...27.5ers are a definite difference from 26ers, and 26ers are still around and some prefer them.
Really? An entire 1/2 inch increase in rollover is a definite difference?
That's not water in your camel back, it's a MTB manufacture marketing department's cool aid. Marketing is a powerful thing.
And their not 27.5". 650b is only 1" bigger in diameter than a 26" wheel which equals 1/2 inch increase in rollover. Stop implying that 650b is 1.5" lager wheel diameter than a 26er:madman:
As fas as "26ers are still around"; umm, the vast majority of mtbs ridden to this day are 26ers, so ya, duh there still around.
Those who have been around riding for more than a few years have known for a long time, if you want more rollover and more traction without extreme weight, put some single ply 2.5" tires on your 26er.
This gives better traction than a 2.2" 650b tire, since the contact patch on the 26" 2.5" is bigger and you can run lower PSI than the 650b 2.2".
The rollover is virtually the same and even though the 26er 2.5" may weigh 100-150g more than the 650b 2.2", the 26er wheel weighs less so the overall weight is about the same. But since the 650b has longer spokes the 26er wheel is stiffer and will accelerate better since more of 650bs weight is pushed out further from the center of the wheel.
There are a few 2.4" 650b tires(and I mean a few cause 650b tire selection is a joke especially when compared to 26er and even 29ers) but that will add more tire weight than the 26er 2.5" along with heavier wheels with the weight further out from the center. Regardless, the 650b 2.4" will only add about 1/4" to 1/3" more rollover than the 26er with 2.5" tires. Whoop de do.
Can't get a 650b 2.5" tire, cause like I said 650b tire selection is a joke.
And I have tried all 3 wheel sizes, but could not tell any difference between the 650b and my 26er which I ride with 2.5" front and 2.4" rear.
Now my 29er, that's a definite difference over a 26er.