, then the conversion may not be all you hoped it would be. Good luck on your decision. Happy rollin'!

 

I converted my Mojo SL from 26 to 650b. Ended up regretting it. Was forced to run a narrow tire in the rear, shim my shock for reduced travel, and the bottom bracket height was raised considerably. Ended up selling the bike and bought a Tracer 275.


As far as noticing a difference with the 650b rolling over obstacles easier, I can't tell a big difference. The only noticeable difference is the 650b seems to maintain speed easier and feels more stable at higher speeds.

On the plus side, the 650B doesn't feel any less agile or playful.

 

Do not be fooled by the people who tell you the difference between 26 and 650b/27.5 is only marginal.
I guarantee you they are wrong.
The added stability, traction and confidence is immediately noticeable and very, very impressive. And unlike jumping to a 29er, the bike retains the nimble, agile and most importantly fun feeling of 26ers. In fact it becomes even more fun because it is lively AND more able to get over obstacles.
And for those who argue 'just get a large 26 tire': When I had my 26 I rode the Conti TK 2.4, about the largest diameter 26 trail bike tire you can find.
It is a solid inch and up to 1 1/2 smaller than a 650b. And that's a huge diameter 26 tire.
Do not for a second think that that inch does not make a huge difference.

 

Do not for a second think that that inch does not make a huge difference.

That's what she said. But seriously the difference for me was less the roll over and more how much easier it is to maintain speed. Also completely agree that a well executed 27.5 feels agile, nimble and fun. 29ers not so much in my experience.

 

27.5 in current production are generally of the latest technology. Of course the latest bikes are technologically most advanced. Those effects cannot be disputed.

I rode the same 26" Steel racing hard tail for 15 years. My new bike is a 27.5 Carbon Anthem and I was careful to make sure that the geometry would work for me. My comparison says that there is a a notable difference in wheel sizes in terms of roll, grip, and the feel during acceleration. Yet it doesn't have the floppy feel of the 29 or the weight.

 

OF all of my bikes, I have 4 Intense bikes. 2ea. 5.5's (26") 1ea. 575 (27.5) and 1ea. spyder 29er. I think I am a very good judge of wheel sizes. My most fun bike is the 575/27.5. I first tried 27.5 wheels on my spyder 29er. It felt werd just riding it at normal speeds on twisting singletrack. I then added the 275 kit to my 575 (rear axle kit and a 27.5 fork). That change made the most fun bike I have ever rode. I still take my 5.5's (1 polished & 1 red) out to just remind me how much fun the 27.5 wheel size is. This is only my opion.

 

At it again huh Turbo? Every day, just typing in 650B or 27.5 into the search, and then jumping in the threads that pop up to do your part to disparage the wheel size.

There has to be something else you contribute to the board right? I struggle to understand why the mods wouldn't grow weary of how you go to such lengths to derail threads like you do.

I think you're dead on. He should buy a 26" bike and go with a hybrid tire. That should mesh really well with what he's wanting to ride.

I don't think you even read the OP. You just jump in, stir up poop, and then see who takes another step toward carpal tunnel syndrome responding.

Did a guy named twenty seven five steal your girlfriend or something? WTH man?

 

At it again huh Turbo? Every day, just typing in 650B or 27.5 into the search, and then jumping in the threads that pop up to do your part to disparage the wheel size.

There has to be something else you contribute to the board right? I struggle to understand why the mods wouldn't grow weary of how you go to such lengths to derail threads like you do.

I think you're dead on. He should buy a 26" bike and go with a hybrid tire. That should mesh really well with what he's wanting to ride.

I don't think you even read the OP. You just jump in, stir up poop, and then see who takes another step toward carpal tunnel syndrome responding.

Did a guy named twenty seven five steal your girlfriend or something? WTH man?

Hold on there newbie. Did you even read this thead or the original post before bringing in your baseless accusations? Are you sure you're not a sock puppet or industry shill?

Original poster has a "2011 Felt Q720", I actually bothered to look it up. Maybe try that before SPEWING ABOUT how awesome 650b is?

2011 Felt Q720 - BikePedia

Now, this is a $999 bike that's 3 model years old (gasp). I've been told in other threads on this very forum that bikes under $1000 aren't serious mountain bikes, and that people here don't buy them. Sorry, OP.

https://forums.mtbr.com/27-5-650b/27-5-bikes-ruining-my-self-esteem-924912-22.html#post11588632

Just kidding. People who dismiss entry level bikes are idiots. Not everybody can afford (or is dumb enough) to buy a $3000 bike. Its perfectly acceptable to mountain bike on a Huffy, Next, or $200 Giant - just don't expect the performance or durablity out of them. There are tons of casual (or semi serious) riders out there on $500-$1000 bikes.

