Is the 29 / 27.5 combo (97.5) bike here to stay?

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Bike Setup
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Adam_Schaeffer 4/30/2019 9:42am
4/30/2019 9:42am
derelict wrote:
So, who is designing bikes meant for this combo? I know Foes has one but who else? I rode a Trek 69er when it came out...
So, who is designing bikes meant for this combo? I know Foes has one but who else? I rode a Trek 69er when it came out and it rotated well and accelerated faster than a full 29er but the 3" difference in wheel made it seem tippy. The 27.5 being just a little bigger makes it seem like a great option
The new bikes from Guerrilla Gravity can be configured this way. Essentially you run the Shred Dog or Megatrail frame with the flush headset cup and shorten your 29er fork travel by 10-20mm.
derelict
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derelict 4/30/2019 9:44am
4/30/2019 9:44am
derelict wrote:
So, who is designing bikes meant for this combo? I know Foes has one but who else? I rode a Trek 69er when it came out...
So, who is designing bikes meant for this combo? I know Foes has one but who else? I rode a Trek 69er when it came out and it rotated well and accelerated faster than a full 29er but the 3" difference in wheel made it seem tippy. The 27.5 being just a little bigger makes it seem like a great option
Adam_Schaeffer wrote:
The new bikes from Guerrilla Gravity can be configured this way. Essentially you run the Shred Dog or Megatrail frame with the flush headset cup and...
The new bikes from Guerrilla Gravity can be configured this way. Essentially you run the Shred Dog or Megatrail frame with the flush headset cup and shorten your 29er fork travel by 10-20mm.
Right on. I actually just listened to the podcast and the bits about their modular approach. I emailed them this morning to see if the Trail Pistol can be set up this way.
Unicycle
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Unicycle 4/30/2019 12:44pm
4/30/2019 12:44pm
I find it interesting that it has gone to this so quickly. 29ers really only had 1 season where they were largely adopted by most/some of the riders. The fact that they are already trying to change the wheel size again makes me think that the whole 29 thing for DH isn't optimal.

IMO, 27.5 is a good happy medium and I wish 29 would die a quick death . It really increases cost of goods due to market size.

The riders that have recently done well on the 297.5 or whatever the hell they are calling it, would have won on any wheel size configuration...because, well.. they're really good riders who have shown their speed in the past.
2
2
Adam_Schaeffer 4/30/2019 1:11pm
4/30/2019 1:11pm
derelict wrote:
So, who is designing bikes meant for this combo? I know Foes has one but who else? I rode a Trek 69er when it came out...
So, who is designing bikes meant for this combo? I know Foes has one but who else? I rode a Trek 69er when it came out and it rotated well and accelerated faster than a full 29er but the 3" difference in wheel made it seem tippy. The 27.5 being just a little bigger makes it seem like a great option
Adam_Schaeffer wrote:
The new bikes from Guerrilla Gravity can be configured this way. Essentially you run the Shred Dog or Megatrail frame with the flush headset cup and...
The new bikes from Guerrilla Gravity can be configured this way. Essentially you run the Shred Dog or Megatrail frame with the flush headset cup and shorten your 29er fork travel by 10-20mm.
derelict wrote:
Right on. I actually just listened to the podcast and the bits about their modular approach. I emailed them this morning to see if the Trail...
Right on. I actually just listened to the podcast and the bits about their modular approach. I emailed them this morning to see if the Trail Pistol can be set up this way.
Technically you'd start with the Shred Dog frame and run a flush lower cup and a 29er fork set at 130-140mm.
w4s
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w4s 4/30/2019 8:49pm
4/30/2019 8:49pm Edited Date/Time 4/30/2019 8:51pm
Adam_Schaeffer wrote:
The new bikes from Guerrilla Gravity can be configured this way. Essentially you run the Shred Dog or Megatrail frame with the flush headset cup and...
The new bikes from Guerrilla Gravity can be configured this way. Essentially you run the Shred Dog or Megatrail frame with the flush headset cup and shorten your 29er fork travel by 10-20mm.
derelict wrote:
Right on. I actually just listened to the podcast and the bits about their modular approach. I emailed them this morning to see if the Trail...
Right on. I actually just listened to the podcast and the bits about their modular approach. I emailed them this morning to see if the Trail Pistol can be set up this way.
Adam_Schaeffer wrote:
Technically you'd start with the Shred Dog frame and run a flush lower cup and a 29er fork set at 130-140mm.
I hit up GG about the running the Mega in 29/27.5 couple months ago and there's a couple steps and lots more $$ to get it set up that way. to my mind, there's very few companies that have combo bikes ready for sale, Pole does the 130 travel bike, that's about it. Seems like we may get couple more companies jump on board now. I would gladly sell my Transition Sentinel for a bike with the same geo but with a 165mm 27.5 rear.

