krazygluon

Its been a long time (years) since I posted to BF.

I've been riding road bikes since about 2006 (Trek Pilot 1.2) granted I'd call it very casual riding and the last 4 years haven't seen a lot of miles due to work (I basically go to work in the dark and come home in the dark a lot)

Now that I live in Maine and my wife just got a Specialized Myka w/disc brakes, I find myself in the market for a mountain bike.

I understand the relative quality differences of component levels. I definitely want a hardtail bike. While I understand that the ~500 price range disc brakes aren't as superior to V brakes as the manufacturers might suggest.

I'm pretty settled on getting something similar to the wife's bike since we'll be riding together (Live in maine, so carriage trails, other decently hard packed trails, nothing too aggressive)

What I currently have trouble wrapping my mind around is this whole 650b vs 29er thing, specifically what several manufacturers are doing with "smart wheel sizing" (i.e. if I want a marlin that "fits" my 6' self, I HAVE to get it with 29ers)

Coming from a relatively uninformed perspective, am I the only one seeing this as a thing that benefits the manufacturers more than the consumers? Seems like its more about Trek et al not having to make as many things but giving us less choice.

I'm fairly sure I want 650b's. Keeping the weight down and the relative strength of materials up appeals to me more than the benefits I've read about 29ers having over 650b's.

But in all fairness, is Trek really right? For the price point I'm looking at, am I really better off on a 29er given my height?

So my question to the forums is, for a 6' light use rider looking for around $5-600 worth of a hardtail bike, should I

A) find a 650b bike from a mfg that doesn't do this "smart wheel sizing" thing that is built for my size?
B) Trust the wisdom of the OEM's and if I'm going to get their bike, accept the 29er?

(Note, I do plan on test-riding bikes in both wheel sizes, but am predisposed to 650b from my research)

baldilocks

I'm actually considering a Trek Marlin. I believe the whole smart wheel size is to deal with standover height and toe strike issues. I'm on the other side of the argument, where I'm only 5'9 with a 30 in inseam. The thing with me is, bigger wheels roll over things easier. Learned that as a inline skater. I also believe the bigger tires will roll faster. If your not riding aggressive trails and your worried about weight, have you considered the trek DS. I would like one of those, but I occasionally ride a very technical trail and struggle with skinny tire size. Hope you find exactly what you want at a discounted price. If you buy something, please post pictures.

gsa103

At your height, for a hardtail, you definitely want a 29er. The added inertia also helps you hold speed better on flatter trails. The larger wheels will help smooth the trail and are better for cruising along.

The main reason for 650b on smaller hardtails is that it's hard to fit a 29er wheel in a small frame with reasonable stand-over and steering angles.

650b is common for full suspension because it's nearly impossible to fit 150+mm of rear travel with a larger 29er wheel.

Canker

The whole for your height you need this size wheel thing is BS. Wheel size doesn't make as much difference as people like to make out. I don't feel any real difference in roll over, momentum, or the big selling point of 650b maneuverability from the wheels size when I'm actually riding the things. Geometry matters more than wheel size. I have a full squish 29er, rigid 29er, and a hardtail 650b. If you want a 650b get a 650b.

osco53

I'm 5'11", 32" Inseam, 170 pounds wet, I ride a full squish 27.5 Large Frame,, why?
I wanted the agility, flick~a~bility and Snappy acceleration of the smaller Stronger, Stiffer(shorter spokes) wheel size.
No, I needed It because my trails have lots of short punchy climbs.

I would not want a 27.5 Hard Tail under any of my trail conditions. IF I wanted a Hard Tail It would be a 29er,,,
I'd choose a lighter bike with better components and above all else I'd have a decent set of light, strong wheels.

Modern 29er Geo has gotten so much better In the, 'Agility, flick~a~bility and Snappy acceleration' department btw.

A good wheel set Is a big deal especially on a 29er as Is Tubeless tech

"carriage trails, other decently hard packed trails, nothing too aggressive" screams for a light 29er with a nice tubeless wheel upgrade.

IMHO any 27.5 would hold you back In those conditions.....