Anyway. OP, in all seriousness, stop listening to the hype machine. Dropping $350+ on that bike to get to a larger wheel size is not going to make the bike better - only different. Not to mention, you are probably going to have a very tough time fitting a decent width 27.5" tire on it.

This is an entry level bike, it has basic 26x2.1" heavy steel bead tires on it and 200g tubes. Upgrading to a nice quality 26x2.2-2.4" with tubeless is going to provide more performance over rough terrain, a smoother ride, more grip, better rollover, with virtually no weight gain. For a cost of around $100 or so.

If you're looking for more XC race performance, by all means get a light set of 650b wheels and some 27.5x1.9" semislicks, strava, and learn to enjoy the term "dirt roadie".

 

I didn't have to have anything man. I wanted a new bike. I went to the shops. I researched online. The new Trail/AM category is almost all 27.5. I guess I could have gotten another used 26" bike, but after all the stuff I had to replace on the first one, I wasn't too excited about that prospect.

But...now that I have it, all of my fastest times are on it, and I prefer riding it. It doesn't matter what you call me...I like the bike, and I'm faster on it, and I have more fun on it. What's not to like other than you wrecking threads?

FYI. I rode extensively back in the 90's. I just a little break of about 20 years. I could probably ride almost as fast if I still had my old chromoly 1994 Trek 930 at this point in the proceedings, but that's not the point of this discussion anymore than putting 29" street tires on a 26" bike.

 

3 years on a converted Prophet with 2.3 Neo-Motos front and back. Totally transformed the bike, though that may have more to do with the lighter wheels and faster tires. And I went tubeless at the same time. As for a 2.3 tire, I recommend the Neo Motos very highly. I had 2.35 Kenda Nevegals on Mavic Crossride rear and 819 front. The Nevegals are not fast. I am looking to upgrade to 35 or 40mm carbon rims. I like the clearance with the higher BB on my converted 9 year old bike.

 

I converted to a my 2011 Range to 650 b and couldn't be happier with the result. It climbs tech trails and rolls over things Better than it used to. Is it a huge improvement? No, it is not, but definitely noticeable and worth it. The higher bottom bracket is very noticeable on steep decents, but still manageable. I like the bike better for trail riding, which is what I built it for.

 

As long as you do your homework before you make the plunge it could be worth it. i just converted my bike to a 27.5 and couldnt be happier. i was able to test it out first with a friends wheelset before i made my decision. my particular frame does not limit my tire size as much. and i have a 650b fork on the front as well.

 

I converted my SC Blur XCc to 27.5 back in 2011 and never looked back, this bike is so much better in 27.5 than as a 26er. I run AM Classic wheels with Schwalbe 2.25 Racing Ralph tires, which measure out exactly to 27.5". I used this bike mostly for racing XC, which I was very successful on, but now use it mostly for trail riding( didnt race this year). With the conversion, I never encounted any negitives such as clearence or a too high bb, I believe that with the bigger wheels, the bb is a perfect height.

 

Haven't heard a conversion question on this forum in a few years. In 2010-2011, before purpose made 2 7.5" bikes became common, 26" conversions were quite popular among readers of this forum. Generally cheaper to convert an existing bike than buying a new one. But not easier. Many HT 26" frames fit 27.5" wheels, many do not. See if you can borrow a rear wheel from your favorite shop to determine if it will fit your frame with enough clearance to permit even a muddy 27. 5" wheel to spin between the chainstays particularly where they meet the downtube. 1/4" is about how much my conversion has with clean tire. That's sufficient. More difficult to fit 27.5" wheels to 26" forks. First the wheel has to fit underneath the brace. Even if it does, next question: does the crown clear the tire if the fork suspension bottoms out? If not you've got a death trap. IIRC, a few Fox and X- Fusion forks fit the bill. I converted my 1X9 Chinese carbon HT in 2011 out of curiosity about this wheel size. In those days the 650b wheel was generally denigrated by the entire bike industry. If you wanted a larger than 26" wheel you rode a 29'er period. There was zero hype and zero marketing for 27.5" then. It was a big joke. There were a few rims, ZTR, WTB, and Velocity. Because I could I built myself a wheel set with Velocity Blunt rims. I bought an X-Fusion Velvet fork. Then I had a functional 27.5" bike , albeit with a bb about an inch higher than before.

Very subjective as to how much a difference over 26" wheels you get with 27.5" You can see huge differences in opinions reading through the posts in this thread. Word to the wise , Turbodog is a troll whose ravings should be taken with a grain of salt. Only you can decide. You'd be better served demoing a purpose built 27.5" bike than converting a 26" before you know whether you like it.

