Is 27.5" dead?
#126
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This has nothing to do with bike size or mid travel vs dh vs. XC. It has to do with wheel preference of the consumer...which is 29...which is why Giant brought back the 29 because they realized they made a mistake offering all of their models as 27.5 only for a few short years.
You keep declaring that there will soon be no 27.5 produced, but the only evidence you ever show is that there are fewer models sold now than a few years ago. That does not show that they are going completely away, just like it did not indicate that plus bikes were.
Last edited by Kapusta; 11-20-19 at 10:00 PM.
#127
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I tend to think 27.5 has a spot for smaller stature riders that find 29r's cumbersome.
It's funny how people declare things dead just because they slip in momentary popularity. It's a little more accurate to say the fad or craze is dead which then leads to the product assuming a more natural role defined by the benefits they present.
It's funny how people declare things dead just because they slip in momentary popularity. It's a little more accurate to say the fad or craze is dead which then leads to the product assuming a more natural role defined by the benefits they present.
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#128
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27.5 not even in coma
At 5' 6" 29ers felt to big, but fast. 27.5 perfect for my size and the rocky Tucson trails. Have 2 27.5 bikes so hope not in ER mode.
#129
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Huh, why are you declaring 29/27.5+ bikes to be a sign of 29ers taking over 27.5+ territory and not the other way around? Sorry, but that just does not hold water. Plus size has decreased in numbers and popularity from a few years ago, but is clearly NOT going away at this point. Which throws water on your assertion that since you see less of something that it is a sign of going away completely.
You keep declaring that there will soon be no 27.5 produced, but the only evidence you ever show is that there are fewer models sold now than a few years ago. That does not show that they are going completely away, just like it did not indicate that plus bikes were.
IMO...27.5 will be a thing of the past within the next 2-5 years. Just an educated guess knowing how things work in the bike industry.
#130
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Specialized, Trek, Giant, Santa Cruz, C-dale, Kona, Fuji, Salsa, All City, Jamis, ALL have 27+ compatible bikes NOT marketed as 29ers. In fact, in many cases the 27.5+/29er bikes are marketed as 27.5+ first. Pivot and Surly list 27.5+/27compatible ones as exactly that..They are NOT marketed first as 29ers.
So I don't know where you are getting your info from, here.
Again, there is zero evidence that they are being phased "out". Nearly every bike company is making them and marketing them as such. Just not as many a a few years ago. That is what is known as a "correction".
IMO...27.5 will be a thing of the past within the next 2-5 years. Just an educated guess knowing how things work in the bike industry.
Last edited by Kapusta; 11-21-19 at 12:46 PM.
#132
Its Freakin HammerTime!!!
for me yes. had the scott spark 740 and changed to the 940 and wont ever go back to the 27.5. Dont ask me why its just better.
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You should have looked into that statement before making it, because it is not true.
Specialized, Trek, Giant, Santa Cruz, C-dale, Kona, Fuji, Salsa, All City, Jamis, ALL have 27+ compatible bikes NOT marketed as 29ers. In fact, in many cases the 27.5+/29er bikes are marketed as 27.5+ first. Pivot and Surly list 27.5+/27compatible ones as exactly that..They are NOT marketed first as 29ers.
So I don't know where you are getting your info from, here.
Again, there is zero evidence that they are being phased "out". Nearly every bike company is making them and marketing them as such. Just not as many a a few years ago. That is what is known as a "correction".
That is an empty argument. Sometimes prediction of doom are correct (like with 26") and sometimes they are not (like plus tires).
And that is fine, but "opinion" and "guess" are the keys words. And that is important to note when you state (seemingly as fact) that Giant plans to phase out 27.5 in two years when you actually have zero information on that.
Specialized, Trek, Giant, Santa Cruz, C-dale, Kona, Fuji, Salsa, All City, Jamis, ALL have 27+ compatible bikes NOT marketed as 29ers. In fact, in many cases the 27.5+/29er bikes are marketed as 27.5+ first. Pivot and Surly list 27.5+/27compatible ones as exactly that..They are NOT marketed first as 29ers.
So I don't know where you are getting your info from, here.
Again, there is zero evidence that they are being phased "out". Nearly every bike company is making them and marketing them as such. Just not as many a a few years ago. That is what is known as a "correction".
That is an empty argument. Sometimes prediction of doom are correct (like with 26") and sometimes they are not (like plus tires).
And that is fine, but "opinion" and "guess" are the keys words. And that is important to note when you state (seemingly as fact) that Giant plans to phase out 27.5 in two years when you actually have zero information on that.
Specialized's number one selling mountain bike (StumpJumper) Is only offered as 27.5 or 29er with 27.5+ combatibility. Their 27.5+ offerings are an e-bike, a hardtail and one enduro downhill bike. But otherwise they have a mix of 27.5 and 29
Trek doesn't have any 27.5+ bikes right now. They switch between 27.5 and 29 depending on bike size.
