You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
So, before work went mental 7 months ago (lucky me as it meant I've been busy working), I'd been getting my fitness up and was seeing improvements. Anyway, last 7 months haven't been like that I've gone right back to where I started a year ago (which wasn't very high).
Anyway, whilst doing all these mental work hours and not biking, I've been thinking about a second bike for racing XC and CX. CX would be just a bit of fun so I'm not really bothered about a CX bike. The XC stuff is also just for a laugh but more to give me something to aim for and hopefully see any fitness gains.
Current bike is a 130/140mm trail bike and I've got a notion for a race bike - but I've no idea what is out there as I've stopped looking at bikes so have no idea what there is.
Not against a hardtail in my thinking but if it is full bounce, I'm thinking short travel as in 100mm. Also don't want a 29er as although they are quicker up the hills and over stuff, I've yet to try one that feels as quick in the twisty stuff - so I'm thinking 27.5 will be more than suitable. I'm also thinking given how unflexible I am, a dropper would be a good idea to have on it.
Given how unfast I am, I'm aware this is just my mind idling passing time and thinking but I'm now thinking I might do some more digging and see what there is, just in case I end up actually doing anything about it.
So what 27.5 wheeled bikes with a dropper are out there that would be good for XC and ok for CX? Just so I can start to narrow down my idle thinking...
I don’t think you can buy a new XC bike with 27.5 wheels, they’ve all gone big because it’s faster for racing.
Giants 2021 range includes 27.5″
Advertising standards complaint just waiting to happen.
Giants 2021 range includes 27.5″
All their xc bikes - i.e. Anthem, are 29er though.
27.5 xc bikes will be rare, especially in average male sizes.
What 29ers have you tried to decide you don’t like them on tight trails?
Light rotating mass, and shorter, more responsive geo may cancel out the big wheel problems you’ve had.
Been a wee while since I rode one...maybe 2 years. I'm not keen on another wheelsize in the house...1 26" and 3 27.5...1 for each of us. I'd prefer to stay with 27.5 as my brain is doing some mulling. I've 1 bike I ride...my trail bike...the 26 is on the turbo so may be get used but doesn't go anywhere.
The race thing isn't to win but more give me targets to aim at and see if I am improving...so although 29er is faster, I'm definitely not.
I still can't get my head around how xc bikes have gone 29er and gravel bikes are going 27.5
🤯
These sales folk are genii!