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The short story: I bought a 29er.
The long story:
I am fortunate enough that I was able to spend over 5k on a bike. That gave me a whole lot of options and a very difficult decision to make.
I was 90% sure I was going to by a 27.5, since I have a 29er, and a 26er, and the size seems logical. Since I like 26 and 29, the idea of "best of both worlds" made sense.
I was shopping for a trail bike, or maybe its called Enduro now, or a light All Mountain? I don't even know how they are categorized anymore, but something along the lines of 125mm to 140 mm of travel.
You have to remember that all my opinions are based on my preferences for my style of riding, no one else's.
I like to ride to get out into the wilderness, and for exercise. I am not big downhill screamer, or air catcher, jumper, dropper, or anything like that, but some of my usual trails are very rocky and technical. So, the travel range was chosen to help with the technical stuff, and to ease the jolting on my ageing body, and just because I thought it would be fun since I have never owned a bike with more than 100 mm travel.
27.5's I tested: Turner Burner, Trek Remedy, Norco Sight, Yeti SB 75, Santa Cruz Bronson and 5010.
Bike I bought: Tallboy LTc
My conclusions were that these 27.5 bikes were all great and I would be happy with any of them. But they didn't feel as light and nimble as my 26er.
On the other hand, the Tallboy smashes over rocks or curbs much more easily that the 27.5's, even though it has a bit less travel.
I came to the conclusion that I was not going to have the best of both worlds. I think the 29er gives me more of what I need, and will be better on the uphills than those others. I think it will be more efficient of a ride overall, with lower rolling resistance, efficient suspension, and better rolloverability.
If I was more of jumper, downhiller, dropper, fast rider type of guy, I think 26ers are still the best, and it is a shame they are currently out of favor in this category for heavier, bigger, less nimble 27.5ers.
I understand how the 27.5 will appeal to many people who want a blend of the strengths of the other 2 wheel sizes, but I think many riders should understand that their personal style may very well fit most perfectly with 29 or with 26, and the 27.5 ends up being a compromise that makes you give up more than you get. (Again, depending on your style).
You can do anything on any bike. They are all a compromise. My perfect compromise (I hope) was with a 29er.
The long story:
I am fortunate enough that I was able to spend over 5k on a bike. That gave me a whole lot of options and a very difficult decision to make.
I was 90% sure I was going to by a 27.5, since I have a 29er, and a 26er, and the size seems logical. Since I like 26 and 29, the idea of "best of both worlds" made sense.
I was shopping for a trail bike, or maybe its called Enduro now, or a light All Mountain? I don't even know how they are categorized anymore, but something along the lines of 125mm to 140 mm of travel.
You have to remember that all my opinions are based on my preferences for my style of riding, no one else's.
I like to ride to get out into the wilderness, and for exercise. I am not big downhill screamer, or air catcher, jumper, dropper, or anything like that, but some of my usual trails are very rocky and technical. So, the travel range was chosen to help with the technical stuff, and to ease the jolting on my ageing body, and just because I thought it would be fun since I have never owned a bike with more than 100 mm travel.
27.5's I tested: Turner Burner, Trek Remedy, Norco Sight, Yeti SB 75, Santa Cruz Bronson and 5010.
Bike I bought: Tallboy LTc
My conclusions were that these 27.5 bikes were all great and I would be happy with any of them. But they didn't feel as light and nimble as my 26er.
On the other hand, the Tallboy smashes over rocks or curbs much more easily that the 27.5's, even though it has a bit less travel.
I came to the conclusion that I was not going to have the best of both worlds. I think the 29er gives me more of what I need, and will be better on the uphills than those others. I think it will be more efficient of a ride overall, with lower rolling resistance, efficient suspension, and better rolloverability.
If I was more of jumper, downhiller, dropper, fast rider type of guy, I think 26ers are still the best, and it is a shame they are currently out of favor in this category for heavier, bigger, less nimble 27.5ers.
I understand how the 27.5 will appeal to many people who want a blend of the strengths of the other 2 wheel sizes, but I think many riders should understand that their personal style may very well fit most perfectly with 29 or with 26, and the 27.5 ends up being a compromise that makes you give up more than you get. (Again, depending on your style).
You can do anything on any bike. They are all a compromise. My perfect compromise (I hope) was with a 29er.