Buying a 26"

asafcharnilas

This might be part of a never-ending debate...
but since the year end deals are giving great prices on 2013 bikes, I was wondering if buying a 26" is a bad idea now that most manufacturers have moved to an all 27.5" lineup for 2014?

There's a great deal on 2013 Lapierre zesty at my LBS, and I have my eye on the full carbon 514 (at 25% off the original price). But now I'm thinking it may be better to wait for the 2014, and maybe pay full price for the less equipped model, the new 327 AM (alluminium), but with 27.5" wheels... (Thinking carbon is a better "upgrade" than 27.5 wheels...?)

What do you think? will I find myself "stuck" with the 26" in a few years? (i.e. trouble finding replacement parts, impossible to sell, and feeling outdated on the trail?)
And any comments on the zesty models would be appreciated...

Twelly

Dont do it! I heard 26" wheels cause cancer. And that when aliens take over the world they will let only 650b riders live with their anus unprobed. Thats what my magazine said anyway..

pandazoo

Ride both. Go for which one rides the best. It's as simple as that

kajjal

My first 26" MTB is still fine almost 20 years later with only one new set of wheels and the normal drive chain and tyre replacements. I now ride a 29er as I prefer it but the older bike is still very good. My wife recent bought a 26" MTB in the 2013 sales with a big price reduction and loves it.

The best advice is to ride both bikes and see which you prefer as above. Which wheel sizes will be around in a few years time is anyone's guess.

rockmonkeysc

Don't do it. 26" wheels will stop working next year.
One minute you will be riding along, the next they just wont turn.

passout

On a serious note:

Relax. They'll be 265ers for decades - they are not just the preserve of MTBs for one thing. Parts may be a little harder to come by or expensive in 5 yrs+ time (we'll see) but they'll still be avilable and we are only talking tyres & rims right? I think the market is constantly differentiating itself for obvious financial reasons - they'll be many strands of MTB is all; including 26ers. They said hardtails would die out at one stage. In 10 yrs I bet there are as many 26ers as 29ers! Lets face it 26ers are more fun to ride.

Anyway I bought one a few months back. My preferred wheel size.

Uli

Really? So there is more than subliminal level difference betwen 26 and 27.5 rides.
I got myself good deal on 26. As for parts if there is a demand there is always someone to provide required goods.

shindig

I'd get the 650b as all the 26ers in the world are no longer compatible with the trails now that 650b bikes are available .... Or so the marketing machine would have us believe.

I've bought two 26ers in the past 12 months at really good prices.

rockmonkeysc

Some of the smaller manufacturers are making the most of the limited supply of 26" bikes and continuing to make them.
I have just bought a new 26" frame because of the 30% discount.

passout

Uli wrote:

Really? So there is more than subliminal level difference betwen 26 and 27.5 rides.
I got myself good deal on 26. As for parts if there is a demand there is always someone to provide required goods.

I was referring to the 26er vs 29er - obviously 27.5 is in the middle ground (hence the appeal I suppose).

I got about 45% off a Whyte 26er from Winstanleys - its awesome.

kajjal

There are some very good deals on very good 26er's at the moment. I would be more concerned about the middle size of wheels not catching on and disappearing.