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The 29er debate continues, this time vs the 650B
I’ve been riding a 29er for a little more than a year now. I’ve written about the comparisons of a 29 vs 26 inch wheeled mountain bike, and I’m still committed to the 29er. And, if you look around, so are a large number of the Pro’s. Let’s face it, if pro riders have committed to the 29er, it’s for good reason. It’s not marketing, it’s winning.
Ok, so some of you might still say that a smaller wheel is quicker in the tight singletrack, and that the 650B is better than a 29er for the same reasons as a 26. Ok, I’ll agree that a 650B is better, more efficient, than a 26, but I have to say that a 29er is still going to be faster. For the same reasons that a 29er is faster, more efficient, than a 26. So now that bicycle makers are starting to go wild with the 650B wheel size, the controversy still isn’t going to go away, it is just going to shift from 29er vs 26 to a 29er vs 650B debate.
At the top of my world with my Motobecane Fantom 29
I have never been on a 650B bike, so I really have no direct knowledge of a comparison. But the science is the same. It’s not as dramatic as 29er vs 26, but the science is the same. When I have the opportunity to test ride a 650B wheeled bike, I will. Until then, I stand by my 29er.
Like this:
Mavic debuts 29er wheelsets
Mavic finally has three brand new 29er wheelsets, the first full line of 29er wheels for Mavic. The Crossmax SLR, Crossmax ST, and Crossride wheelsets all offer Mavic’s signature system-engineered approach to wheels, as well as competitive weights and a good pricing.
The debut of these wheels comes almost a year after Mavic’s original intended release date. A number of design challenges, particularly with the lightweight SLR set held off the introduction until now.
The Crossmax SLR 29 should be available in mid June, while the Crossmax ST and Crossride won’t be available until August.
Crossmax SLR – Weight: 1629 grams, Price: $1000
Crossmax ST – Weight: 1710 grams, Price: $825
Crossride – Weight: 2020 grams, Price $300
For an in depth technical review of Mavic’s new 29er wheels, check out the article from BikeRumor.com.
