[Closed] Who's still on a 26"?

My fatbike is a 26er. So is my Blur but that gets little use these days.

Me. I tried a 29er and didn't like it.

Yup. 2006 Cotic Soda, 2013 Rocket.

Want to try a 275 Rocket, but in no desperate hurry to change.

All 26 here.

About to replace my 26" Soul, took it for a ride at the weekend, it's stil a bloody ace bike. Still have two other 26ers too, both still ace bikes.

I've got a cross bike but that doesn't count as a proper bike.

My Five is still a 26er and after my first ride in months last weekend, I was reminded what a great thing it is. I had it in mind to change it this year but with my planning on chucking money at things with 4 wheels and engines I'm thinking about just a new frame and it'll be another 26er - an Alpine 160.

If I was buying a new, full bike going 650B/29er would be a no brainer but for the time being, I'm more than happy on my very capable 26" bike.

All 26 here

Both of mine are 26". I'll only be buying 27.5" if there's no spares for 26". No point in the new size other than to try and squeeze more money out of people, especially those that didn't buy into 29ers.

yup on a 26" soul here and I do quite fancy a 29er and I can afford one but I keep thinking... will I be smiling any more when I get to the bottom of the trail? No is the answer and me wanting one is just pure avarice, I cannot justify the expense and I'm proud of myself so far that I've managed to resist.

Yes, does me fine. Next time I do a major strip down and clean-up, I might transfer the bits to a 2005 Trek 8500 frame that's been sitting in the attic for a few years. Bomber 26" wheels, rigid forks - what's to change?

9 speed cotic soul and a simple here.

26 here, same for Mrs edlong, no plans to change

All 26. Not keen on larger. No plans to change but it seems like the supply of 26" parts is getting smaller and smaller.

Yes, 2013 mondraker foxy XR. Just had the rear shock serviced by mojo, forks serviced, new frame bearings and headset......so I'm keeping it! 🙂

Yep. 2011, 26'er Zesty.

Both of mine are 26" an the minute, but I have a 650 frame on order. Not because I was desperate for a 650 bike, I fancied a change and there isn't much choice other than 29ers.

All 26 here.

Yup all 26 here, have recently built a rigid 29 but thats for commuting/touring so doesn't really count, recon on keeping them till they break now, pretty fed up with change for change sake plus I'm an old luddite & proud of it.

I still have 2 in regular use. I own a 650b but only because nobody does decent 26" any more. It's all a big con. I never get on my 650b and notice any difference at all.

well this list will make the 'cull' easier 😉

are you lot the new niche, like fat bikes were, do you lot get looked at with the 'what is THAT' look

sorry 😆

26 for me too. Seems to work as well as it ever did.

2x26" here

The Evil Sovereign will never die (as long as I can source half-decent 1.1/8" steerer suspension forks for it)

I'm still riding 26", but then I'm still riding 3x9 with an Octalink bottom bracket (which just won't wear out) so I'm pretty out of date across the board.

Three 26ers here - hardtail, full suss and fat.

Although this has been asked before:

Which mountain bike wheel size do you ride the most off road?

26in (51%, 376 Votes)
29in (28%, 208 Votes)
27.5in (12%, 88 Votes)
I lavish equal care and attention on all my wheel sizes (4%, 30 Votes)
Fat (3%, 21 Votes)
29+ (1%, 10 Votes)
I ride some other wheel size. It's the future! (1%, 4 Votes)
27.5+ (0%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 741
Start Date: May 13, 2015 @ 3:21 pm
End Date: No Expiry

Edit - the results of which I found quite surprising given the amount of discussion and m,marketing on non-26 wheels, which I guess is why it stuck in my mind

Don't understand the question.You mean there are other wheel sizes?
How odd.

2 x 26. I'm tempted by a 29 HT to replace my 456 SS but it'll be a while off yet (thinking along the lines of the NP Scout 290 or similar).

2 fullsussers & 1 HT all 26. My only non-26er is my commuter bike, which is 700c.

Yep, 2013 Five: last of the 26-inchers. Fantastic bike, but I will be selling it any time now (so shout on here if anyone's interested).

Not getting rid of my SB66c for anything.

26" hardtail with carbon forks here (I'll crawl back into my hole).

Broke all my 26" frames and couldn't find anything suitable a reasonable price so ended up 29" ht, the fs just being stripped down is a 26" frame but has been running 650 wheels with various mods.
TBH though aesthetically the 650 and 29" wheels look better on the 21" frames I have to ride though. 😉

yep and will be for a while as can't really seem to see a reason (and / or afford) to change my mk2 nomad - just about to buy a new shock which will keep me on it for another few years most likely. the industry move to 650b has actually acted as an inhibitor to me changing bikes due to not being able to transfer wheels & forks (two of the most expensive components in any build) onto a new frame

26 Soul here too 🙂

also have a 650B Anthem SX.

