Originally Posted by
stevel610
My thought is once 650b reaches market saturation 26" will be back again. The marketers will come up with a new or "forgotten" benefit to create the need. Something like "the much wider footprint a 26" tire allows in a 27.5 fork provides you with that extra grip in the gnarliest terrain" or some such novelty.
I actually like 26" so I will be glad.
It's all in the marketing. Sales people will tell you that 650B is stronger than 700C (which it is by virtue of smaller diameter) and that it gives taller gearing than 559 (also true.) What they don't tell you is it's weaker than 559 and gives lower gears than 700C. Sizes are trade-offs, and the 650B is the 'hybrid bike' of the wheel world - halfway between 559 and 700C, and unable to match the strong points of either.