Flakarter

Hello all, I am beginning to look for a new mountain bike after riding my 2000 Gary Fisher Marlin for years. I am 6' tall and I am looking for a large frame 27.5 hardtail, air fork, 1x__ drivetrain and hydraulic brakes. A decent entry level bike.

I just bought my 10 year old son a 2021 Rockhopper Elite, and it would fit the bill but the large frames only come with 29" wheels. I know, I know, the 29ers are the thing, but I ride flat Florida, so downhills are not a concern, and my 26' bike rolled fine over roots, etc,. But I'm not here to debate wheel size. I am looking for a new bike (used are overpriced at present) that checks those boxes, and I am having a hard time finding one. The only one I have been able to find is a Kona Blast and it fits the bill very well (although I am not a fan of chocolate brown bikes). Any other ideas? I've looked high and low and I can't find anything else.

Thanks!

grubetown

Giant Fathom

sarhog

Trek Roscoe, Salsa Timberjack, google...

Flakarter

Thanks for the suggestions, but those are both 27.5+ bikes. I am looking for a normal 27.5. I don't need or want the wider tires, etc.

And I did google, many many times. Specialized got rid of the Pitch and combined it with the Rockhopper, but large sizes are not available in a 27.5. So that is out. Trek's Marlin in large is a 29er. So all I can find is a Kona Blast. Just thought I would ask in case I have missed something in my own searches.

grubetown

I don't think 2.6 is considered Plus size and you could put on a skinnier tires on the Fathom.

Flakarter

The Timberjack and Roscoe are both 2.8, but I hear you. Just hoping to find something with regular 27.5 size tires.

Flakarter

Sorry, I didn't realize you were referring back to the Fathom. You're right. 2.6 tires. Thanks. That is a good option.

Bigbus

I'm just following and learning. I too prefer the 27.5 over the 29.

Flakarter

Bigbus, my 26" Gary Fisher has served me well for years, and the 29ers look so much bigger. I understand they roll better once going, but I like the 27.5 for less overall weight, quicker turning, and less rotational weight so it will hopefully accelerate and climb easier.

Bigbus

I loved my 26"-it was very agile, light, and I was envious of my friends full suspension Gary Fisher haha. I used a 29" Motobecane semi-fat tire for work and even though it was a very comfortable ride, I never was able to adjust to the 29" tire when it came to riding down the side of a mountain trail with switchbacks and very steep drops with turns at the bottom. I found myself riding the brakes a lot (hyd disk), something I rarely did on my 26". Then I got an opportunity to ride a 27.5 and knew I'd found the sweet spot. I had comfort, agility, speed, and never looked back. Now I'm also in the market for another as my old one is becoming antiquated like me. I can't do much about me, but I can upgrade my ride haha. Take care,

Darth Lefty 

I liked 27.5 too. But you’ve convinced yourself you need something that was only briefly popular and mostly no longer for sale. Good luck.

... there are some really nice full suspension bikes still in 27.5, marketed as more agile and playful than the stable 29ers. Like Ibis Mojo and Santa Cruz 5010 which were both recently revised, Salsa Rustler, probably some others I don’t know. And Diamondback Release is a cheaper clone

Flakarter

Probably! LOL But who says you have to like what is popular!

Although I have entertained the possibility that I am going to have to go with the 29er flow. I just don't want to. Perhaps I am accustomed to being a couple of steps behind the current generation!

Canker

There is always the used option. And there are a bunch of new old stock Jamis Dragons on ebay in large 27.5 and chinese generic carbon.

Trakhak

The thread title is worded ambiguously: what was meant was not "27.5 large frame" but "large frame with 27.5 wheel size."

Flakarter

Yeah, I guess I could have worded it better, but 27.5 is a common wheel size, not a frame size (at least not that I am aware of). Unless you are Shaquille O'Neal!!!!

Bigbus

It must be a locality thing because I thought it was fairly obvious what was meant.

seat_boy

Nukeproof Scout 275 and Ragley Marley (I have the latter).