derelict
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derelict 5/1/2019 4:45am
5/1/2019 4:45am
derelict wrote:
Right on. I actually just listened to the podcast and the bits about their modular approach. I emailed them this morning to see if the Trail...
Right on. I actually just listened to the podcast and the bits about their modular approach. I emailed them this morning to see if the Trail Pistol can be set up this way.
Adam_Schaeffer wrote:
Technically you'd start with the Shred Dog frame and run a flush lower cup and a 29er fork set at 130-140mm.
w4s wrote:
I hit up GG about the running the Mega in 29/27.5 couple months ago and there's a couple steps and lots more $$ to get it...
I hit up GG about the running the Mega in 29/27.5 couple months ago and there's a couple steps and lots more $$ to get it set up that way. to my mind, there's very few companies that have combo bikes ready for sale, Pole does the 130 travel bike, that's about it. Seems like we may get couple more companies jump on board now. I would gladly sell my Transition Sentinel for a bike with the same geo but with a 165mm 27.5 rear.

I am looking at a Trail Pistol and the quote I got for their entry build, with the different rear end and a 27.5 instead of 29, was not at all out of bounds. It is about the same, if not a bit less, than the other brands. They said geo will not change much at all from the way it is now and I like the idea of supporting made in America stuff. I will be picking one up in a few months.
MatadorCE
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MatadorCE 5/1/2019 6:49am
5/1/2019 6:49am Edited Date/Time 5/1/2019 6:49am
Unicycle wrote:
I find it interesting that it has gone to this so quickly. 29ers really only had 1 season where they were largely adopted by most/some of...
I find it interesting that it has gone to this so quickly. 29ers really only had 1 season where they were largely adopted by most/some of the riders. The fact that they are already trying to change the wheel size again makes me think that the whole 29 thing for DH isn't optimal.

IMO, 27.5 is a good happy medium and I wish 29 would die a quick death . It really increases cost of goods due to market size.

The riders that have recently done well on the 297.5 or whatever the hell they are calling it, would have won on any wheel size configuration...because, well.. they're really good riders who have shown their speed in the past.
I'm surprised as well how a mixed wheel size wasn't welcomed with torches and axes in hand, unlike 29er DH bikes. Good to see 27.5 ain't dead even if it's just in the back.
derelict
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derelict 5/1/2019 7:29am
5/1/2019 7:29am
Unicycle wrote:
I find it interesting that it has gone to this so quickly. 29ers really only had 1 season where they were largely adopted by most/some of...
I find it interesting that it has gone to this so quickly. 29ers really only had 1 season where they were largely adopted by most/some of the riders. The fact that they are already trying to change the wheel size again makes me think that the whole 29 thing for DH isn't optimal.

IMO, 27.5 is a good happy medium and I wish 29 would die a quick death . It really increases cost of goods due to market size.