Both great fun, can't notice any difference in wheel size TBH.

Still on 26" here, Spesh Pitch and On One C456. No plans to change.

Both of my mountain bikes are 26". I have no intention of 'upgrading' but if I did change either I would look for a 26" as I have wheels and tyres a plenty and there is good value 26" kit available all over the place.

Yup, a Pace RC405 and an Indy Fab.

I have just given up 26 in November. Replaced with 27.5, because that's what was being sold and I don't like how 29ers feel.

I assure you that 27.5 is definitely no different in feel to a 26". Which begs the question, why does it exist?

All 26" here. Although I can't say I'm on it as Canyon can't seem to be able to send spare parts out in less than 4 months.

I currently have 2.5 26" bikes -two built up and one rolling chassis that will be for sale when I get my act together.
This constitutes 46% of my current bike collection, the others being 29 and 27.5.
I try and ride each of them at least once every month, although the current sh**y weather means I tend to use either of my hardtails simply because they are easier to clean

All 26; 1996 Kona Cinder Cone, 2012 Stumpjumper and 2009 Specialised Epic.
No plans to change, I'm a simple soul 🙂

I assure you that 27.5 is definitely no different in feel to a 26"

26" full sus for me and when I've stuck it next to a mates 27.5" you can barely see any difference. He says riding both, you couldn't tell them apart.

I won't be changing mine any time soon that's for sure. There's nothing wrong with it. I like riding it a lot and it certainly doesn't held me back.

26" BFe with straight-steerer forks and a 3x9 drivetrain....

I am so retro' dude 8)

26/9spd/1+1/8 here, as is gf (so 3 bikes, that currently allow spares interchange etc, and 1 rucksack when we go out), so I've stockpiled as we're both pretty much pensioners. I'd love to try others esp 29 but I'm 5ft5 and gf is 4ft10 - which I suspect means my choice is a bit limited and hers is 0 and the cost of the upgrade is 2 new bikes - which makes it more than I think the 'track comes alive' benefits will be......

Yup, a 26 hardtail and a 26 full sus.

I have a 29er hardtail as well… different enough to own as well as a 26.

But a 26 and a 275? No point owning both.
Pain in the arse that parts can't be swapped around.
And I honestly can't tell the difference ride wise, still.
Perhaps I'm not enough of a princess to feel the pea.

If you don't need to keep any existing kit in use, by all means buy 275, it has no ride disadvantages compared to 26. It is just as good, in every way, now that tyre ranges are updated and sorted. But I still find myself asking… what was the point in all this?

I want to try more 29er full sus bikes now… and want more modern, fun, less XC versions, to tempt me.

Yep.
Just about to buy a brand new one too.
🙂

Me, still on my Blut LT which is coming up for 10 years old now.
Am re-building my hardtail as a 1x11

My only current MTB is 26" and still hasn't bust into flames. I probably have enough spare bits to assemble another two 26" bikes too (need to flog some of it off)...

TBH though I am not all that attached to 26" wheels. Straight steerers or 135x10 rear axles. I just don't have any real burning desire to change bike right now, I am sure when I do I'll be joining the masses on 27.5" bikes and be perfectly happy...

4x26 for me
It's had the opposite effect on me all the wheel size changing, I was a serial shopper but can't remember the last part I bought now other than brake pads etc, don't even really look at bikes etc, it's been a revelation just riding for the last couple of years and ignoring all the shiney things

1 x 26 Anthem.

Next time I get a new bike it will have bigger wheels, more because I wont have the option otherwise.

Still 26" 2009 GiantReign I am contemplating replacing it but only because it looks too battered and bruised, not because I am unhappy with it. I may well end up with 27.5" purely because that's what they sell.

2x26 here plus couple more for the family. I believe at least some of the hype about 29", not really believe that 27.5" would make any difference.. except for usual development in bike technology.

It would take a fair bit of time to evaluate modern choices so I'll think I'll stay with 26 until current bikes are broken, stolen or lost.

2x26 and 1x29 in the garage - no plans to change. I only have the 29er cos I wanted a fully rigid steel adventure bike, and 29 fits that.

I would not change just to get different wheels.

my kids, aged 9 and 13 are both on 650B's - they reckon I'm old fashioned 🙂

....they are right !

Yep, 26" Cove G-Spot, when I first saw them in 2011 it was the only bike I wanted - basically like my old Shocker, but lighter and you could pedal it up hills. I always spend money on Family first so I don't have a huge budget for riding but I finally found a well-priced, slightly ratty s/h 2013 model about 18 months ago I had it and it's EXACTLY like that - perfect.

