650 b or 4x

paul_stelling

I am currently riding a 29er and am finding it to be too on the tight trails. I am thinking of selling it and getting a 650b or 4x bike. I know very little about 4x bikes and would like to find out more information about them can anyone recommend any good websites or bike shops that specialises in them. I like the idea of having large range of gears on the rear and one chain ring this seems to be the way things are going these days. I have spotted a charge cooker that I like the look of are they any good? Many thanks.

The Rookie

4x is a specific riding discipline, depending on what sort of riding you do they may or may not work for you, but it sounds like you are doing XC/trail riding in which case a 4x bike is totally unsuitable.

fat daddy

Yeah I echo the above 4x is awesom if your trail is 1min long and all downhill ...

rockmonkeysc

You don't want a 4X bike unless you're doing 4X or dirt jumping.
They're really not designed to cover any distance. You won't get the saddle high enough for pedalling.
29ers take a good rider to get the best out of them on tight trails. Try some skills coaching to improve your cornering technique.

paul_stelling

Thanks for the feed back guys that really helps I can now cross 4x of my list. I think I will continue with what I have rock hopper pro evo 29er for now and maybe go for a 650 b in the future if still struggling.Skills coaching sounds interesting where dose this take place?

The Rookie

Search locally to you, most the main UK trail centres have at least one company offering courses there, in some cases two or three.

Once you have found out who is local to you, post back for some comments on those options.

rockmonkeysc

My mate used to have a Ford Escort 1.1L with RS Turbo badges. Same sort of thing but not quite in the same league.
He rolled it in to an old woman's garden and destroyed her water feature.

paul_stelling

I am sorry but don't understand where you are coming from.

rockmonkeysc

Sorry, seem to have accidentally posted to the wrong thread there!

cooldad

Drunk again?
Excellent work, keep it up.

paul_stelling

No worries thanks for letting me know. Lol

The Rookie

You see, when you don't know you are drunk, that is when you know you've crossed that line.......

paul_stelling

Lol. I have been doing some research and have seen some people are fitting 650b wheels to 29er bikes. Is this a good idea will it make the bike more nimble in the turns or will it just comprise the 29er s geometry and lead to bashing pedals on bends. Cheers.

The Rookie

Well they will certainly fit and work, the BB will be about 1.5" lower though which is quite a lot!

rockmonkeysc

You'll be bashing your cranks a lot.

LimitedGarry

It's not really all that uncommon for people with 29er frames to have a 27,5 wheelset with plus tires. Well... tbh it is pretty uncommon, but it's a well discussed topic. It doesn't affect the geometry all that much, but enough for you to notice.

The real issue is clearance for the wider tires.
Regular 27,5" wheels will put your bottom bracket way lower than I'd be comfortable with.

paul_stelling

Thanks guys sounds like changing the wheels is not really the answer is will stick with what the bike is designed to have and just go ride it and have fun. I think I will have a go on a 650 b and compare . I might hire one next time I go trail center and test on the same run as my own bike and see which I prefer. Cheers.

Briggo

What is the bike? I got a 29 and 650b and there isn't a huge amount of difference in terms of "nimbleness" when cornering.