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Is 27.5" dead?

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Is 27.5" dead?

Old 12-12-19, 07:27 AM
  #151  
prj71
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LOL!!!. I was passing by the bikes on my way to the automotive department and noticed the huge sign on the bike advertising what size riders it's good for.
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Old 01-09-20, 03:42 PM
  #152  
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Long time rider, new here tho... Greetings

I'm dredging this thread up from last decade...

I was an early adopter of 29" back in '06. A Gary Fisher 292. Great bike, I still have it and am in the midst of doing a few upgrades to it.

Recently I came onto a good deal on a Pivot 5.5. Fun bike with 27.5. Running 2.5 front and 2.4 rear it has quite a different personality than the 292.

In my personal arsenal there are several roadbikes, a town bike or two, a commuter bike, a couple or more vintage bikes of various types, a fixed gear, a Sturmey Archer 3 speed fixed gear (don't even ask..;-) a tandem... and the 292 and 5.5 Pivot.

I enjoy them all, but to answer this question as honestly as I am able based observation in this area of northern Nevada-

I think the e-bike is going to make pedal power bikes obsolete faster than any wheel size factor.

There, I said it! We are all invested in an obsolete tech going the way of the 8 track and rotary phone. hahahah

In my area I talk to three different bike shop owners and they are selling the heck out of them. I also am seeing an apparent mental shift of buyers. Our local craigslist is packed with bikes that are seeming incredibly cheap, given the level of quality. $4-6K e-bikes are flying out the doors at these shops because why spend 4K on a bike that has to be pedaled hard vs the same amount or a bit more on a well built e-assist. Granted that tech is changing faster than anything, but you know how it is with all things of that nature..

Myself and Linda we rode e-bikes for a week in Belgium and I have to admit it's quite intoxicating. I'm afraid to ride one on our trails here because I'm pretty sure I would like it. But I'm not yet ready to give up what I enjoy about pedaling my own weight around. Plus, if I bought one I'd have to get one for Linda too...

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Old 01-09-20, 06:50 PM
  #153  
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Orbea is only putting 29er wheels on bikes now

even the 27.5 + is virtually a thing of the past now
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Old 01-10-20, 09:48 AM
  #154  
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Welcome to the board

Originally Posted by RWBadley
...

Myself and Linda we rode e-bikes for a week in Belgium and I have to admit it's quite intoxicating. I'm afraid to ride one on our trails here because I'm pretty sure I would like it. But I'm not yet ready to give up what I enjoy about pedaling my own weight around. Plus, if I bought one I'd have to get one for Linda too...
This is why I am resisting trying an e DH mtb. I don't want to start hating on what I have as I crank up the access trail all the time. Most bikes I want the exercise but downhilling I just want the flow
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Old 01-10-20, 07:07 PM
  #155  
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Originally Posted by RWBadley
Long time rider, new here tho... Greetings

I'm dredging this thread up from last decade...

I was an early adopter of 29" back in '06. A Gary Fisher 292. Great bike, I still have it and am in the midst of doing a few upgrades to it.

Recently I came onto a good deal on a Pivot 5.5. Fun bike with 27.5. Running 2.5 front and 2.4 rear it has quite a different personality than the 292.

In my personal arsenal there are several roadbikes, a town bike or two, a commuter bike, a couple or more vintage bikes of various types, a fixed gear, a Sturmey Archer 3 speed fixed gear (don't even ask..;-) a tandem... and the 292 and 5.5 Pivot.

I enjoy them all, but to answer this question as honestly as I am able based observation in this area of northern Nevada-

I think the e-bike is going to make pedal power bikes obsolete faster than any wheel size factor.

There, I said it! We are all invested in an obsolete tech going the way of the 8 track and rotary phone. hahahah

In my area I talk to three different bike shop owners and they are selling the heck out of them. I also am seeing an apparent mental shift of buyers. Our local craigslist is packed with bikes that are seeming incredibly cheap, given the level of quality. $4-6K e-bikes are flying out the doors at these shops because why spend 4K on a bike that has to be pedaled hard vs the same amount or a bit more on a well built e-assist. Granted that tech is changing faster than anything, but you know how it is with all things of that nature..