The riders that have recently done well on the 297.5 or whatever the hell they are calling it, would have won on any wheel size configuration...because, well.. they're really good riders who have shown their speed in the past.
MatadorCE wrote:
I'm surprised as well how a mixed wheel size wasn't welcomed with torches and axes in hand, unlike 29er DH bikes. Good to see 27.5 ain't...
I'm surprised as well how a mixed wheel size wasn't welcomed with torches and axes in hand, unlike 29er DH bikes. Good to see 27.5 ain't dead even if it's just in the back.
Bigger wheels roll over things easier. And, with new materials, the fears of them being flexy and heavy arent there that much anymore. I did not like the 26/ 29 combo because it felt off balanced but it did roll better than a 26/ 26 over things and it did seem more responsive and snappy than a 29/ 29 combo.
stiingya
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stiingya 5/8/2019 8:49pm
5/8/2019 8:49pm
derelict wrote:
Right on. I actually just listened to the podcast and the bits about their modular approach. I emailed them this morning to see if the Trail...
Right on. I actually just listened to the podcast and the bits about their modular approach. I emailed them this morning to see if the Trail Pistol can be set up this way.
Adam_Schaeffer wrote:
Technically you'd start with the Shred Dog frame and run a flush lower cup and a 29er fork set at 130-140mm.
w4s wrote:
I hit up GG about the running the Mega in 29/27.5 couple months ago and there's a couple steps and lots more $$ to get it...
I hit up GG about the running the Mega in 29/27.5 couple months ago and there's a couple steps and lots more $$ to get it set up that way. to my mind, there's very few companies that have combo bikes ready for sale, Pole does the 130 travel bike, that's about it. Seems like we may get couple more companies jump on board now. I would gladly sell my Transition Sentinel for a bike with the same geo but with a 165mm 27.5 rear.

GG posted on Instagram that they'd mix and match wheel sizes during builds for 30.00 bucks extra. Pretty sweet to get matching mixer wheels instead of something like my ghetto "random" 27.5/29er wheelset! ;0
Verbl Kint
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Verbl Kint 6/9/2019 8:09am
6/9/2019 8:09am
For Men Elite, 2/3 World Cups have been won on a mullet bike (Loic) while it's a clean sweep so far on the EWS, courtesy of Maes.

I find it a bit puzzling, however, that it's doesn't seem to be as prevalent on the side of the women. I'd like to think that a 97.5 would be a good fit for the female physique.
1
willsmooth18 6/10/2019 4:37am
6/10/2019 4:37am
sspomer wrote:
it was rad that today in leogang 1, 2 and 3 ran all the sizes and were less than a second a part. here's loic's winning...
it was rad that today in leogang 1, 2 and 3 ran all the sizes and were less than a second a part. here's loic's winning whip from today.
https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/WINNING-BIKE-Loic-Brunis-Prototype-Sp…
Just waiting for a top guy coming with a pair of 26" and finishing on the podium with a 97.5, a 29er and a 27.5. Or a 7.56 (don't know how to name it).

"Hello, 27,5, 29 and Boost are engineering-wise great (and with current wheelbases it looks better than 26"), but the main part is the talent."
sspomer
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sspomer 6/10/2019 10:11am
6/10/2019 10:11am
willsmooth18 wrote:
Just waiting for a top guy coming with a pair of 26" and finishing on the podium with a 97.5, a 29er and a 27.5. Or...
Just waiting for a top guy coming with a pair of 26" and finishing on the podium with a 97.5, a 29er and a 27.5. Or a 7.56 (don't know how to name it).

"Hello, 27,5, 29 and Boost are engineering-wise great (and with current wheelbases it looks better than 26"), but the main part is the talent."
laurie should race a 26" just to see what happens. i think he talked (or maybe joked) about it last year.
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ChOu177
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ChOu177 6/10/2019 12:25pm
6/10/2019 12:25pm
I remember not long ago, I think greeland said in an interview that he did testing with 26 and he was faster but cannot race with it because of the sponsor or the lack of tire choice maybe.
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teafeathers
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teafeathers 6/11/2019 6:21pm
6/11/2019 6:21pm
Been on this combo for 3 years. 29 front. 27.5 rear. It's the best!
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brash 6/16/2019 8:57pm
6/16/2019 8:57pm
Got bored. I'll do it properly with some 49 Lowers, but the driveway test felt nice.

