650b wheels will be bonkers awesome at Platty. They have just enough traction to optimize the surf and slash.
650 for future freeride and DH bikes
- Thread starter daisycutter
- Start date
Bigger wheels are coming, I'm pretty sure of it. Only a matter of time now (and tires).
Well, I've changed my tune. I like my 29" wheels and I think a bike's geometry can do a lot to make them not handle like **** (as I've recently experienced). I just don't know if there's any point in making them for DH. I think one of the Athertons suggested there will be an advantage, but once it catches on, everybody will be on them, so what's the point of switching to the new wheel size? Maybe at a non-competition level, but that's what trail riding is...
IMO, Shorter stays. Really important. More travel, also really important. Less gyroscopic effect, stiffer, stronger. 27.5 is far superior to 29". 29" is just too big and kooky. Maybe a mash up will become the norm, but doubt it.
But most of all
FUN!
You know what will allow for even more of those things: a 26" wheel!
But wait, a 24" wheel will allow even shorter stays, more travel, less gyroscopic effect and will be even stiffer and stronger, so much better!
But hey, what if we used 22" or 20" wheels...
The wheel size will always be a trade-off, there is not one optimum size as different bikes and different riders demand different things.
27.5 should roll over stuff better.
24" although stronger/stiffer, I found the spokes come loose easier due to less length for elasticity, but I could well be tripping/wrong.
With a rearward axle path and 27.5 wheels, the stays should be plenty short enough. I'd say they could get them sub 17" easy. Not so easy/possible with 29".
Horses for courses yes, but thee is always a more advantageous solution. I think 27.5 might have the edge but I'm probably not considering some factor.
26" will always be the most fun, but I'd say 27.5 would be faster.
I don't think it would be a problem to keep a chainstay length of 17.6" or so with a more vertical axle path, achievable with some of the dual link designs. A high pivot bike kind of neutralizes the effects of a short chainstay anyways. BCD got sub 16.5 with his abomination, but that was some heavy custom work with zero mud clearance at top out.