Giant has one 27.5+ offering which is the XTC Advanceda and mix of 27.5 and 29
I don't think 27.5+ will be phased out. Too many benefits. Almost same diameter as 29 and better traction.
However, I do feel 27.5 will be phased out in the near future. We can just agree to disagree on that.
Last edited by prj71; 11-25-19 at 09:47 AM.
#134
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I hope all 3 wheel sizes remain. Choices should be available for all size, style, want... the differences are not that major to abandon any wheel size. Rode the best bikes in all wheel sizes and this is just my feelings.
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With the amout of replacement components available, how often do you need to buy the same bike over and over?
People have been saying 26" is dead for years now but there are still a million flames out there, a plethora of components, and if one wanted a new bike one could just get a frame builder to make it, which is pretty easy these days.
Same will apply to 27.5 for decades I presume.
The only dead aspect is that you may not be able to read the ad copy in next years consumer oriented magazines that try to convince readers they need that years hot thing.
...so dead only really applies to the notion of consumer bait lust candy.
People have been saying 26" is dead for years now but there are still a million flames out there, a plethora of components, and if one wanted a new bike one could just get a frame builder to make it, which is pretty easy these days.
Same will apply to 27.5 for decades I presume.
The only dead aspect is that you may not be able to read the ad copy in next years consumer oriented magazines that try to convince readers they need that years hot thing.
...so dead only really applies to the notion of consumer bait lust candy.
#137
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With the amout of replacement components available, how often do you need to buy the same bike over and over?
People have been saying 26" is dead for years now but there are still a million flames out there, a plethora of components, and if one wanted a new bike one could just get a frame builder to make it, which is pretty easy these days.
Same will apply to 27.5 for decades I presume.
The only dead aspect is that you may not be able to read the ad copy in next years consumer oriented magazines that try to convince readers they need that years hot thing.
...so dead only really applies to the notion of consumer bait lust candy.
People have been saying 26" is dead for years now but there are still a million flames out there, a plethora of components, and if one wanted a new bike one could just get a frame builder to make it, which is pretty easy these days.
Same will apply to 27.5 for decades I presume.
The only dead aspect is that you may not be able to read the ad copy in next years consumer oriented magazines that try to convince readers they need that years hot thing.
...so dead only really applies to the notion of consumer bait lust candy.
This conversation relates to complete bikes being sold by all bike manufacturers.
26" wheels and their components...yes you can still purchase all of that from online bike stores such as Jenson etc. But you will be hard pressed to find any of the major mountain bike companies selling a 26" mountain bike.
So yes...26" is dead. The 26" offerings out there are limited to department store bikes which are junk.
#138
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This conversation relates to complete bikes being sold by all bike manufacturers.
26" wheels and their components...yes you can still purchase all of that from online bike stores such as Jenson etc. But you will be hard pressed to find any of the major mountain bike companies selling a 26" mountain bike.
So yes...26" is dead. The 26" offerings out there are limited to department store bikes which are junk.
26" wheels and their components...yes you can still purchase all of that from online bike stores such as Jenson etc. But you will be hard pressed to find any of the major mountain bike companies selling a 26" mountain bike.
So yes...26" is dead. The 26" offerings out there are limited to department store bikes which are junk.
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?)
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?)
What does anyone get out of stating certain bikes are dead? What is the pay off unless you are buying stocks in future 27.5 bicycle sales? In a world where you can buy just about any style off the shelf or get a builder to make whatever you want (as you just suggested to the OP in the 29r dropbar thread) such statements seem limited to those viewing bike ownership as a popularity contest and are afraid of being caught on the wrong side of fashion.
Last edited by Happy Feet; 11-25-19 at 03:08 PM.
#139
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The bike stores around me right now have more 27.5 medium tires in stock (2.3-2.6) than they do plus (2.8-3)
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Still buying rims, tires and tubes for 27" wheelsets with no real problem with selection. This is 20+ yrs after the last mass produced bike was sold with 27" wheelsets. Happy Feet has it right, Who cares. 27.5"(650B) size tires, tubes, and rims will be available for decades after the last one was produced. 650B rims, tires and tubes have always been available in Europe and maybe elsewhere and got turned into 27.5" MTB wheelsets by creative bike marketers looking to get people to switch from the perfectly capable MTB's they had to the new Fashionable, Rational, and Oh So Very Much Better than that old outdated, unfashionable clunker you call a bicycle. Gets em every time and we now have 6 Billion dollars spent on bicycles in America instead of 5 Billion. Who says that fashion doesn't sell.