I think this combo will work great on this bike, the BB is stupid low on these, a few mm higher would actually be beneficial.

Forgot to take some measurements, will do those when I get a chance but clearance to fork arch is dangerous, one rock you are dead.




sspomer
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sspomer 6/17/2019 8:06am
6/17/2019 8:06am Edited Date/Time 6/17/2019 8:07am
rad! let us know how it works. there were two (maybe more, but only saw these two) 69er/mixers at the Pro GRT this weekend too. they both had proper 49 forks though. HA on demo was 63 degrees and he was stoked. on the tr11, bb went up 10mm and HA was 62 and he didn't care to try to steepen it at all.




austen.bickford 6/17/2019 9:32am
6/17/2019 9:32am
I have been running my Foxy 29 mixed for about a month now. I dropped the fork travel from 160 to 150.
The BB dropped from 350 to 335 and the HT dropped one degree from 66 to 65.
I love the way it rides in this configuration and likely will not be switching back.


TJ_Pope
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TJ_Pope 6/20/2019 7:47pm
6/20/2019 7:47pm
I think if your in the market for a 29 or 27.5 complete bike, just get a bike with same wheel size, front and rear. I however, am building a 27.5 bike from the frame up, but love the confidence that 29 wheel in the front gives me. In this case I will go 29 in the front 27.5 rear, with a shorter travel fork to compensate.
teafeathers
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teafeathers 6/21/2019 6:48am
6/21/2019 6:48am Edited Date/Time 6/21/2019 6:50am
'Posted earlier that 've been riding this tire combo for three years now (and think it's great).
Here's a little hardtail love, and a pic of my Waltly-made Ti 'mullet,' set up for long slogs on steep, rooty Appalachian trails. .
I'm 6'2," 170lbs. Bike is 26lbs, oval 30T x 11~46, 430mm CSs, mid-400s reach, 140mm fork, 150 dropper, 29 x 2.35 front, 27.5 x 2.8 rear. 'Will be trying a 2.6 Maxxis Rekon up front, and 2.6 Ardent Race (or 2.8 Ikon) rear, when these Schwalbes (NN front, RR rear) wear out.


Mark_Vernon 6/28/2019 12:49am
6/28/2019 12:49am
Well I've been thinking about this for a long time as the mx and Enduro boys have been using similar for ever but I've not had the balls or cash to make the jump. Anyway last week I bought a new old stock Trace Advanced 27.5 which has old school 67 deg hesd angle and quite a low BB so my thoughts were this bike could be perfect for a 27/9 .I managed to buy some used but mint factory 36's and a nice Hope/dt swiss 30mm front . Ive only ridden in round the garden so far but I couldn't tell any difference with the 275 wheel but the 29 felt instantly slacker and taller, which is exactly what I wanted to achieve. Fingers crossed my new bike will be a capable trail bike, then if I fancy the gnarly stuff the 29 would be my choice 😁. Only time will tell but hopefully made the right choice.
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Verbl Kint
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Verbl Kint 8/4/2019 11:55pm
8/4/2019 11:55pm
Another one in the books for a mullet bike. It's a Mondraker Summum this time.

https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/WINNING-BIKE-Laurie-Greenlands-Mondra…

IIRC, Laurie first used it in Les Gets (podium) after the Bulldog won with it at an iXS race. It seems this setup has been working great for Laurie so far (a podium and a win).
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JVO
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JVO 8/5/2019 4:53am
8/5/2019 4:53am
Yes it seems to be working really well for more riders. I am going to try this out with the new Yeti SB165 in the next week. See how it goes!
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w4s
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w4s 8/5/2019 6:33am
8/5/2019 6:33am
JVO wrote:
Yes it seems to be working really well for more riders. I am going to try this out with the new Yeti SB165 in the next...
Yes it seems to be working really well for more riders. I am going to try this out with the new Yeti SB165 in the next week. See how it goes!
Yeah, probably good bike to do it with, are you going 160mm front 29'er?

