NEWS: Ready or Not, Here Comes 650

**BikeMag** · 09-21-2012, 07:40 AM

Will 26-inch wheels disappear entirely? Not likely. They're nimble, light and still make a ton of sense for long-travel bikes, but they might become the minority within the next few years.
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NEWS: Ready or Not, Here Comes 650

***binary visions*** · 09-21-2012, 08:50 AM

I don't entirely know how I feel about 650B, but that Intense Tracer looked sweet at the show, and the Intense guys said that the carbon Carbine can be converted by attaching new dropouts... so those Carbine owners out there have some options.

Wonder if this is going to actually have some serious traction with a lot of manufacturers getting on the bandwagon, or is this just going to be number five hundred in a list of ever-growing "standards"?

**OGRipper** · 09-21-2012, 09:21 AM

If you look at in a vacuum, 650B makes sense for dual suspension bikes. You get of the benefits of bigger wheels without many of the compromises needed to make 29" wheels work. And after riding a few of both I personally am more interested in 650B than 29" for trail bikes. They are only "blah" (as mentioned in the article) in the sense that they won't get the extreme, "love 'em or hate 'em" kind of reaction as 29'ers. You get a slight improvement in rolling and traction without the negative aspects of big goofy wheels. Doesn't make for exciting journalism, but that doesn't change the fact that they just work.

But the bigger question is whether a third wheel size makes sense given the existing availability of 26" and 29". I see no issue from the consumer standpoint - more choice is good. And frankly, as much as retailers and manufacturers may grumble about changing standards and inventory issues, they know (or should know) that constant evolution is key to selling product year after year. This is about showing customers what they want, not what they need.

**NoUseForAName** · 09-21-2012, 09:47 AM

Just rode a 2013 Range last night, had been hoping to hold out for another year with my current bike. Nope. Time to make some money.

Faster and smoother on trails that i could almost ride blindfold. Trails where every ripple and undulation is imprinted from morning after morning of exercising my dog before work. Probably ideal trails for a 29r, but the rest of my riding is not IMO.

**kidwoo** · 09-21-2012, 09:59 AM

What were you guys seeing for tires and rims on those bikes?

Anything good yet?

**NoUseForAName** · 09-21-2012, 10:15 AM

Hans Dampf tires on my demo Range, with Avid Trail (or whatever that new brake is called) brakes.

**buildyourown** · 09-21-2012, 10:25 AM

I see 650b catching on really quick. I also see it taking up about 75% of the 29er market. Many people I see on 29ers just shouldn't be. Many people want to be on bigger wheels, but are too short.

It amazes me how many very new riders end up on 29ers for their first bike and how badly it stunts the learning curve. I say this as an instructor.

**jackalope** · 09-21-2012, 10:49 AM

I too see 650's becoming the next prominent wheel size, especially seeing bikes like the new Spitfire coming out, which would allow you to continue running your existing 26 wheel set, then switch to a 650b set when you're ready.

***binary visions*** · 09-21-2012, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by kidwoo

What were you guys seeing for tires and rims on those bikes?

Anything good yet?

The Intense is outfitted with Novatech Diablo 275s and Kenda Nevegals.

I'll check on some of the others.

**Westy** · 09-21-2012, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by buildyourown

I see 650b catching on really quick. I also see it taking up about 75% of the 29er market. Many people I see on 29ers just shouldn't be. Many people want to be on bigger wheels, but are too short.

It amazes me how many very new riders end up on 29ers for their first bike and how badly it stunts the learning curve. I say this as an instructor.

Even worse is I have experienced trails that were built with 29ers in mind, only wide sweeping corners and rather boring. An abomination.

***binary visions*** · 09-21-2012, 11:24 AM

Rocky Mountain Altitude is wearing a set of Sun Ringle Inferno 25s, clad in Schwalbe Nobby Nics.

**frorider** · 09-21-2012, 11:28 AM

Agree with VF's point that part of what's driving the industry enthusiasm is companies that were late to the 29er thing, and want to get out in front on 650b. I have ridden some 29er trailbikes in the 140mm range and been unimpressed, even with one that had short (by 29er std) chainstays, so I do hope 650b takes off so that 29er wheels can be relegated to the hardtail market where they work really well.

Woo, as far as I can tell the rim choices for 2013 will be pretty good at least for non-DH wheels (I suppose the flow ex will work for DH at least for some riders) but the tire selection is thin still (pun intended). the 2.4 Pacenti looks very promising, much larger than the so-called 2.3. But seems the Hans Dampf is the only other good choice in the somewhat aggressive / single ply category, since the Nevegal is...a Nevegal.

**ldw222** · 09-21-2012, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by buildyourown

I see 650b catching on really quick. I also see it taking up about 75% of the 29er market. Many people I see on 29ers just shouldn't be. Many people want to be on bigger wheels, but are too short.

It amazes me how many very new riders end up on 29ers for their first bike and how badly it stunts the learning curve. I say this as an instructor.

You know I've noticed that too...new riders going straight to 29ers, why is that? Seems like always hardtails too. I myself hope we can be on 26" and they don't phase them out.