650B was already with us then and everyone knew it was going to take over, but I didn't really care, I understand the benefits/drawbacks of slightly bigger wheels but they weren’t enough to make me spend thousands on a completely new bike.

Frankly I'm still not sold on the whole wonder-wheel-size thing, but I fancy a change now - like all good Cove's my bike is built very tough and heavier than its rivals, it doesn't bob much with a 2015 Float X but still a hefty thing to bring up a hill - En521 rims, SLX build kit and Lyrik RC2DH forks are all stiff, tough and work wonderfully but only mean more weight - and it's pre-facelift so got the silly 30.0 seat post which means a 27.2 dropper with 100m travel, a ghetto cable route and a shim - it's a "semi dropper" in my mind for trails I put it up about an inch in the frame so I can get the best seating position for pedalling, but it's a compromise going down and the seat does get in the way a bit, at BPW or the Alps I put it all the way down in the frame but it's not great for climbing.

Just like my Shocker was its sublime when you're really shifting, but a bit harder work on slower speed technical stuff - it's cracking at BPW and the Alps, totally alive, completely on your side, like a little voice in the back of my head that tells me to forget I'm 36 and have got two kids and a wife to support and "go on, go a bit quicker, jump of that thing, do a wheelie!" but it's getting a bit of a chore for most of the riding I do, that's why I want to change, not because of some different sized wheels.

I'm looking at Capras, most because they're great to ride and offer excellent VFM, even accepting some accounts of poor customer service in the past, I'll have a look when I get back from the Alps, I'm really looking forward to a week on my Cove there!

I'll try to sell it if/when I get a new bike, but they weren’t a quick sell even before 650b, not mainstream enough to complete with Spesh, Giants etc and not Boutique enough to complete with SC, Intense etc. If it doesn’t sell I’ll remove the dropper for good, and keep it as a fun park bike, it’ll probably get more use than the YT ha ha.

26" Voodoo Hoodoo - Oldschool Halfords Posse in da house!

I is well retro innit!

4x26 for me
It's had the opposite effect on me all the wheel size changing, I was a serial shopper but can't remember the last part I bought now other than brake pads etc, don't even really look at bikes etc, it's been a revelation just riding for the last couple of years and ignoring all the shiney things

THIS

Did look at a hardtail 29 er[ i only actually need a frame and forks] and then had to start reading about boost and and I realised that it was just going to be a perpetual state of new standards so I decided against buying a bike just to watch it become obsolete and have no value.

All 26": steel HT, hefty suss bike (G-Spot) and a fatty.
Even the tandem is 26", although it also has a pair of lighter 650B wheels for sportives and touring.
I'm not a great fan of marketing/consumerist strategies that are designed to make you feel inadequate for having that bike which was fantastic on the trails 3 or 5 years ago. The mountains don't change.

The fatty may be relatively recent but it fills a niche for me- it's what I ride when I want the biggest smile.

Me.

Yep, all 26 ... apart from a 29er that I got at a bargain price so couldn't resist just to try, although I wasn't amazed by it, it's just another bike to ride. Thing is, all my 26in bikes are so good I don't see the need to change, I'd like something new but there's no point now so I rarely buy anything, read articles or reviews or have any intention of buying a new bike probably ever! I feel that any MTB magazines are irrelevant as none of the stuff reviewed would fit my ancient, now 5 year old, straight steerer 26in wheeled bikes ... suppose I'll just have to get out and ride them!

MrsSPW3 and I have 10 bikes between us.

9 of them are 26" and the 10th is my Kona Smoke pub bike.

I have no interest in other wheel sizes.

Yep, Transition Bandit. It's so 26 it even says it on the top tube. How cool am I? 😀
That said I do own a 29er too, albeit a very different rigid, single speed beast.

As a couple of people have said above, I'm really not interested in new bike shopping. I've had the Bandit 3(?) years now and still love it. I don't know if this is coincidence (and I really do think it's fab) or a genuine sub-conscious reaction to the "death" of 26ers.

Cotic Bfe
YT Tues
Specialized P1

All 26 and there's nothing else I want. I fancy a full suspension trail bike again but haven't started looking. Intrigued by the Geometron though.

to watch it become obsolete and have no value

It's always got lots of value, if it's a good bike. The monetary value is irrelevant - you aren't investing, you are buying something you want to use.

Some bikes yes, others no.
My 2012 can dale scalpel 26 is still my all time favourite bike.just an awesome frame a fork combo that I'll never sell.
I did consider popping some 650 wheels in, but I don't race the thing so it's all about fun, not time.

Commencal SL which I love and have no intention of getting rid off anytime soon.

Enigma Ti hardtail.

Thinking of getting rid of the Enigma as I never ride it now as my back favours the full susser.

two MTBs. both 26". M2 (alloy, hardtail, geared - 8 speed); Kilauea (steel, rigid, SS).

