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Still got my 2005 Hummer , been through too much with this to let it go ( even if I could get anywhere near what it's worth ) . 3 X 9 , HT2 , QR f & r , 25.4 stem , 25" bars , I could go on ! Question is how much longer before it becomes retro ?
But covering all bases Kona Raijin Ti 29er and Kona Process 650B , CX bike and a proper retro Kona Aha Stars n Bars cruiser as well 🙂
Three 26 bikes here and, having recently been able to pick up some new forks for my Soul and Mk 1 Dialled Alpine, I can't see me getting rid of any of them soon.
My local trails are twisty rocky singletrack so 26 inch wheeled bikes with short or no travel bikes are fastest and most fun. My ten+ year old bikes are gettng a bit creaky and likely unreliable for a multiday epic but for my riding they are fine.
If I cut back on the road riding and plan more rides off road and away from home then likely I'll invest in a 29 inch wheeled bike or a modern decent travelled full suspension bike.
From the purely anecdotal evidence on this thread it really would appear that the MTB Industry has shot itself in the foot
😆
Yes.. very true, I have heard they are on their knees due to the loss of 70 odd hypocrites from stw
Not me, I embrace progress.Also stw is full of die hards
My first MTB had rigid forks, steel handlebars, cantilever brakes, 3 x 7 gearing, 1.75 skinwall tyres and toe clips and straps.
I'm now down with the kids on a MK1 Soul with 120 forks, 2 x 10 gears and SPD pedals and some handlebars made of this new carbon fiber wonder material. I've even got a road bike without down-tube friction shifters and tubular tyres.
At this rate of progress I'll be riding a 1 x 11 27.5 tubeless full susser with a dropper post somewhere around 2040.
I don't think stw is full of diehards not wishing to progress...I read this thread as the view that people are happy to change wheel size when its necessary but are not going to throw away a perfectly good bike just to get the newest model..I don't care what wheel size my bike is. but the two factors keeping me at 26" are the costs (cheaper to move all my working 26" parts than buy a complete bike) AND just as importantly, the environmental aspect. I won't throw away stuff that works perfectly well..
My bikes are all 26',ally hardtail,Anthem & 2005 Enduro.They are just tools & do the job required.
If I was starting again I'd look at 650b stuff but there's no way I'm consigning all the spare tyres,wheels & forks I've acquired over the years to the bin.
Likewise I run 3x on all of them, these days it's deemed obsolete but it does the job for me.
I'd love a go on a Transition Scout to see how design has moved on from my Enduro but I doubt I'd buy one,whereas if it was a 26' frame I'd consider upgrading, moving my Forks & wheels onto it.
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.
Well done me indeed. I assure you that any missing skills you have I will also be missing.
The point is that I went from a 26" version of a bike to the 29" version. From making the change I could understand all good and bad points people had been banging on about 29ers.
I then tried the 650b version and although the difference was not as obvious it was still there and I'm a numb head when it comes to such things usually. I preferred the 29" so stayed with that.
The point is that to state there's no difference is wrong. It might to be a huge difference and it might not be a difference that's worth it to you but it's defo there.
Oh, and I currently have 4 built 26", one being built and 1 29" in the garage along with a whole load of spares for mostly 26". It's just that I don't get over excited about not being able to fit every part to every bike. If I got rid of the 29" and went 26" exclusively I'd still have loads of parts that wouldn't fit one bike or the other.
Also stw is full of die hards.
My bikes are far from worn out and I really like them so no need to change. Maybe its a function of the amount of riding I do and what a mincer I am but my forks are from 2007 and on a 2012 frame are working absolutely fine.
The point is that to state there's no difference is wrong. It might to be a huge difference and it might not be a difference that's worth it to you but it's defo there.
I said that I can't tell the difference, not that there isn't a difference.
So, no obvious gains for me, but all the hassle of none of my spares fitting.
Changing your tyres for slightly bigger/smaller ones makes a HUGE difference to how a bike feels.
As does changing the compound or tread.
As does getting rid of tubes.
Or wider rims.
Or lighter rims.
All changes I notice, and use.
So, in theory, I get how slightly bigger wheels could/should make a big difference.
But in practise, I can't detect any.
Oh yes and am happy with them. Running triples too, how cool. 😉
2 x 26" 3X9, 1 x 26" 2x10
As far as die hards go, I own a 1990s steel rigid, a 2010 titanium hardtail, a 2014 29er massive enduro [i]bastard[/i], and a fatbike. Oh and a halfords hybrid and an onza bird. So I don't know which of these 4 wheelsizes I'm being a die hard about but the best of all those bikes is the 29er and the most ridden right now is a 26er.
Still on a 5 year old Zesty here. It's a bit outdated now though with its non-tapered head tube and QR front and rear, and for me to upgrade it to how I want would cost more than the bike is worth. When I do get round to upgrading to a newer bike I'll be focusing more on value for money than whether it's 26" or 650b, cost is more important to me than wheel size.
Yeti SB66. Say no more.
We have a fleet of them. At *some* point we will all move to 650b (bar mrs_oab who WILL NOT be parted from her lovely 'Dale) and 2xsomething...
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8803/17179866862_fd2167a1a6_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8803/17179866862_fd2167a1a6_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/sb8iT5 ]IMG_2977[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/ ]Matt Robinson[/url], on Flickr
It is hard to see how some 26'ers will ever stop being made:
[url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/718/22024392118_213fc29890_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/718/22024392118_213fc29890_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/zydLsA ]Aviemore Overnighter[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/ ]Matt Robinson[/url], on Flickr
And despite what folk would have you believe, they rip with the best...
[url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1486/24211651629_ce3915f195_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1486/24211651629_ce3915f195_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/CTv3vt ]Innerleithen bike ride[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/ ]Matt Robinson[/url], on Flickr
Yep, a 1990 Courier Comp with a few new bits.
I built a new 26 Alpine a few months back brings the trail alive.
Both MTB's are 26ers. I'm not a follower of fashion & there's nothing wrong with either, so have no interest in changing to anything else.
Got a 27.5 Trigger and a Carbon 26 Whippet and I think the Whippets my favourite bike I've ever had.
26"SS specific Inbred & 120 Rebas. It's becoming more vintage by the years, but it just gets better as I replace bits.
Classic components stay that way. Renthal chainrings, Thomson Elite post & stem , Mavic 521's etc etc.
26 for life ya.
Yep - I am still on 26" for all my mountain bikes, Boardman Pro (hardtail), Intense Tracer & Canyon Torque
I have no desire to switch wheel size
#26aintdead
2013 Covert - absolutely love it!
Carbon 456 (not sure of year) - absolutely love it!
The best thing about the mass hype of first 29er then 650b was the clearance sales on top end 26inch kit. Only way I was ever going to afford a mojo SL and I love it. The only concern I have is if they stop making decent tyres in 26inch
2 X 26" for me. Norco sight and a 456 summer season. Main reason for me was they were both dirt cheap secound hand. Both fun bikes which is all that matters to me. 🙂
[I]SaxonRider - Member
So who on here still just rides a plain old 26"?[/I]
26" here. 26" is where it all started and where I'm happy for it to remain, for me.
Should the world of science, one day prove that 26" is factually inferior to 29ers. Even better, because I'll still be as quick as anyone riding 29ers. It's akin to winning a grand prix in a car that doesn't have the best engine, etc.
And the cake will taste even sweeter, Because if 26" is really inferior, then it's the rider that made the difference.
8)