[RollingBuffalo]

Lookig for a hardtail around $1500 for my first mtn bike in a long time...Which bikes out there can run both wheel sizes ?

 

[RollingBuffalo]

I know Salsa Timberjack can, and I am considering that bike

 

[JimmyAsheville]

Santa Cruz Chameleon does.

 

[jcd46]

Surly Karate Monkey

 

[scottzg]

If you can run 29 why on earth would you want to use B+?

Ok i know there's weird-birds that imagine some situation where being able to swap might be valuable. Identify all 6 where that's a feature, and ignore so many great hardtails that were designed for a specific ride character. Never mind that all the 'swappable' frames are going to be on the experience-restricting XC end of the spectrum.

This is all to say i think you're starting with the wrong question.

 

[tfinator]

If you can run 29 why on earth would you want to use B+?

Ok i know there's weird-birds that imagine some situation where being able to swap might be valuable. Identify all 6 where that's a feature, and ignore so many great hardtails that were designed for a specific ride character. Never mind that all the 'swappable' frames are going to be on the experience-restricting XC end of the spectrum.

This is all to say i think you're starting with the wrong question.

We're only a few posts in, but you've already won the useless post award for the thread. Big congrats!

OP, what size 29 and for what purpose? Based on bb height changes and trail worthiness of a tire, there are different answers. Any frame that takes a 27.5x3 can take a 29x1.75 if you just want to commute, but not all of them will take a 29x2.4 if you want the alternate trail riding ability.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[scottzg]

We're only a few posts in, but you've already won the useless post award for the thread. Big congrats!

Thank you. I'd like to thank the Academy, God, and tfinator for his ability to politely upstage me. Respect!

But seriously. Identify what wheel size you want to run, figure out what frame geometry you want, and go from there. If a frame can run both wheel sizes... it's probably poorly suited to one of them. The details here are nuanced, but this is a low-value feature in the real world.

 

[LyNx]

Sorry Scott, kind of agree, just because a bike can fit both doesn't mean it can't be ridden aggressively, my 7 year old Banshee V2 Paradox can fit 2.8" B+ and 29x2.4", running B+ most definitely helps with giving a bit of cushioning in the rear, sometimes run B+ F&R, sometimes B+ rear/29x2.4" front.

So OP, basically any 29er frame with decent tyre clearance (if it can fit a 29x2.5", you should be able to fit at least a 2.8" B+), should be able to fit a B+ 2.8". Loads of options out there that can and will do both sizes, pretty much nearly any 29er frame these days, only thing you have to watch out for is BB height, as a 2.8" B+ is only about 28.5" tall, so you get some decent BB drop happening, this can be fixed if the BB is already high or by running a longer fork.

 

[Singletrackd]

If your price range is 1500 then where do you expect to get the 500$ for an extra wheel set that you can only use half the time.

Physically test ride a few tire sizes to get a feel for which tire size matches your riding style. Then spend that extra wheel set money on nicer components

To answer your original question, everyone else has been right and thanks to the fact that they are almost the same size you can always get a 29er that will fit 27+ 2.8 or you can get a 27+ that will fit 29er 2.0. Any company that produces a frame that can run both, 27+ 3.0 tires and 29 2.4, is taking some compromises on geometry to achieve the fit.

 

[VTSession]

A few Chromag models will run both but can get pricey, even with the Asian made frames.

27.5+ isn't for everyone but its worth trying out if your frame is designed for it.

 

[Rngspnr]

Reasonably priced all mountain geo both 27.5+/29.
PRIMAL PLUS 2017 | D A R T M O O R

 

[chazpat]

Kona Unit, Unit X if you want gears.

 

[pitdaddy]

I wanted the same thing with the following-

Boost (110/148) sizing
Threaded bottom bracket
Decent fork & brakes
1x11 drivetrain

Narrowed my choices to:
Kona Big Honzo
Salsa Timberjack
Santa Cruz Chameleon

Why do I want the option of 29/27.5+? I like to ride plus in the winter. It has it's trade offs. More traction, yet takes a little more effort to start up. Makes for a little smoother ride. Are there compromises? Yes. But it's my #2 bike.

Oh btw, I bought the Chameleon.

 

[93EXCivic]

If you can run 29 why on earth would you want to use B+?

