Anyone running this combo on a trail/AM type bike and have comments, pros or cons? I'm not sold enough yet on the benefits of 27 to buy a new bike (nor are the funds available as wifey reminds me), but could convert the front fairly cheaply/easily. I wouldn't expect much better climbing with the little wheel out back, but possibly some rollover improvement on the downs(?) I have a spare front hub, could buy a 27.5 rim and build it up, have a 160mm Lyrik Uturn so could turn it down to get the geo/BB back where it belongs (may lose 10mm or so travel). Prob have to run a less big tire than a HD 2.35 to clear the fork arch. Just curious if it's even worth the trouble.. This would be on a '11 5-Spot. Thx
Dave I was going to go that route if I wasn't able to do a full conversion. I would think that the bike would descend better with that type of posture. I will experiment on Sunday.
might want to ask Tani. he did a 29/26 and mentioned that he may toy around with 650/26. http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/path-bike-shop/60868-my-weird-experiment.html
I have a friend who did it on his Giant Anthem Advanced. He swears by it, but he had to lower the stem a few spacers.
It's a '12 RS Lyrik Coil U-Turn for 26". I know that will limit my tire/size choice for 27.5, but have heard and seen pics that they can clear some 27.5 tire models. Also, it's straight 1 1/8 and run a zero stack lower cup. Also (sometimes) use an offset shock bushing which lowers the BB and slackens a little.
I'm trying it right now with a Blur LTc. I have a Fox 34 Float 160 650B up front and really like it so far. Just a few rides though. The front is a bit high and I've already lowered the stem, so I'm going to try lowering the fork to 150mm at some point. I really have to work to keep the front down climbing up steeps (Meadows was tough!) Otherwise the bike is really fun. I think the higher BB height is mitigated somewhat by having a dropper post. I do have to weight the front a little more while cornering/descending, but I feel more confident going through chunky stuff. More to come. Taking it to Mammoth at the end of the month.
Tried it, liked it. Tire choices were hard 3 or 4 years ago but now not so much. Ran a 29er fork. Have since moved on to a full 650B frame.
Tried 26/29 on a hardtail and had too much difficulty keeping the front down climbing steeper hills, but I may not have experimented enough.
One thing to consider dcfx: I was surprised that my 27.5 wheel with a 2.35 Nobby Nic wasn't that much bigger than my 26 wheel with a 2.2 Trail King. I know they say 27.5 is really more like 27.2. I thought it would be a bigger difference. I say this because if you have to go with a small 27.5 tire to fit in your fork, it may not be significantly bigger than a large volume 26 tire. Not trying to discourage you from trying this, but before you build the wheel up, investigate the tires you can fit in your fork, and make sure they will provide some added benefit. Good luck!
I would imagine it would work well. I owned a 8" travel bihit that was 26 front, 24 on back. It was pretty easy to throw the back around when needed.
Curious too. Friend did it on his Jekyll and liked it alot. Not sure my Marzocchi fork will clear a 650 though.
I did for most of a season. I liked it. I also like 26"/29" though, and grew up riding a Cannondale 24"/26" wheeled SM600 though, so I can get used to anything. 2 Wheel sizes on 1 bike still weirds normal people out though. I tweaked that bikes geometry & rear suspension sufficiently to afford clearance for a 650b rear wheel anyway. ...& then stuck a 29" wheel on the front. ...& then a short travel fork and a 4" fat bike tire on the front. Ultimately, these are like music albums. If you listen to any album long enough, you'll start to like it. If you ride any bike long enough, it'll start to feel normal.
On a Sunday STR Loop rid a few months ago, we discovered that a 29er wheel fits into my fork with room to spare. I will be trying a 69er very soon.
