- Joined: February 2005
- Location: Stowe, Vt
- Post Count: 6,114
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Johnnys Zoo 
Getting back to the original Dennis Miller rant.
Mountain Bike Action's current philosophy is that it is a toss up between 4-5inch travel 26ers and hardtail 29ers.
If you look at the top EURO MTBers, they are ALL (I think) on 26 inch bikes.
I can visualize benefits of both. My 26inch HiFi is much more maneuverable. I can pop it up sideways, wheelie, and descend better. My Hardtail Ventana has supurb traction on washed out, rutty climbs. It rolls over 12inch logs and boulders without any threat of lodging the front wheel and endo.
So which is faster? I guess it depends.
I suspect neither to be honest.
5 inch travel 650B look out;)
"Trading the future for the moment, one powder turn at a time"
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- Joined: February 2005
- Location: Stowe, Vt
- Post Count: 6,114
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Johnnys Zoo
I've had the same thought. The selection seems very limited. The only brand that comes to mind is Haro.
there is a sub 5lb frame with 5.5 inches of travel that cost 1800 bucks.
Ibis Mojo complete build would be like 3500 but it would weight less than 25lb have 650B with 5.5 inches of DW link travel.
My biggest issue with 29er bike in local races is they can go much slower in rock gardens, this slows me down and cause my wheels to catch in the pockets. I can normally outsprint and corner nearly all over them everywhere else though. I think a 650B would be a great compromise for me.
"Trading the future for the moment, one powder turn at a time"
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- Joined: February 2005
- Location: Stowe, Vt
- Post Count: 6,114
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Johnnys Zoo
I thought the Mojo was a 26er? The rear tire wouldn't have good clearance. There is probably an issue with front derailleur rubbing the tire, as well. I have seen some people make their 29er frames into a 650b. The Salsa Big Mama for example. But how are these people setting up their forks? The Haro has a 650b specific design. If I'm 'forking' up that kind of $$$. I want it to be done right.
As far as the Dave Weagle theory goes....I think his 'physics' are about to have a lot of holes blown through them. (See JW from WV letter in new MTBaction) Not that the 'peanut link' is bad, it isn't. But if it was perfect we wouldn't need those adjustable valved shocks and forks now, would we?
The Ibis runs 27.5 with tons of clearance yes even in the rear. Alot of 26 frames cann run it, I just discovered the other day that my exile SS can run them as well. There are a bunch of 26 frames out these hardtail and FS that can run the 650B size.
The haro is nice bike but I just built a 26 hardtail SS for 500 bucks it weighs sub 25lb and has a boat anchor wheelset on it. with my 317/Dt swiss hubss on it the weight is dropped below 24lb. 1000 dollars for a SS that weighs 28lb with a rigid fork even if it is 650 b specific is too much IMO. I could easily build it for less and still have a suspension fork(most likely an old Rockshoz psyclos that can fit 650Bs) and be much lighter.
My guess is when I 650B my exile it will weigh 24lb and have nice dual air fork on it, if I spurged it may even have a 20mm axle. the cost will be a couple hundred more than the complete Bleasy. but the bike will be 'better" in nearly all aspects
"Trading the future for the moment, one powder turn at a time"
pbfootnit.blogspot.com/ <<< the start of something good!
- Joined: February 2005
- Location: Stowe, Vt
- Post Count: 6,114
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Johnnys Zoo
I'm not really into the Haro, its the only 650b specific bike I could think of. I think its also either SS or 1X9 only, and a rigid hardtail. Not into buying an expensive off the shelf bike, just to swap out all the parts.
Even with adequate clearance on a 26er; I would think the larger 650b wheel would create some funky longer wheelbase / leverage issue with a FS frames geometry (ie human catapult).
Not to digress but, whats with that virtual link from Haro anyhow? It looks like a one-off pirate from GT.
Also, I wouldn't describe the current 26 inch Rock Shox and Fox forks as having a "ton" of clearance. Some of the 26 inch, 2.3 tires come mighty close to rubbing. And uhhh 650b tire selection?
GO FOR THE THROUGH AXLE. My Maxle Lite was worth the extra coin. Makes the front end very rigid. I'm waiting for the through axles to start showing up on the REAR of XC type frames soon. Psylo? Please.
The only Rock shox forks that work are thru axles models unless you go older like the psyclo.
If you 650b front and rear wheel base wont change, nor will angles. BB would be slightly higher. which is better for clear stuff not hitting pedal, but not better for cornering.
The new 09 Revelations and by all accounts the reba, Pike and recon all fit the same assuming its has a thru axle.
"Trading the future for the moment, one powder turn at a time"
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- Joined: February 2005
- Location: Stowe, Vt
- Post Count: 6,114
well the psyclos does work thats why I mentioned it. The dual air psyclos is the budget 650Bb fork apparently.
as for clearance the New thru axle roch shox all clear a 2.3 650B pictured above is a 650B on new thru axle Revelation.
Honestly the weight difference and size difference wont affect suspension performance at all. In fact its only thing I have heard from you that really stands out as not really thinking it though.
unsprung weight can affect fine tuning but honestly the weight difference between different 26 inch wheel setup is probably greater than whats out for 650B right now. I would have no issue running a 650B rear wheel on FS bike as long as it clears the seatstay and chainstays.
"Trading the future for the moment, one powder turn at a time"
pbfootnit.blogspot.com/ <<< the start of something good!