26 inch rigid steel.singlespeed.. Although I could probably get a 650b+ in the front for a semi skimmed 69er type thing..

Which will probably happen at some point

Me too.

9 MTBs in the stable currently - aged from 1997-2012 - all 26". In fact I just bought a 'new' one. No plans to change at all. Love em' 😀

The trails do not appear to have changed either. These bikes still ride brilliantly on them - and make me grin like an idiot to boot.

26 Simple, not that it gets out much these days...

To those saying they won't change because they have a garage full of 26" wheels, tyres and forks, why have you got all that spare kit? Some must be better than others so don't you just use the best you have? When the best stuff wears out are you really going to replace it with kit you have in 'stock' that's not as good as what you have worn out? Why not just sell it?

As for 26" vs 650b. I rode the 650b version of my old bike and it felt quite a bit different and coming from 29" experience could tell it was the wheel size that had the greatest effect.

I stupidly threw away the bike I had when I was a teenager, which was a 26er. It was a bit knackered but I could have done it up

I only got back into MTB about 2.5 years ago so have only had 29ers (currently have 2)

I assure you that 27.5 is definitely no different in feel to a 26". Which begs the question, why does it exist?

15 years in sales and marketing makes me a terrible cynic, but even if I try to be as objective a possible I can't see past a 'conspiracy' between the major players, or if not certainly they all followed suit remarkably quickly from 2013 range to 2014 range – I know a few 650b bikes were about before then, but to all supposedly hit the same brick wall in terms of development and all to come to the same conclusion that a fringe old wheel size from way-back-when was the answer, I don’t see it. Especially seeing just how quickly the parts manufactures joined in by not only throwing everything at 650b but equally just dropping development on 26” over-night.

I can't think it's anything but a way to make a lot of bikes seem obsolete - the fact that we're even discussing they're not proves there's an greater argument that they are.

Why not just sell it?

Cos I'm a kleptomaniac! 😉

Possibly.

..But also because the 'best' bike is not necessarily the same bike on every trail all the time. And I've got plenty to choose from!

Some bikes are for winter slop... others actually never see mud - and are for those brilliant dusty dry summer days. Some are for fast XC blasts, where a light hardtail is good. Others are for taking up Snowdon, where a long travel monster is good. Others just make exactly the same trail feel 'different' on different days. Good for keeping things fresh!

I also like bikes. I mean really like bikes. They are things of beauty, simplicity and elegance. Foils for anodised aluminium, titanium and carbon fibre. I've enjoyed creating each of them, watching them take shape over weeks, months sometimes, and then taking them out to give them a good thrashing in amazing places.

Every bike gets ridden regularly - although even I admit I am probably at peak bike now! (I have a CX and a commuter also).

The other thing is that the wear gets spread across the fleet. So it's unlikely they will ever actually wear out.. Maybe... At least I can keep cannibalising if I really have to for a bit!

Why not just sell it?

I have it because I had a bike that broke so that gave me spare everything- back when all you got was 26.

To those saying they won't change because they have a garage full of 26" wheels, tyres and forks, why have you got all that spare kit? Some must be better than others so don't you just use the best you have? When the best stuff wears out are you really going to replace it with kit you have in 'stock' that's not as good as what you have worn out? Why not just sell it?

Imagine you've just snapped a spoke. Do you leave the bike out of action while you wait for a spoke to arrive, and the time to fix the wheel? Or throw on a spare wheel, that might just be heavier, or have a narrower rim, or only works tubed, to keep riding in the mean time? What if the damping system in your new super ace fork suddenly dumps its load? Might be off to the experts with it for fixing.… while you wait, do you keep on riding, using the old heavy coil sprung and less smartly damped fork that you'd probably only have got £40 quid for if you sold it?

As for 26" vs 650b. I rode the 650b version of my old bike and it felt quite a bit different and coming from 29" experience could tell it was the wheel size that had the greatest effect.

Well done you! Others have said the same. Not everyone is convinced though.
Most 275 versions of old 26 designs have other improvements, and you're doing well to be so sure that the differences in your ride are mostly down to the slightly bigger wheels. I've also ridden 26 and 275 versions of models, and didn't have the same experience as you. Happy to except that might be down to me having missing skills and senses… but that still means that they feel much the same to me.

26" Boardman hardtail, bought new in 2010.
Since then it has been upgraded (new wheels etc) so owes me a fair bit more than its worth.
No intention of selling - it only did approx. 100 miles last year so not worth spending £££ on a replacement.

as others have said - it'll get replaced when I can no longer maintain it due to obsolescence. (1 1/8" fork steerer etc)

I'll be riding my 3 year old 26" full sus til it dies or I can't get decent tyres for it anymore.

Also have a 29er fully rigid for commuting and a 27.5 DH bike on order.