Big Wheels. WMB 101. Is this relevant to anyone????

rockhopper70

Inspired to start a forum on the relevance of Steve Worland’s article on big wheelers (WMB Issue 101). I have read it a few times and I really can not see what the article is trying to say. I don’t know Mr Worland but I get the impression that he sees himself as something of a maverick in the MTB world. Yes, he may have tested a lot of bikes in his time but he is in a privileged position in being able to pick and choose and test bikes. Regular riders make do with one bike to do it all. I have been riding mountain bikes for 24 years and have owned only four bikes in that time. They have served me wheel and had to cope with whatever sort of riding I choose to do. They have all had 26” wheels.

According to the article, are we really to be convinced that we should be looking at bikes with a 29” front wheel and 650B rear wheel? Come on….last get real here! It is suggested that this combination would suit average riders. Is a rider of average ability going to go into their LBC and ask for such a set up? If the LBS could meet the request it would be a very specialised bike indeed and I suspect would soon reveal its limitations when spares/wheels were needed.

The article uses a couple of very specialized frames to base the test on, one coming in at 20.7lb. How can that be a comparable test against a “regular” 26in wheel bike that may weigh 28lb. Of course it is going to feel fast and whippy at that weight but the wheels are heavier and according to most MTB mags, light wheels are one of the best performance upgrade for acceleration.

Finally, wheel size itself. 29er or 650B. By my reckoning, the crucial size should be based on radius as it is only the bottom half of the wheel to the dropout that raises the frame or ride height. So, on that basis, 29er offers 1.5in increase and 650B, 0.75in. Take this to the next step and consider the “attack angle” as I have defined it. That is the angle the rim/tyre hits the obstruction. By my reckoning (as a Chartered Engineer) the angle of attack varies by only a matter of degrees. Does that really make a difference in the grand scheme of things when a rock is hit? I suspect not but ride feel cannot be compared between different bikes. The only way to do this is to use a control bike and swap the wheels over, do some up hill n down dale and, finally, go to Halfords and by a spare tyre on a Sunday afternoon!!!!! Then we can compare.

For me, the article failed to address the needs of the average cyclist and offers nothing of relevance. But, just in case, I’m off to patent a new standard, the SW26ish. It’s 26.75” diameter and offers the ideal compromise.

Discuss.

Wooliferkins

Rockhopper. Look at the ETRO sizing of a 29er, it's 700. 700 and 650 wheels have been available for years. People have been riding off road for decades, long before Marin Cty brought it's highly successful products to the world. As for the practicalities of the format that's open for discussion but the hardwear is available. Fashions come and go (remember the 700/650 TT bikes from the 80s?) Rebranding 700 as 29" probably seemed a good idea somewhere. Who knows?

M6TTF

try one - you might like it

bomberesque

Wooliferkins wrote:

remember the 700/650 TT bikes from the 80s?

weren't they banned rather then become unfashionable? Maybe myy adled brain is wrong about that one though

I don't have a copy of the article but from what you say rockhopper, it sounds like Steve (who maybe in a privileged position now but worked his way into it so you shouldn't resent him for it) is trying to suggest a new standard. That this standard is very uncommon at the moment (even non-existant) doesn't mean anything. If it was already common then it wouldn't be a new standard, it would be an established one and Steve wouldn't need to write the article at all (this is starting to make my head spin)

as for 29-er, wooliferkins is right, they are 700c rims, standard on road bikes for decades. Confusingly German internet shops tend to call these 28" but there you go. 650 has been an established standard for ages, albeit much more niche than 700c

as for whether 650/700 wheels are a good idea on an MTB I don't know but the conversation is always worth having.

Finally; you're missing out if you've only had 4 bikes in 25 years. Go on treat yourself! n=b+1 afterall

26 to Life

rockhopper70 wrote:

By my reckoning (as a Chartered Engineer) the angle of attack varies by only a matter of degrees. Does that really make a difference in the grand scheme of things when a rock is hit?

Discuss.

Thanks for the instruction.

As an engineer I'm sure you're aware that while there are many designs which are 'good' for a job, there can be only one which is optimum. A degree either way moves us away from optimum, back to 'good'. Cycle design is refined enough that a matter of degrees may well be noticable. Take head tube angle for example, a degree can make a lot of difference.

I believe that writers with enough experience (as you mentioned) are capable of discerning the effect of subtle design differences, so even if the reader can't tell, they can be reasonably assured that they are on a suitable bit of kit for what they are doing, provided they understand the advice being given.

Surely this is the role of the cycle journalist - To use their unique position of experience and opportunity to inform people with less of either.

supersonic

Also posted this in the Office section, where Steve gave a fair response to the OP - some of the posters here may want to read it.

rockhopper70

I have taken up the discussion on the office forum where I acknowledged Steve's response and thanked him for it. I don't resent him one iota for the position he has acheived in his career. It must be nice to be able to ride all those bikes though! As for only having 4 bikes in 24 years.....good point..I will tell the missus!

supersonic

Have you seen the 36er?!

Wooliferkins

B J SUS! Reminds me of the bikes in that French cartoon, the name of which has just skitted from my addled mind! Is that fixed?

supersonic

Not too sure!

Full thread here:

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=269746

Or how about this lol:



"Good bottom bracket clearance"

Wooliferkins

Dynohub! Bonzer

rockhopper70

NICE ON SUPERSONIC......LOL!!!!!!!!!! Not sure who would be willing to run alongside me tho!