Survey: Best wheel size?
- Thread starter mark4444
- Start date
Rahr85
E*POWAH Master
The one you left out. I like the sharper turning.
Husky430
E*POWAH Elite
Tried the mullet and agree with Rahr85, that 27.5 x 2 seemed better for the type riding I do which is mainly trail/enduro type riding on single tracks where ever possible.
If you were more into downhill I think the mullet would come into it's own with the bigger wheel smoothing things out and it slackening the head angle slightly more.
I found that with the 29 on the front, in my type of riding, it would tend to 'push on' whilst cornering, plus seemed to turn tighter with both ends at 27.5, could have just been in my head, but that's how it felt to me.
If you were more into downhill I think the mullet would come into it's own with the bigger wheel smoothing things out and it slackening the head angle slightly more.
I found that with the 29 on the front, in my type of riding, it would tend to 'push on' whilst cornering, plus seemed to turn tighter with both ends at 27.5, could have just been in my head, but that's how it felt to me.
You made a wrong choice
"Problem" with this EMTB stuff is that people are always running after the latest trends instead of just going out and ride.
steve_sordy
Wedding Crasher
I have never tried a mullet, but it may reduce the instances of my arse being buzzed by the rear tyre. Which is why I would never use one of those metal studded ice tyres without a mudguard!
I have tried 26/27.5 and 29 and they all have their pros and cons. Right now I'm on my first 29er and I like it. 29ers feel like they roll over stuff better and although the manoeuvrability is marginally less in the twisty stuff it is not something that troubles me. In fact after the first twisty ride though the woods I stopped thinking about it.
I have tried 26/27.5 and 29 and they all have their pros and cons. Right now I'm on my first 29er and I like it. 29ers feel like they roll over stuff better and although the manoeuvrability is marginally less in the twisty stuff it is not something that troubles me. In fact after the first twisty ride though the woods I stopped thinking about it.
Andy.M
Member
Double 27.5 for me too. Its stopping me buying a new bike as I'm finding it hard to find/choose a model.
rydeezie
Well-known member
running 29/29 on one bike and 29/27.5 on another
both are good, but i find 27.5/27.5 to be the best
both are good, but i find 27.5/27.5 to be the best
- Thread starter
- #10
I'm a bit surprised to find so many like 27.5, and maybe with the motor larger wheels are less of a thing, as the motor helps you power of stuff... personally starting with 26", I went to 27.5" and that was better, then going to mullet, which felt better, then going to full 29 also seemed better, and now back to mullet which is again I think I like better than full 29. Which I know doesn't make much sense. So maybe it's good to just change it up every now and then.
nosuchuser
Member
27.5 all the way. 29ers look and ride like carthorses imo.
I’m sure there’sa lot of valuable E=MC knowledge out there to support all views, but it really comes down to your trails and riding style/preference. I’ve found that 27.5 is more lively and 29 is more stable. My current ride was just converted to a mullet and I’m very happy with it. Dropping the rear to 27.5 gave me a more desirable (for me) slacker head angle and the bike is noticeably more playful and lively on the down. Keeping the front at 29 makes the bike more stable in the real ruff and gnarly, but there is a trade off for quickness. It’s all about compromise.
NewLifeLevo
Member
For the last few years, I've always favoured a mullet setup (first analog and now Levo). But I switched to 27.5/27/5 with 2.8 tires for winter and the mud and loving it. Cornering, traction and fun in spades. Can't wait to try 2.4's in the spring and may not go back to mullet. So another vote for 27.5.
rydeezie
Well-known member
I wonder what the poll results would be if there were a 27.5/27.5 option....
KeithR
Well-known member
There's no such animal.
jbrown15
Well-known member
I ran my bike with a 27.5/27.5 setup for the first four months that I had it. I ride West Coast North Shore trails up in Vancouver. Mostly blacks and double black diamond trails.
I also recently switched to a Fox 38 mullet setup for the last two months. I find the 29er just gives me so much more confidence in the bike on the steep technical trails. My buddy has the exact same bike as me too and now he’s going to switch to the 29er front too.
