650b
- Thread starter BonsaiMTB
- Start date
SpartaBard
Well-Known Member
Me too!
Jamis had brought a trailer filled with bikes up my way last month.. I chose the Dragon 650b for my ride of the day, I wanted to see what all the hub was bub...
I've ridden a 26er since 92, then switching over to 29 in 2010 and absolutely loved it!.. It opened up a whole new facet of riding for me, which was more conducive to how I ride.
I chose to ride the 650 so I could have the experience to be able to sell this bike with confidence.
We rode Allamuchy North (my home court)... rode all the stuff I've been riding for years for a good portion of the day. I really liked the bike, it was spec'ed pretty nice and looked sharp. Unfortunately it did not wow me in any way, shape, or form. I would say that if you are looking to move from a 26 to something different, a 650 might be a good choice, as well as someone who moved on from a 26 to a 29, but found a 29 just a little too much. For me, in my own opinion, going from being completely comfortable on a 29er, going to a 650b was like a full step backwards. I really had a hard time getting a handle on this bike in familiar surroundings....
Great bike, not my bag mang.
I've ridden a 26er since 92, then switching over to 29 in 2010 and absolutely loved it!.. It opened up a whole new facet of riding for me, which was more conducive to how I ride.
I chose to ride the 650 so I could have the experience to be able to sell this bike with confidence.
We rode Allamuchy North (my home court)... rode all the stuff I've been riding for years for a good portion of the day. I really liked the bike, it was spec'ed pretty nice and looked sharp. Unfortunately it did not wow me in any way, shape, or form. I would say that if you are looking to move from a 26 to something different, a 650 might be a good choice, as well as someone who moved on from a 26 to a 29, but found a 29 just a little too much. For me, in my own opinion, going from being completely comfortable on a 29er, going to a 650b was like a full step backwards. I really had a hard time getting a handle on this bike in familiar surroundings....
Great bike, not my bag mang.
THATmanMANNY
Well-Known Member
I've had 650bs on my 26" for a little over 3? years. They haven't come off since I put them on like J said. It rolls nice but not like a 29er. With 650bs you still feel like you have to push the bike a bit more. 29ers just go. I've HAD a few 29ers and I don't like the floppy front feeling. I prefer the quicker front end feeling of 26" or 650b's. For the several times that I find myself off the ground for 1.13 seconds, I feel more comfortable and confident on smaller wheels. That is where I enjoy riding the most.
kidzach
Well-Known Member
Being on 26" bikes my entire(7 yrs-lol ) mtb career, I would most likely just by-pass the whole 650b thing for my next bike and go 29 er.I am 6'-3" and 255lbs so for myself, I don't see the 1-1/2 " more off the ground a big deal for the 29 er never mind the very small difference the 650b would be.At the moment I love my Giant Trance x1 and see no reason for an upgrade though. But manafacturers are in the business to make money.So change in the industry will always happen.And these same manafacturers also know many of those into the whole mtb scene are often willing to upgrade and/or buy the next best thing, hell they are banking on it.I'm sure I will also be one of these same people who purchases something new long before I need to, it's in our nature , lol. I'm wiiling to bet that if/ when this change happens it will be for the better. Ride on
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alex_k
Well-Known Member
I hope that small companies like Santa Cruz, Turner will offer 26ers for a while. If not then I'll be able to get something from Europe when time comes for a new bike. They still make very nice hardtails with small wheels (my Cotic Soul) what you probably won't find in USA anymore.
jimf
Active Member
Based on the front page of the SC website that seems to be where they are leaning. The Blur TR is front and center(or was until very recently, replaced by the v10). Maybe trail and all mountain bikes will be the only option left in 26, at least I hope they keep the beefer/longer travel bikes available in 26.
Jdog, whats the inside scoop on the smaller outfits?
JDurk
Well-Known Member
Got an '07 Prophet in the garage that I'm planning to convert. Doesn't get much use since I went 29. When I do, takes awhile to get used to riding it again.
From my research, no travel reduction required. Maybe some rub on the FD.
Be interesting to see what Cannondale has planned.
From what I hear it is actually the euro market that is driving the 650b thing. Over there many think that the 29er is a USA thing.
I know it can be done on a Rush frame and maybe a prophet depending on the tire size. Run a 1x setup and f. Der issues go away.
I know it can be done on a Rush frame and maybe a prophet depending on the tire size. Run a 1x setup and f. Der issues go away.
Monkey Soup
Angry Wanker
Have a feeling the West Coast companies will keep the 26"er in their long-travel line-up. Look at the type of riding they do out there vs. the nature-walks 75% of people call mountain biking here.
Arwen's Mom
Mother of Dragons, Breaker of Chains
:scared:
The ByStickels are very interesting. Another way to make the CS shorter. My Blackbuck has fairly short chainstays for a 29er and a really steep HA with 51mm of offset. On twisty singletrack it feels like a quick handling 26" XC bike. It's the best rigid, singlespeed bike I've ridden for XC type singletrack. It reacts very quickly to rider input, which I like. I've never ridden a McClung, but that is also designed with very short chainstays and quick handling. I like that these two makers of bikes designed for a rigid fork and as a singlespeed have both developed a quick handling, short bike. Rigid is a different animal than suspension and should be designed differently. Oh yeah, Jeff Jones bikes are also designed as rigid SS and have very short CS's. His are designed more as a technical bike, the other two pure XC.
Some of these XS 29ers work.
The XS Motobecane that Robin has seems to be fighting her as she rides it.
MikeP
Well-Known Member
Misfit diSSent small frame is equivalent to some XS, TT length is a hair under 22" with plenty of SO clearance.
Robin
Well-Known Member
Oh, I have that one too....it's not so much the S/O, it's just moving the entire bike around.
MikeP
Well-Known Member
Huh ?
Hmmm not digging the misfit anymore hey. Maybe you should ride it more : )
Robin
Well-Known Member
No...not digging the Motobecane.
I have that Misfit that you are talking about. It's my "fun" bike since it's the rigid SS.
Anyway...back to the topic of 650b.
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mandi
Well-Known Member
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.