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I realise this is a US focused forum so from the perspective that the US retail market specialist bike shops are gradually reducing 27.5" bikes may be correct but shouldn't extend that out to the world where the European market may be different and buys mores bikes and 26" mountain bikes still dominate in China with much larger sales. Also seems unfair to completely dismiss the lower priced bikes, walmart, amazon etc many of which are used for leisure use and very easy trails which are dominated by 26" bikes.
Most of my bikes are older 26" mountain bikes I must admit but then I'm not a serious off-roader just like to explore the country side and I like to buy bikes pretty cheaply.
Most of my bikes are older 26" mountain bikes I must admit but then I'm not a serious off-roader just like to explore the country side and I like to buy bikes pretty cheaply.
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Still buying rims, tires and tubes for 27" wheelsets with no real problem with selection. This is 20+ yrs after the last mass produced bike was sold with 27" wheelsets. Happy Feet has it right, Who cares. 27.5"(650B) size tires, tubes, and rims will be available for decades after the last one was produced. 650B rims, tires and tubes have always been available in Europe and maybe elsewhere and got turned into 27.5" MTB wheelsets by creative bike marketers looking to get people to switch from the perfectly capable MTB's they had to the new Fashionable, Rational, and Oh So Very Much Better than that old outdated, unfashionable clunker you call a bicycle. Gets em every time and we now have 6 Billion dollars spent on bicycles in America instead of 5 Billion. Who says that fashion doesn't sell.
As I noted earlier...this thread is about complete mountain bikes. Not available components.
#144
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I realise this is a US focused forum so from the perspective that the US retail market specialist bike shops are gradually reducing 27.5" bikes may be correct but shouldn't extend that out to the world where the European market may be different and buys mores bikes and 26" mountain bikes still dominate in China with much larger sales. Also seems unfair to completely dismiss the lower priced bikes, walmart, amazon etc many of which are used for leisure use and very easy trails which are dominated by 26" bikes.
Most of my bikes are older 26" mountain bikes I must admit but then I'm not a serious off-roader just like to explore the country side and I like to buy bikes pretty cheaply.
Most of my bikes are older 26" mountain bikes I must admit but then I'm not a serious off-roader just like to explore the country side and I like to buy bikes pretty cheaply.
The crap at Walmart is just that. Crap.
#145
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It seems 27.5 is still available in the near future and we can assume after that the concern is about finding parts for that bike. If 26 is any guide, there should be ample parts to fix it down the road.
The maneuverability issue really depends on the rider size. If they are larger probably no problem but if they are smaller in stature they may find 29 to be a bit much to push around.
Here's the OP - let's confirm:
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?)
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?)
Last edited by Happy Feet; 12-03-19 at 09:16 PM.
#146
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Not your thread but... I thought it was about the OP's concern regarding possible maneuverability issue going to 29 instead of 27.5 and worrying about replacing a worn out bike with a new one in the near future. They have 27.5, seems like they like 27.5, but are worried 27.5 might go away by then.
It seems 27.5 is still available in the near future and we can assume after that the concern is about finding parts for that bike. If 26 is any guide, there should be ample parts to fix it down the road.
The maneuverability issue really depends on the rider size. If they are larger probably no problem but if they are smaller in stature they may find 29 to be a bit much to push around.
Here's the OP - let's confirm:
It seems 27.5 is still available in the near future and we can assume after that the concern is about finding parts for that bike. If 26 is any guide, there should be ample parts to fix it down the road.
The maneuverability issue really depends on the rider size. If they are larger probably no problem but if they are smaller in stature they may find 29 to be a bit much to push around.
Here's the OP - let's confirm:
#147
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You clearly have an elitist attitude dismissing just about everywhere in the world and all other price points which you have no interest in. The industry is surely a term that indicates all of the cycling industry across the whole globe. However I do understand the point that at retail in the US 27.5" is becoming far less important but that isn't a reflection of the industry that is a reflection of consumer demands in the US who buy higher end mountain bikes. Huge number of people buy and use Walmart bikes, there are simple practical bikes amongst the more ridiculous cheap dual suspension bikes. I personally don't see them as crap if people are riding them and enjoying them. On youtube you only have to look at channels like kevcentral to see a huge amount of people who love their walmart bikes even with their faults (depending on model).
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Huge number of people buy and use Walmart bikes, there are simple practical bikes amongst the more ridiculous cheap dual suspension bikes. I personally don't see them as crap if people are riding them and enjoying them.
On youtube you only have to look at channels like kevcentral to see a huge amount of people who love their walmart bikes even with their faults (depending on model).
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Saw a mountain bike at Walmart yesterday. Had a big sign on it that said good for riders 5'3" to 6'2"
That thing must have one hell of a long seat post!!!!!
That thing must have one hell of a long seat post!!!!!