At the same time if I mostly rode flow style trails without the steep tech I probably would have switched back to a 27.5/27.5 setup.
I also recently switched to a Fox 38 mullet setup for the last two months. I find the 29er just gives me so much more confidence in the bike on the steep technical trails. My buddy has the exact same bike as me too and now he’s going to switch to the 29er front too.
At the same time if I mostly rode flow style trails without the steep tech I probably would have switched back to a 27.5/27.5 setup.
I'm a bit surprised someone makes a poll with limited options. What did you think when you left the option away? Would be interesting to find out logic behind these irrelevant options provided here.
It's now more interesting than the results.
jooles
Active member
An age old debate.
It’s really down to personal preference, your style of riding, what you get used to and perhaps type of terrain.
ive run 29 for around 10 years now. Before eMtb. And found 29 to roll better. I’ve had 26 and 27.5 bikes too. The 27.5 felt positively similar to a 26 but 29 was noticeable. Maybe too much for some to go from 26-29.
smaller riders had issues of bum contact on the larger wheels hence when 29/27.5 was allowed in racing many when to a big roller up front.
I’m no expert but for me 29 up front helps the bike through more knarl...rocks gardens, helps grip on off camber loose and rooty. With reference to tight corners and switchbacks, technique is key. You have to crank the bike over harder for sure. However you can rail 29 around corners just look online. What’s as much a contributing factor is bike geo...longer chain stays, longer front center etc will make a bike feel less agile in corners as much as hoop size.
27.5 are better at jump tricks, whips etc due to less gyroscopic forces. Just more poppy. Maybe more bike park friendly.
Another factor is 29ers were for many years designed around road bike geometry. Steeper head angles, shorter travel shorter front centres, high bb etc etc. 27.5 was associated with long travel and DH. That’s now very much changed with 180mm 29er forks, 63 head angles and DH geometry.
stick the same rider on the same bike that can take 29 and 27 wheels on the same DH track and 29 often comes out faster.
Putting 27.5 in the back tightens rear end (ooh err) gives less flex and also allows shorter CS.
Anyway essay over - sorry long winded. There are some awesome bikes in both wheel sizes and mixed.
I’d like a survey on chainstay length now ;-)
ps Mullet is my fav ...and before EMtb exploded.
It’s really down to personal preference, your style of riding, what you get used to and perhaps type of terrain.
ive run 29 for around 10 years now. Before eMtb. And found 29 to roll better. I’ve had 26 and 27.5 bikes too. The 27.5 felt positively similar to a 26 but 29 was noticeable. Maybe too much for some to go from 26-29.
smaller riders had issues of bum contact on the larger wheels hence when 29/27.5 was allowed in racing many when to a big roller up front.
I’m no expert but for me 29 up front helps the bike through more knarl...rocks gardens, helps grip on off camber loose and rooty. With reference to tight corners and switchbacks, technique is key. You have to crank the bike over harder for sure. However you can rail 29 around corners just look online. What’s as much a contributing factor is bike geo...longer chain stays, longer front center etc will make a bike feel less agile in corners as much as hoop size.
27.5 are better at jump tricks, whips etc due to less gyroscopic forces. Just more poppy. Maybe more bike park friendly.
Another factor is 29ers were for many years designed around road bike geometry. Steeper head angles, shorter travel shorter front centres, high bb etc etc. 27.5 was associated with long travel and DH. That’s now very much changed with 180mm 29er forks, 63 head angles and DH geometry.
stick the same rider on the same bike that can take 29 and 27 wheels on the same DH track and 29 often comes out faster.
Putting 27.5 in the back tightens rear end (ooh err) gives less flex and also allows shorter CS.
Anyway essay over - sorry long winded. There are some awesome bikes in both wheel sizes and mixed.
I’d like a survey on chainstay length now ;-)
ps Mullet is my fav ...and before EMtb exploded.
It's just personal preference isn't it?