Myself and Linda we rode e-bikes for a week in Belgium and I have to admit it's quite intoxicating. I'm afraid to ride one on our trails here because I'm pretty sure I would like it. But I'm not yet ready to give up what I enjoy about pedaling my own weight around. Plus, if I bought one I'd have to get one for Linda too...
Welcome to the forum. I think you're right about the bikes. Out of 3 bikes I have, one is an ebike. It's a fat tire ebike I use around town. I love riding the bike. My wife has an ebike as well and loves it. I don't see replacing my Rock Mountain Altitude with a MTB ebike anytime soon but I would love to ride an upper end MTB ebike on some big trails.
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Old 01-13-20, 03:07 PM
  #156  
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Sigh. e-bike defeats the purpose of pedaling.
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Old 01-13-20, 03:11 PM
  #157  
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Originally Posted by prj71
Sigh. e-bike defeats the purpose of pedaling.
Yes, as do trucks that haul bikes up access roads to the start of runs and chairlifts on summertime ski hills. You should see how many people are crank up to the top of Whistler (not).

I don't downhill mtb to pedal - that's what my other 10 bikes are for.
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Old 01-14-20, 07:56 AM
  #158  
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Originally Posted by Happy Feet
Yes, as do trucks that haul bikes up access roads to the start of runs and chairlifts on summertime ski hills. You should see how many people are crank up to the top of Whistler (not).

I don't downhill mtb to pedal - that's what my other 10 bikes are for.
At least we are being honest here about the point of an eBike
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Old 01-14-20, 08:44 AM
  #159  
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There is a point to an E-bike?

The only reason to have an e-bike is if you have physical limitations that prevent you from pedaling long distances or up hills.
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Old 01-14-20, 09:21 AM
  #160  
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respectfully, disagree

IMO (like many previous posters, I once believed e-bikes were only a gadget for folks who didn't wish to pedal...think scooter).
I'm an avid year round mtb'r-bikepacker (rigid fatbike only), recent member to the medicare peleton and an occasional road rider that doesn't ride an E-bike but my Wife owns a e-fatbike, hardtail for non-technical trail riding on fire roads, easier-least technical-least crowded single track and occasionally on snow (both at home or on RV'g sojourns away).
When mashing (E-bike) with a 'lower' assist mode on sustained hill in a high gear to and from town (from the grocery store with a backpack filled with groceries) provides a VERY decent quad work out without getting sweaty and have tried single leg work outs which can be more sustained for longer intervals with the assist mode.
Above of all, it keeps her riding (nearly never in throttle mode) and that is always good.

Last edited by stormpeakco; 01-17-20 at 10:47 AM.
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Old 01-14-20, 09:49 AM
  #161  
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All these judgements... as if MTB's were practical modes of transportation and not recreational devices.
What is the point of carving an awkward trail with obstacles out of a hillside just so you can ride down it.
There is no "reason" to mountain bike. We do it for fun. Who's to say how another should have fun.

Pedaling certainly isn't the focus on this bike, with a 36T crank and an 11-25 cassette. Oh and it comes in 27.5

https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-US/v10

Last edited by Happy Feet; 01-14-20 at 12:57 PM.
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Old 01-14-20, 08:56 PM
  #162  
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E bikes rock
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Old 01-18-20, 03:24 PM
  #163  
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Originally Posted by dieterpi
I have a 27.5" mtb which is starting to show its age, and I have started looking for a replacement. (without a hurry)
It might be just me, but it looks like 27.5" is going to have same fate as 26"? All the new mountainbikes seem 29"...

I'm a bit hesitant of switching to a 29'er, because of the slight loss of manoeuvrability (perhaps nothing to be worried about?)
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Appears the 29er "re-popularity" may, currently, be a more of a regional phenomenon....spoke with the owner of my LBS when I stopped in for a bottle of Squirt and Stan's yesterday.
In Steamboat Springs it is right at 50/50 for 27.5 v. 29 sales last season (in his opinion).
Following the vast popularity of the 27.5 adoption, 29er frame manufacturers have re-tooled the frame geometry (altered seat & chain stay length) to shorten the overall length of the 2nd Gen 29er to help mitigate the turning radius limitation concerns.

