650b

mandi said:
The XS Niner I rode at SSAP this year was almost perfect. Thankfully the good guys at Niner let me ride it for a while. Although I was able to ride it, it was clearly not right for me. I felt like I was steering a Semi through the woods... I couldn't imagine it at 6MR!

If I didn't put so much money into my 26" stuff, I would look into the 650b thing. I would definitely be interested on seeing the difference between the two. But my little ass should probably just stick to the small wheels.
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I have been mentally playing around this bike in mind for a while now. The XS EMD...

Considering that I have about one or two mtb races pencilled into my calendar this year, it is not a priority.
 
My 650b...
On One whippet frame built up as a 1x10. 20.6lbs rolls nice and very flickable.
Would not change much at all from what I built, super fun bike that fits me perfectly.
 

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Aboutime said:
My 650b...
On One whippet frame built up as a 1x10. 20.6lbs rolls nice and very flickable.
Would not change much at all from what I built, super fun bike that fits me perfectly.
Click to expand...

They don't list a 27.5 Whippet so assuming its a 26 converted? What size rear tire and how's the clearance? Dedicated 27.5 fork or again 26?
Thanks, it's got me thinking. Really nice setup there.
 
Yup it's a convert. The whippet has tons of rear mud clearance with 26" and popping in a 27.5" tire "looks" like it was made for it. Pretty sure a 2.2 or 2.3 would fit back there but I went with 2.1 Rocket Ron's front and rear setup tubeless. They were the closest match I could find to my favorite old 26" tires grip wise.

The fork is a Manitou r7 that I've had for sometime not a dedicated 27.5 fork. That was the one big unknown, and was fully prepped to buy a fox or Reba if it had any fit issues at all. The arch clears, and aired down fully compressed the crown clears fine. (See attached image) I've yet to induce enough flex in the wheel to rub or buzz the tire. But still may upgrade the fork at some point just because.

I didn't run this build very long on 26" tires as it was sorta started with going 650 at some point in time in the back of the mind. But none of the nimbleness has been lost.
 
Aboutime said:
Yup it's a convert. The whippet has tons of rear mud clearance with 26" and popping in a 27.5" tire "looks" like it was made for it. Pretty sure a 2.2 or 2.3 would fit back there but I went with 2.1 Rocket Ron's front and rear setup tubeless. They were the closest match I could find to my favorite old 26" tires grip wise.

The fork is a Manitou r7 that I've had for sometime not a dedicated 27.5 fork. That was the one big unknown, and was fully prepped to buy a fox or Reba if it had any fit issues at all. The arch clears, and aired down fully compressed the crown clears fine. (See attached image) I've yet to induce enough flex in the wheel to rub or buzz the tire. But still may upgrade the fork at some point just because.

I didn't run this build very long on 26" tires as it was sorta started with going 650 at some point in time in the back of the mind. But none of the nimbleness has been lost.
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Geez, I totally forgot I asked about this. It looks really in proportion too. Too bad they're out of the black right now, only the white/red.
Thanks for the info, bike came out great!
 
Whaaat?! Nice. Have time to elaborate? These B bikes are too much coin for me. Its pretty ridiculous they think they can charge a crazy premium gor 1.5 more inches
 
THATmanMANNY said:
Whaaat?! Nice. Have time to elaborate? These B bikes are too much coin for me. Its pretty ridiculous they think they can charge a crazy premium gor 1.5 more inches
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Especially for a difference you cannot feel. I road the Burner and 5 Spot back to back and could not feel the difference at all. Not like going from 26 to 29, that was major. Then again these are 5.5 inch travel bikes with 150mm up front, do you actually thing you're going to notice going 26 to 27.5 with that much travel? I actually thought the Spot climbed a little better. Ended up getting the Spot and am very happy with it, paid 1G less than the Burner.
 
Yesterday was my first time riding my 650b hardtail at the sourlands on some legit rocks. It definitely made things easier. Not sure if its because I upped my riding this past month or the wheel size but it climbed briskly and didn't get locked up in some gaps. However, it still isn't the same when you are jumping. But I can't say for sure since my HT only has 90mm travel, 90mm stem, and racing geo. I'm gonna throw the 26 rear back on when I get a chance. I think I will find myself more comfortable for the recreational riding I do by bringing back the BB a bit closer to where it was and slacking the head angle by running 650b up front.
 
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