As I said up there, I've got mountain bikes with 29 wheels and bikes with 27.5 wheels. And I'm fine riding either, but I prefer the feel of 27.5.
It's hard to describe why I don't like 29 wheel bikes as much as 27.5,but every 29 inch wheel bike I've ridden(not just the one I own) always feels a bit like it's on stilts, I don't know why this is, because the bb height of the 29ers I've ridden is the same or lower than the 27.5 bikes, the handlebar height is the same.
On my trails my 29 wheel bike is clearly faster downhill than my 27.5 wheel bikes, but I prefer the feel of 27.5 wheel bikes in general.
29 inch wheel bikes I've ridden extensively : 2015 Spesh enduro. 2018 Spesh enduro, 2019 ibis ripmo, 2020 orbea wild fs all these have the same 'on stilts' feeling, to me anyway.
27.5 inch wheel bikes : 2018 yt capra, 2014 orbea rallon
As I said up there, I've got mountain bikes with 29 wheels and bikes with 27.5 wheels. And I'm fine riding either, but I prefer the feel of 27.5.
It's hard to describe why I don't like 29 wheel bikes as much as 27.5,but every 29 inch wheel bike I've ridden(not just the one I own) always feels a bit like it's on stilts, I don't know why this is, because the bb height of the 29ers I've ridden is the same or lower than the 27.5 bikes, the handlebar height is the same.
On my trails my 29 wheel bike is clearly faster downhill than my 27.5 wheel bikes, but I prefer the feel of 27.5 wheel bikes in general.
29 inch wheel bikes I've ridden extensively : 2015 Spesh enduro. 2018 Spesh enduro, 2019 ibis ripmo, 2020 orbea wild fs all these have the same 'on stilts' feeling, to me anyway.
27.5 inch wheel bikes : 2018 yt capra, 2014 orbea rallon
N9VNS
Active member
27.5 front and rear for me too. Another reason I went for the whyte.
jooles
Active member
I agree and as you say sometimes it’s the psychology that gives impressions however being positive on a bike is as important as wheel size for sure.
I too run a Spesh 2015 and mullet it when steeper stuff beckons ( not at moment ref full hospitals) as have a choice of technicality riding from my door. This also drops the BB by a fair degree adding to stability.
The BB height of the bikes you have ridden (a great selection btw) varies. The 29 Ripmo has a bb height of 341 ...Lower than YT at 346. So in terms of physics, when descending and weight is on BB you are actually lower with CoG on the 29er. However figures don’t relate to feel. Maybe just seeing a big wheel up front gives the impression of being on stilts. But if faster on 29 then somethings working well. It may be that your Rallon feels more poppy and fun due to geometry etc.
I far prefer my 2015 E29 to the 27.5 Commencal meta AM owned a few years ago. The 27.5 front wheel on rock gardens just felt draggy vs the 29. However this may have been just me being used to 29 upfront.
the Enduro 29 and Intense Tracer were the first two proper 29ers imho, departing from the road bike umbilical cord. This has for sure driven into EMtb geo too.
in terms of on stilts...my e29 does feel higher than a mates 27 spectral but then the reach and CS length on that bike is smaller too.
Seems what it boils down to is no wrong and right just what suits the individual, their riding style, riding conditions and previous experiences.
A good debate however do agree the 27/27 category is one that cannot be ignored ...you’re dialling out bikes like the Whyte and Kenevo. Mind by the time you’ve stuck fat tyres on a 27 rim it’s up to near 29er ;-)
I too run a Spesh 2015 and mullet it when steeper stuff beckons ( not at moment ref full hospitals) as have a choice of technicality riding from my door. This also drops the BB by a fair degree adding to stability.
The BB height of the bikes you have ridden (a great selection btw) varies. The 29 Ripmo has a bb height of 341 ...Lower than YT at 346. So in terms of physics, when descending and weight is on BB you are actually lower with CoG on the 29er. However figures don’t relate to feel. Maybe just seeing a big wheel up front gives the impression of being on stilts. But if faster on 29 then somethings working well. It may be that your Rallon feels more poppy and fun due to geometry etc.