 

Looking for feedback from those who have converted their 26 inch made bike to run 27.5 wheels. I'm just trying to gather feedback and determine if spending a bunch of money on new wheels and tires...and likely a new fork is worth it.

Does the 1.5 inch of additional tire diameter make that big of a difference? I get a sense that it really doesn't make a big difference...but I also haven't rode a 27.5 bike yet!

I get the fact that from 26 to 29 is quite a difference....as I have rode 29 before, but I'm just thinking the 1.5 in additional wheel won't be a big change up from 26.

For what it is worth I ride a 2011 Felt Q720.

It's not 1.5 inches.

The rims are exactly 1 inch bigger than 26 inch. The 0.5 is nothing but marketing bs.

 

People get this wrong all the time. The facts are that 27.5 IS REALLY 27.5 and that 26 is ACTUALLY 26.5. There's your inch. The wheel diameter measurements are NOT derived from the rims, but the rims with tires mounted and inflated. Not an exact science due to tire variations. But if you get out your tape measure and measure some wheels you will find that 26.5", 27.5" and 29" pretty consistently hold in the real world, subject to Jeff's observations.

Take these to the bank:

"26 and 27.5 wheels actually only an inch different from each other, not one and a half inch different" is a true statement. "27.5 is not 27.5 and 27.5' is only marketing BS" is false. "27.5' wheels are exactly half way in between 26' and 29' wheels" is false.

 

Dougal, so if you say is true, its not the 650b/ 27.5 that is marketed wrong, its 26" that has it wrong, because most 27.5" wheels/ tires are either just below 27.5 or up to tad over 28", while most 26ers are over 26" and up to just below 27.5". 29ers have it wrong also, 28.5" to close to 29.5", of course there are varibles depending on rim width and so on.

 

People get this wrong all the time. The facts are that 27.5 IS REALLY 27.5 and that 26 is ACTUALLY 26.5. There's your inch. The wheel diameter measurements are NOT derived from the rims, but the rims with tires mounted and inflated. Not an exact science due to tire variations. But if you get out your tape measure and measure some wheels you will find that 26.5", 27.5" and 29" pretty consistently hold in the real world, subject to Jeff's observations.

Take these to the bank:

"26 and 27.5 wheels actually only an inch different from each other, not one and a half inch different" is a true statement. "27.5 is not 27.5 and 27.5' is only marketing BS" is false. "27.5' wheels are exactly half way in between 26' and 29' wheels" is false.

26 inch wheels use 22 inch rims. The 26 inch diameter is true with 2 inch tall tyres fitted.

27 inch wheels use 23 inch rims. Exactly one inch bigger.

Tyres fitted can vary hugely.

*edit*
Just for completeness. 29" rims are 24.5" diameter.

So running equivalent tyres, there is exactly 1" between 26 and 27 inch wheels. There is 1.5 inch between 27 and 29 inch.

Personally I think we should size them like motorbike and car wheels. Rim size, tyre width and tyre profile.
Gotta get me some 22-55/80's.

 

I think I'll just go ahead and state the obvious here:

Unless you just started riding mtb within the past 5 years or so, we're pretty much all converts from 26. (Except for a few of you weirdos)

 

Thought I would post a picture I took earlier this year. Not trying to prove a point or pick a side but might help the op visualize. This is my 26x2.5 minion dhf next to a 27.5x2.3 Hans dempf. This is the wheel set I used to test out my own conversion

 

In before Turbodog comes along to use this to support his vendetta.

More than the size, I think it comes down to technology. There just aren't many Enduro/AM/Trail options out there that aren't 27.5. If someone has a decked out 26" Transition Covert for example, should they rush out and buy a new Patrol just to get into the 27.5 tire category? I dunno...but for a new rider who wants a bike in those categories, you'd almost have to special order anything in 26".

For whatever reason, that point hasn't resonated with "some people." I'm the first to admit that I initially walked into the LBS focusing on the 29'ers. Then I thought to myself, "Well...I rarely get into anything without going pretty much full bore, so maybe I should try a cheap used bike, see how I like it, and that will help me decide." Enter 26" 2011 RockHopper experiment, which made me QUICKLY realize that what I enjoyed doing did not line up with a 29'er.

It's subjective unless you're on the extreme and looking for one attribute, and usually at a high level. I'm a scratch golfer, but I'm probably a 25 handicap at Mtn. Biking. I could hit two drivers that are supposedly the exact same specs from the factory, and I could tell differences in them. I can ride my Mountain bike with the rear shock on Trail mode, and then ride the same section on Descend, and there's a good chance I can't tell you they were different if you didn't tell me first.