Here's a new company out of Colorado Springs, looks like they're planning on doing an entire bike lineup, interested to see them as they're released.

https://www.mulletcycles.com/
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sspomer
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sspomer 8/5/2019 7:01am
8/5/2019 7:01am
Verbl Kint wrote:
Another one in the books for a mullet bike. It's a Mondraker Summum this time. https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/WINNING-BIKE-Laurie-Greenlands-Mondraker-Summum-29-27-5,2754 IIRC, Laurie first used it in Les Gets (podium) after...
Another one in the books for a mullet bike. It's a Mondraker Summum this time.

https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/WINNING-BIKE-Laurie-Greenlands-Mondra…

IIRC, Laurie first used it in Les Gets (podium) after the Bulldog won with it at an iXS race. It seems this setup has been working great for Laurie so far (a podium and a win).
there are more specifics, theory and discussion about the setup from laurie on his iXS pila bike check a week earlier. it's really interesting.
https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/Pro-Bike-Check-Laurie-Greenlands-Mond…

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JVO
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JVO 8/5/2019 7:04am
8/5/2019 7:04am
Going with 170 29". I am not the first trying this with this bike of course. I know of at least two others riding it this way. The one has commented that he is loving it. More info at mtbr forums - yeti 165
Teeejaaay
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Teeejaaay 8/5/2019 7:58am
8/5/2019 7:58am
Finishing my Capra build this week. It’s 27.5 bike, but I’m going 29 up front. Time to see what all the hubbub is about
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Teeejaaay
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Teeejaaay 8/5/2019 8:21pm
8/5/2019 8:21pm
Capra mullet. 27.5” frame with with a 29” wheel up
front. It’s a 170mm bike, so I ended up going with a 160mm fork. I’ve just done some parking lot jibs on it thus far. Can’t wait to hit the trails.

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Jrp
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Jrp 8/6/2019 12:27pm
8/6/2019 12:27pm


Does it look like Rae Morrison’s bike is 29er front now?
sspomer
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sspomer 8/23/2019 12:40pm
8/23/2019 12:40pm


i 69'd / mulleted / mixer'd / 279'd / 97.5'd a canyon spectral for our crankworx whistler trip just to see what it would be like. originally 27.5 front and rear with 160mm fork and bars pretty high, i put a 29er fork with 150mm travel and was able to keep bar height the same. head angle changed (IIRC it went to 64.5) and bb went up a bit, but i didn't measure that. assegai DH tire up front, DHR II exo (stock tire) out back.

i had a BLAST on it riding lifts at whistler. riding natural black trails like no joke or angry pirate or too tight, was really fun as were the natural/tech blue trails like blueseum, funshine, samurai pizza cat, karate monkey cat. the big front wheel and slacker HA was was good for holes and any roll-in kinks, but there was a playfulness out back and it could lean easily. i wouldn't get stood up in corners like a dual 29er (i also rode my norco fluid 29er (140/120 travel with DH tires) the day before on the same trails to compare. it was also really fun, but harder to change direction in tight corners). i'd listened to brendog's Outspoken the night before and swear i drank his kool-aid about the setup.

i'm not much of a jumper, i'll hit crank it up and stuff and have fun on those hits, but i'm not whipping or kicking out. On the chatter bumps of those groomers, the back end seemed less planted than my norco 29er, but it could just be the rear tire too (non-DH casing/rubber and pressure was up a bit b/c i was paranoid about flatting the EXO). i'm surprised at how fun it was on lift-served DH. i thought it would be goofy and awkward, but it wasn't in that environment. w/ that said, it wouldn't be too fun on my home trails which aren't steep or very technical...even with a lighter front tire. pedaling around was a little weird too, but i didn't try to fine tune anything (saddle position) for pedaling. if it was all i had, i'm sure i'd get used to it.
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