I far prefer my 2015 E29 to the 27.5 Commencal meta AM owned a few years ago. The 27.5 front wheel on rock gardens just felt draggy vs the 29. However this may have been just me being used to 29 upfront.
the Enduro 29 and Intense Tracer were the first two proper 29ers imho, departing from the road bike umbilical cord. This has for sure driven into EMtb geo too.
in terms of on stilts...my e29 does feel higher than a mates 27 spectral but then the reach and CS length on that bike is smaller too.
Seems what it boils down to is no wrong and right just what suits the individual, their riding style, riding conditions and previous experiences.
A good debate however do agree the 27/27 category is one that cannot be ignored ...you’re dialling out bikes like the Whyte and Kenevo. Mind by the time you’ve stuck fat tyres on a 27 rim it’s up to near 29er ;-)
Eddy Current
E*POWAH Master
And another 27.5/27.5 here ... with the added weight and the usual long chainstays of ebikes 29er is the worst you can do, at least on both ends.
jooles
Active member
Mmmmmm
- Thread starter
- #26
the logic was based on DH and enduro racers have pretty much all gone to at least 29 up front... then the sponsor that make the bikes seem to be following. But you're right, I really didn't expect this much interest in 27.5. The only answer is to make another survey, with all the wheel options including 26/26, But I'll give it some time
jooles
Active member
Many have gone 29 at least up front as found to be fast, once rolling, they wouldn’t go 29 if it was slower. Take Martin Maes for example....
if you want short front end and short CS get a 26/26 ;-)
27.5 is actually nearer 27.0 than 27.5. When I had a 27.5 meta AM found it not hugely dissimilar to 26 up front. 29 does feel different and takes time to adapt. It’s often not instant coming off smaller a wheel.
I really like the mullet setup on both Ebike and non Ebike but as said above its personal and what you get used to.
Bear in mind a 29er frame can also take 27.5. Gives flexibility however you will (being serious now) get longer CS to accommodate the wheel sizes. Oh, unles you go Focus Sam2....adjustable chainstays from 430 to 450. Awesome looking bike.
if you want short front end and short CS get a 26/26 ;-)
27.5 is actually nearer 27.0 than 27.5. When I had a 27.5 meta AM found it not hugely dissimilar to 26 up front. 29 does feel different and takes time to adapt. It’s often not instant coming off smaller a wheel.
I really like the mullet setup on both Ebike and non Ebike but as said above its personal and what you get used to.
Bear in mind a 29er frame can also take 27.5. Gives flexibility however you will (being serious now) get longer CS to accommodate the wheel sizes. Oh, unles you go Focus Sam2....adjustable chainstays from 430 to 450. Awesome looking bike.
jooles
Active member
Check out Enduro Bikes 2020 speed shootout:
enduro-mtb.com
A good review of bikes with varying chainstays, geometry and reach etc. This does transpose to EMtb also so may give you a good benchmark of what may suit.
The fastest enduro race bike – 10 bikes go head-to-head on an EWS stage
Which is the fastest enduro bike of 2020? With most of the 2020 season cancelled, we decided to put on a race of our own to answer that very question.
enduro-mtb.com
A good review of bikes with varying chainstays, geometry and reach etc. This does transpose to EMtb also so may give you a good benchmark of what may suit.
I have 3 x 27.5/27.5 eBikes and just picked up my first mullet. Only had a few rides but I really think I'm a convert. I was really skeptical and it's hard to just take the wheel size in isolation (new fork etc..) but, damn, I like the way the front end on the new bike feels.
Haven't voted because I don't think the results will represent properly. Three weeks ago I would have been firmly in the 27.5 camp. Today, I'm not so sure...
Gordon
Haven't voted because I don't think the results will represent properly. Three weeks ago I would have been firmly in the 27.5 camp. Today, I'm not so sure...
Gordon
Husky430
E*POWAH Elite
What's the new mulleted bike Gordon, you don't say in your reply
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