by ryguy79 » Fri May 01, 2015 8:38 pm
27.5 is marketing in my opinion, but its killing off 26ers. I think 26 will become a niche thing among the devoted. I've demoed several 27.5, I don't feel significant advantages over my 26" bikes. I can feel the difference between my 26" and 29" bikes. The 29er feels like it carries momentum through chunky rocks better and is faster overall for general XC riding. For a hardtail I would only go 29er, or the new 27.5+ (27.5 wheel with bigger tires, approx same overall size as 29er with regular tires).
For reference, I have two 6+" travel 26ers (rebuilding one for dh park riding) and 1 hardtail 29er.
What you choose really depends how and what you want to ride. I like both going for long XC rides of 15+miles with 3000+ ft of climbing, generally on the 29er, but I also love to shred technical downhill stuff where the full suspension helps out. With a fast XC tire on the rear of my 29er I am noticeably faster climbing on it. But it also weighs way less than my full susp bikes. 29er hardtail is not as fun when it comes to trails with drops and jumps though.
Money wise, and just being honest here, If you really think you'll ride real trails regularly at $1k you're throwing money away. I've got about $1700 into my hardtail, which I built with a used Yeti Big Top frame and some used drivetrain stuff from other bikes of mine and remaining new parts. I got a bike that is, except for my used drivetrain, spec'd on par with $3kish bikes I've seen at local shops.
Also, can't say enough good about 1x drivetrains. I have 1x10 on my Pivot Firebird with a wolf tooth 42tooth expander on the cassette, and 2x9 on my Yeti. I've never been a fan of the way front derailleurs shift and its so nice to only have to think about 1 shifter. I will be going 1x on my Yeti after I finish my dh bike. If you can find 1x11 in your price range, go for it.
Other things -
Brakes - can't go wrong with Shimano, and the new SRAM Guide brakes I put on my Yeti are ridiculously good.
Dropper seat post - makes descending so much more fun.
Last edited by
ryguy79 on Fri May 01, 2015 9:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.