I've been riding a 29er for a few months now, and while I enjoy the bike a great deal, it isn't quite built for the kind of riding I do - which could best be classified as "all mountain." Additionally, while I like the rolling momentum and clearance of the big wheels, as well as the size (as I am a larger person the wheels seem to fit me a bit better), the long wheelbase, slightly sluggish acceleration, and somewhat unruly cornering tendencies at high speeds of the big wheels have been sources of frustration. I'm tempted to go back to a 26er hardtail with a nice 130mm fork up front, but I'm curious if a 650b setup might work better for me. A frame like the Santa Cruz Chameleon would be ideal for me, but I know that one won't fit the 650b wheels. Any comparable 26er frames out there compatible with 650b wheels that might work for me? I'm thinking perhaps the Velvet on the front, although I'm wonder how tough that fork is - I'm 6'4", 220 lbs, and I ride hard, with some jumps and drops up to about 3 feet. Something like the On One 456 or the Mountain Cycles Rumble would be ideal, as I also would want to have the setup be singlespeed.
I've been riding a 29er for a few months now, and while I enjoy the bike a great deal, it isn't quite built for the kind of riding I do - which could best be classified as "all mountain." Additionally, while I like the rolling momentum and clearance of the big wheels, as well as the size (as I am a larger person the wheels seem to fit me a bit better), the long wheelbase, slightly sluggish acceleration, and somewhat unruly cornering tendencies at high speeds of the big wheels have been sources of frustration. I'm tempted to go back to a 26er hardtail with a nice 130mm fork up front, but I'm curious if a 650b setup might work better for me. A frame like the Santa Cruz Chameleon would be ideal for me, but I know that one won't fit the 650b wheels. Any comparable 26er frames out there compatible with 650b wheels that might work for me? I'm thinking perhaps the Velvet on the front, although I'm wonder how tough that fork is - I'm 6'4", 220 lbs, and I ride hard, with some jumps and drops up to about 3 feet. Something like the On One 456 or the Mountain Cycles Rumble would be ideal, as I also would want to have the setup be singlespeed.
I'm 6'1" and I ride an OEM Komodo with a 2005 Vanilla. This setup is perfect. 130mm fork feels wonderful on the trail. I have the option of setting it at 100mm, but I hated it in comparison. The taller front end gives it more stability and comfort and the extra 1" of travel makes it soooo much more plush.
With 2.35" Kenda Excavators...I have no problem rolling over things. The 2" 650b tires are probably comparable in diameter to the 2.35" 26'er. (almost) the 2.3" Moto's are taller, but I am really liking my 26" setup for strength and versatility. The extra frame/fork clearance is a bonus too.
Hmm... after looking at the 456 again, I realized it doesn't have horizontal dropouts. So singlespeed wouldn't be an option, and I really don't want to run gears.
I may end up going back to a 26er, but I thought maybe a 650b setup would be the best of both worlds for me.
Hmm... after looking at the 456 again, I realized it doesn't have horizontal dropouts. So singlespeed wouldn't be an option, and I really don't want to run gears.
I may end up going back to a 26er, but I thought maybe a 650b setup would be the best of both worlds for me.
I don't know if it qualifes as "AM" but, fwiw, the Surly 1x1 is practically made for 650B wheels... really a perfect fit all around and you end up with a 12.1" - 12.2" BB height. :thumbsup:
Maybe the Surly Instigator would accept 650B wheels just as readily?
Sinister Ridge. a Fine AM hardtail. It was designed around a 160 fork, so if you put a shorter travel fork (say 130), and larger wheels the BB would end up in a similar height. Bruce at Sinister says the Ridge fits the Neo, but I haven't seen it yet.
I don't know if it qualifes as "AM" but, fwiw, the Surly 1x1 is practically made for 650B wheels... really a perfect fit all around and you end up with a 12.1" - 12.2" BB height. :thumbsup:
Maybe the Surly Instigator would accept 650B wheels just as readily?
The 1x1 is designed around an 80mm suspension fork - add an extra 2" and that BB is going to be significantly higher. Additionally, I wouldn't feel comfortable using a fork that much longer than the frame was designed to accommodate.
The Instigator has only vertical dropouts, so it couldn't be ran as a singlespeed without a tensioner.
I have posted this before, but Here is my On One 456 that i have Single speeded with the Neo-Motos, Needed a White Industries ENO Eccentric hub for the clearance. Though im running rigid forks, for a more XC ride, i love it. The steep angles make it quite a fast turner through the singletrack, which the Neo-Moto tyres eat up.
I totally forgot about the eccentric hub until stu44 posted his 456. I don't know what I was thinking.
The Instigator is heavy but would probably be about right for the job. What fork would you recommend? Is the Velvet up to the task? How do you think a bike like that would ride?
I am running a trek 69er, 26" for acceleration in the rear with a fox 100mm up front. I have been on 29ers for the last 3 years and will not go back after riding this setup. i am also interested in a 650b frame but the 69er is just the ticket for now...
The BB height on my build is nearly 14" with a Psylo Race fork (125mm) but I have no problem with that. Hell, its made it easier to clear some big logs as it happens... and if you've ever ridden a Mountain Cycles San Andreas before, you're well used to a high BB.
That looks really sweet, actually. The only problem is that I'm 6'4" with a 34" inseam -- even the 18" is going to feel tiny to me.
I wonder if the slot drop Inbred is the way to go? The 20" would be close to a good fit for me. The BB would end up at about 13", which might be just about right. I'm just worried about the clearance (I've only been able to find one picture on here of the tire clearance, and it looked pretty close) and whether or not that frame is going to be tough enough.
The Haro Beasley 1x9 frame is the perfect starting point for a 650B All-Mountain hardtail already... it just needs a double/triple ring crankset, front derailleur & shifter, and a 5" travel suspension fork (the Psylo Race i'm using is actually only an inch longer than the stock rigid fork, so with 20% sag its identical in terms of head angle). I'm still finalizing my bar/grips choice so I haven't taken pictures yet of my 2x9 setup.
The Haro Beasley 1x9 frame is the perfect starting point for a 650B All-Mountain hardtail already... it just needs a double/triple ring crankset, front derailleur & shifter, and a 5" travel suspension fork (the Psylo Race i'm using is actually only an inch longer than the stock rigid fork, so with 20% sag its identical in terms of head angle). I'm still finalizing my bar/grips choice so I haven't taken pictures yet of my 2x9 setup.
I like the Beasley frame, but I'm really not interested in an EBB. That's the issue with the 456 and the Instigator, as well -- I don't know about using the WI eccentric hub for the kind of riding I want to do. I'm hoping for something slightly overbuilt so I can do drops and jumps and not have to worry about my 225 lbs breaking anything. This is also my concern with the Inbred -- I don't really think it is made to take the kind of abuse I want to give a bike with 5" of suspension.
So far the only viable option seems to be the Sinister Ridge, which is a bit out of my price range (and I have been unable to find even a single used large frame). A 21" seat tube is perfect for me, but I can probably make the 19" Ridge work (I would have 10.5" of exposed post).
If only I had the money to get a custom frame! It always seems like the kind of bike I want is simply not produced.
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