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Old 01-19-20, 08:52 AM
  #164  
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Originally Posted by onyerleft
27.5 will live on as the rear wheel of the mullet. Is mullet the next big thing? You decide. One thing I do know is that nothing stays static in the world of MTB's. I'd be surprised if in 5 or 10 years, 29 front and rear is the platform with the most market share.
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I recall, say 10+ years ago, when the 96er was a favored hybrid adopted by some in the fringe and panned by the vast majority.
(IMO, perhaps cuz I'm old) likely I have no immediate nor long term plans to buy another mtb frame since I'm very satisfied with my present gear for my use....tho perhaps buy into a 1X16 in a decade (LOL).
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Old 01-19-20, 01:31 PM
  #165  
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Originally Posted by onyerleft
27.5 will live on as the rear wheel of the mullet. Is mullet the next big thing? You decide. One thing I do know is that nothing stays static in the world of MTB's. I'd be surprised if in 5 or 10 years, 29 front and rear is the platform with the most market share.
I like it

mullets 👍
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Old 01-20-20, 10:06 AM
  #166  
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Originally Posted by Rajflyboy
E bikes rock
And they are heavy like a big rock.
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Old 10-23-20, 09:04 AM
  #167  
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27.5 eliminated from the line up. Watch as others will follow.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/specia...look-2020.html
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Old 10-23-20, 10:39 AM
  #168  
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Originally Posted by prj71
27.5 eliminated from the line up. Watch as others will follow.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/specia...look-2020.html
What's old is new again. I've got 2010 Yeti 575, which used the same single-pivot & carbon flex seat stay approach.
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Old 10-24-20, 12:37 AM
  #169  
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I was pretty surprised when the new 5010 and Mojo 4 showed up in 27.5. The Salsa Rustler last year too.

All of these are “poppy playful” bikes
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Old 10-26-20, 01:44 PM
  #170  
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Originally Posted by gsa103
What's old is new again. I've got 2010 Yeti 575, which used the same single-pivot & carbon flex seat stay approach.
That Horst link was always nice and squishy but always sucked for climbing. Too much pedal bob.
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Old 10-27-20, 10:35 AM
  #171  
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I just recently started looking into mountain biking. From what I've found from talking to my LBS, 27.5 isn't dead, it just has a new look. I went in totally set on a 29er and they talked me into a 27.5 plus instead. Said that size is a better handling size compared to a 29. I walked out after cancelling my Trek Marlin 7 (29er) and putting my name on a Roscoe 7 (27.5+)...due in January.
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Old 10-27-20, 10:59 AM
  #172  
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Lol...your LBS hasn't caught up with the times. 27.5+ is also dying since 29 x 2.5+ tires are now available.

27.5+ was all the rave from late 2015-2019. All the bike manufactures had one in their lineup across the hard tails and full suspension. Now they are disappearing and the manufactures are selling the bikes with 29er tires and selling them as 27.5+ compatible. Leaving it up to the consumer to put them on if they want. The Trek Fuel EX used to be available as 27.5, 27.5+ and 29. Now 27.5+ has been eliminated from the line up and all you can get in the Fuel EX is 27.5 and 29. I expect by next year Trek will drop 27.5 from the Fuel EX line up. Just like Specialized dropped 27.5 from the Stumpjumper line up. Sales and market demand will make sure of that.
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Old 10-28-20, 08:36 AM
  #173  
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This talk of wheel sizes dying is pretty funny. It's like wearing your bike as a clothing fashion.
"what's hot this year, what's out".
26, 27.5, 29... there are parts available for all that won't be going away anytime soon. Ride what you like and stop worrying about fitting into this years trend.
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Old 10-28-20, 09:48 AM
  #174  
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There are parts available. But that isn't the discussion here.

Other than Walmart or some other department store bike shaped object...Go out there and try to buy a 26" mountain bike right now from one of the major bike manufactures. It ain't happening. 27.5 will go the same route because the majority of buyers prefer 29" tires.
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Old 10-28-20, 11:13 AM
  #175  
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At the rate companies are eliminating 27.5 and 27.5+ over the past year, 27.5 will be dead...

In about 10 years.
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