Ok i know there's weird-birds that imagine some situation where being able to swap might be valuable. Identify all 6 where that's a feature, and ignore so many great hardtails that were designed for a specific ride character. Never mind that all the 'swappable' frames are going to be on the experience-restricting XC end of the spectrum.

This is all to say i think you're starting with the wrong question.

You know you are talking shite right? There are plenty frames that can run 27.5+ and 29 that are not XC end.

Nukeproof Scout, Chromags, the Chameleon, Karate Monkey, Pipedream Moxie, Kona Big Honzo, Cotic SolarisMAX and SodaMAX, Stanton Sherpa 853, Swarf Spline 29, Orange P7 29 and Crush 29, Kingdom Vendetta X2, Guerrilla Gravity Pedalhead, Production Privee Shan Gt, Nordest Barbino, Pole Taival

 

[eb1888]

Nukeproof Scout 290 Sport is 999 shipped with duties paid from CRC. Get on the email list for back in stock.
Vitus Sentier 29.
NS Eccentric

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com...8,4294966860,4294967021,4294957824,4294957821

 

[S​​usspect]

I've been running 29 x 2.6 on my 2017 Norco Torrent. I assume current models have the same great tire clearance, just from looking I think I could fit a 29 x 2.8 no problem. And it rides great with both B+ and 29. It didn't make ExCivic's list, but the Torrent is also an all-mountain hardtail.

 

[MrIcky]

RollingBuffalo- There are a LOT of HT's that support either. It would be very difficult to list them all. Considering your tagline- what brands do your LBS's carry? LyNx is right, most 29er boost frames that will take a midsize tire will handle a 27.5+ (at least a 2.8). So if that convertability is a goal, I'd be looking for a bike that has a fork that can easily be changed 10-20mm with an airshaft swap.

 

[scottzg]

You know you are talking shite right?

Nope. Accommodating both wheel sizes seems sensible when you're buying a new bike and tires are a mystery, but basically nobody ever swaps back and forth in the real world. There's lots of options that accommodate both, but they tend to be more expensive because small scale production or a yolk is expensive to implement. This is vendors responding to market forces, not a feature for riders. A frame that was designed around a specific wheel size should be cheaper and have a more clearly defined use-case. Err... superior, in theory. Many of your suggestions bump against custom frame pricing, where the move to custom is obvious. A custom builder can work around the user's fit, handling, and geometry preferences.

You guys should keep compiling a list of versatile frames. That's interesting and useful. I thought i was stating the obvious and have minimal interest in the discussion. No opinion on the 29/27+ frames that are out there; i build my own frames so i have my own opinions on the details.

Ultimately this is all details and none of it matters. Which goes to my original point- you're ignoring a lot of good bikes if you only look at ones that can fit multiple wheel sizes.

 

[93EXCivic]

Nope. Accommodating both wheel sizes seems sensible when you're buying a new bike and tires are a mystery, but basically nobody ever swaps back and forth in the real world. There's lots of options that accommodate both, but they tend to be more expensive because small scale production or a yolk is expensive to implement. This is vendors responding to market forces, not a feature for riders. A frame that was designed around a specific wheel size should be cheaper and have a more clearly defined use-case. Err... superior, in theory. Many of your suggestions bump against custom frame pricing, where the move to custom is obvious. A custom builder can work around the user's fit, handling, and geometry preferences.

You guys should keep compiling a list of versatile frames. That's interesting and useful. I thought i was stating the obvious and have minimal interest in the discussion. No opinion on the 29/27+ frames that are out there; i build my own frames so i have my own opinions on the details.

Ultimately this is all details and none of it matters. Which goes to my original point- you're ignoring a lot of good bikes if you only look at ones that can fit multiple wheel sizes.

I know several people local to me that swap back and forth between 27.5+ and 29 depending on conditions and the type of riding.

I honestly think more aggressive hardtails offer the ability to swap back and forth between the two wheel sizes then don't. I am not sure I understand what the downside to being able to run either wheel size is.

Of course all that being said I just bought a Ragley Big Wig frame which only runs 29.

 

[VTSession]

Nope. Accommodating both wheel sizes seems sensible when you're buying a new bike and tires are a mystery, but basically nobody ever swaps back and forth in the real world.

I swap back and forth all the time. My FS and hardtail both accommodate 29" and 27.5+". 27.5+ for soft conditions, early/late season debris filled trails and rocky, loose terrain. I put the 29ers on for everything else.

Having both options is great when you're encountering 4 season conditions here in Northern New England