http://650b.com/2007/09/29/interbike-07-650b-opinion/ Rumors, News and Reviews on 27.5 inch wheeled mountain bikes Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:18:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 http://650b.com/2007/09/29/interbike-07-650b-opinion/#comment-54 Arleigh Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:06:14 +0000 http://650b.com/2007/09/29/interbike-07-650b-opinion/#comment-54 I agree completely with you Andre. Guitar Ted is very set in his 29er world which is allowed. 650b will open many doors to suspension designers. Once another 650b fork comes out I think we will see MANY companies developing. I agree completely with you Andre. Guitar Ted is very set in his 29er world which is allowed. 650b will open many doors to suspension designers. Once another 650b fork comes out I think we will see MANY companies developing.

]]> http://650b.com/2007/09/29/interbike-07-650b-opinion/#comment-53 Andre Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:41:05 +0000 http://650b.com/2007/09/29/interbike-07-650b-opinion/#comment-53 I strongly disagree actually. I think once the merits of 650b are weighed, they really really make sense. 29er is cool but you have to build a very expensive and/or heavy wheelset to have them strong. They also have benefits but handle like a Caddy when hauling ass. Feels good but also feels like a Caddy, not too exciting and not sporty... Plus the geometry, you cannot build a smart bike IMO without long, really long stays. Market demand has forced 29er into 4" and even 5" models but the only one doing it really smartly is Devin Lenz at LenzSport with his bent seat tube. When speaking with a lot of the guys who are pushing the 29er lineup further, most concur the geometry of 29er full suspension at 4" and 5" is a compromise. 650b, however, can be built to tried and true suspension geometry, stronger, and offer some of the benefits of 29ers without the wackiness. Finally, all the fork manufacturers have to do is minor tweaks to offer dual compatible 26" / 27.5" forks. I think we'll see it happen in the next couple years... I strongly disagree actually. I think once the merits of 650b are weighed, they really really make sense. 29er is cool but you have to build a very expensive and/or heavy wheelset to have them strong. They also have benefits but handle like a Caddy when hauling ass. Feels good but also feels like a Caddy, not too exciting and not sporty… Plus the geometry, you cannot build a smart bike IMO without long, really long stays. Market demand has forced 29er into 4″ and even 5″ models but the only one doing it really smartly is Devin Lenz at LenzSport with his bent seat tube. When speaking with a lot of the guys who are pushing the 29er lineup further, most concur the geometry of 29er full suspension at 4″ and 5″ is a compromise. 650b, however, can be built to tried and true suspension geometry, stronger, and offer some of the benefits of 29ers without the wackiness. Finally, all the fork manufacturers have to do is minor tweaks to offer dual compatible 26″ / 27.5″ forks. I think we’ll see it happen in the next couple years…

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