650b coming sooner than we think?

[Tomasis]

http://forums.mtbr.com/9880674-post1.html

"Although there are a few holdouts, especially in the U.S., the bulk of the industry here has concluded that 26 inch will soon be a niche size for downhill racing bikes and perhaps department store bikes. Most mid-priced mountain bikes are destined to adopt the mid-sized tires, with 29er wheels reserved for short-travel and hardtail bikes aimed at the cross-country set."



how much bs of it is? how much soon is soon?

[mattmatt86]

I met a guy on the trails a few days ago that works in the industry and just got back from Taiwan. He said the consensus for Major bike manufacturers was that by 2015 only sub ~700 dollar mountain bikes and certain segments (DJ and DH) would be 26." Although only about 30-40% of DH bikes would be 26", he laid eyes on a few tooling machines for DH specific 650b products.

[Hacktastic]

*GAG*

There is nothing wrong with 26" wheels. These silly ever-changing "standards" in the bike industry need to come to a stop, especially when they provide no real additional benefit to the user.

26" wheels are already weak enough. No need to adopt a standard that will make an even weaker wheel.

Make frames that last more than a season, with properly spec'd hardware and with manufacturing that makes sense for support parts availability down the road. Prices for these things need to come down a LOT too, especially from the bigger manufacturers.

Make brakes that resist glazing so easily and rotors that are stronger and don't warp (making sure your rotors aren't dragging after being bent will give you more speed and less drag than changing to a 27.5" wheel will) and systems that retain their bleeds better.

Find some solution to derailleurs. It's a silly system that needs to go.

Make frames with greater clearance to run larger shocks (not longer, just wider diameter). Speeds on DH bikes have changed dramatically in the last decade, and designers are now trying to squeeze way too much performance out of a tiny damper that can't be as large as it needs to be to provide adequate performance.

There are a dozen other things to do before deciding to go and fvck with the wheel diameter and start developing bike geometry from square one again.

[jonKranked]

[jonKranked]

response from the bike industry:

[TGR]

It may not take over 26'' but it for sure is getting more popular... it's like a good evolution that can really become useful for certain types of bikes
Most people didn't even notice that some downhill riders were trying on 650 wheels on the last world cups... News is, even some big names are out there testing it... If it can be faster, why not?

[OGRipper]

What does wheel size have to do with continuing to develop gearboxes, improving discs, or making frames that fit more shocks and have better hardware? Those are all potentially good things but I don't see the connection.

I have not been drawn to a 29er but this tweener thing intrigues me for trail riding.

[CrabJoe StretchPants]

The real question: is 650B an admission that the 29er is retarded?

[mattmatt86]

It may not take over 26'' but it for sure is getting more popular

Every source I've heard in the industry said it will take over no matter how much we bitch about it on the interwebz. I've talked to guys that have been on the ground floor in Taiwanese factories and said all the major brands already have or are in the process of acquiring tooling exclusively for 650b bikes from $700 and up and almost every full suspension under 180mm of travel.

One guy told me that by 2015-2016 less than 5% of new mountain bikes will be 26."

[jonKranked]

Every source I've heard in the industry said it will take over no matter how much we bitch about it on the interwebz. I've talked to guys that have been on the ground floor in Taiwanese factories and said all the major brands already have or are in the process of acquiring tooling exclusively for 650b bikes from $700 and up and almost every full suspension under 180mm of travel.

One guy told me that by 2015-2016 less than 5% of new mountain bikes will be 26."

thank god enve wheels are US made.

and thank god for independent builders.

[no skid marks]

What a way to create a whole new market. I actually thing they might be okay for smaller size tyres. DH maybe, will take some fun from DH bikes, but will probably/possibly/maybe make them faster. New front axle width to ensure.

[jonKranked]

The real question: is 650B an admission that the 29er is retarded?

must spread rep.

[dump]

Thank god for independent builders.

Most definitely.

[dump]

What a way to create a whole new market. I actually thing they might be okay for smaller size tyres. DH maybe, will take some fun from DH bikes, but will probably/possibly/maybe make them faster. New front axle width to ensure

Not width, but diameter. If you're running 650B, you'll need to upgrade to a 16.50mm front axle.

[UiUiUiUi]

i haven't tried a 650b bike so far, but it looks like the industry tries to avoid the mistake they made with 29ers. back then only a handfull supported the big wheel and the others later struggled to keep up with the demand from their customers.

now the industry is jumping on it and hoping to create demand... we will see how this turns out.

i am definitely curious to see what 650b dh bikes will feel like