THE Ultimate All Mountain Bike Platform?
Update: March 25
We are getting to update this with a whole slew of tires, wheels and forks for 2013. Also, we are proposing to rename the 2013 Sea Otter Classic to The 650b Sea Otter Classic. The amount of 650b/27.5 product introductions there will be staggering.
Jan. 17, 2013
650b/27.5 is the hottest category in mountain biking today. If you haven’t caught the buzz yet, 650b refers to a new size of wheel that falls between (but not exactly in the middle) of the traditional 26er wheel and a 29er wheel. Its purpose is to take what is good about the 26er wheel and what is good about the 29er wheel and combine them to strike a balance that is superior to either end of the spectrum. There are several advantages but chief among them is the promise of better bump rolling ability and traction than a 26er but more nimble than a 29er. For a more in-depth explanation of 650b and its history, check out the video and 650b info article we posted a last summer.
The popularity and acceptance of the 650b wheel for mountain bikes has taken off in recent months, with the development and availability of quality 650b specific forks from big manufacturers like Fox and Rock Shox. Add on to that the increased number of tires now made in 650b specific sizes and 650b (also referred to as 27.5 by certain brands) and 650b will thrive with many tangible, real-world benefits in the All Mountain bikes category, with 140mm to 160mm (5.5 to 6.3 inches) of rear travel.
There are at least a dozen companies making full suspension All Mountain 650b bikes for 2013 (and even more making 650b hardtails, but that’s another round up) and we have highlighted five of the latest and greatest here including: Norco Sight Killer B, Intense Tracer 275 and Carbine 275, Foes F275 and the Scott Genius 720.
Check out this video of Francis explaining 650b and how it works for the All Mountain category of mountain bikes.
Video: Part 1 Introduction to 650b/27.5
Video: Part 2 – The best bikes in each category.
More specs, photos, videos and info »
We have a spec chart showing side-by-side comparisons of these bikes including actual weights. We also measured BB height, wheelbase length, seat tube angle and head tube angle. One common concern readers expressed during our initial bike previews was the weight of these bikes. But one needs to remember that these are longer travel bikes and that this is the tip of the 650b iceberg and we expect weights to drop as more bikes and components come out optimized with different materials. It is also important to note that all the bikes in our round up rode lighter than their given weight. Regardless of climbing or descending, these bikes stealthily hid their weight and were able climbers. Also helping hide the weight was the efficiency of the platform suspension on of these bikes.
Being cutting edge doesn’t come cheap. All the bikes we tested were size medium and range from $4500 to $5500 including two carbon bikes (Intense Carbine, Scott Genius) and three aluminum ones (Norco, Foes, Intense Tracer). For the record, the Scott Genius 27.5 is also available with an aluminum frame (and even a women’s specific version). Norco is the only one who makes FIVE different sizes including an Extra Small (both Norco and Scott make an XL). The geometry numbers shown for the Scott are with the adjustable BB in the low setting.
All of these bikes featured All Mountain components and features like a dropper post (except the Scott Genius), wide 750mm handlebars, direct mount front derailleurs, tapered head tube and thru-axles front and rear. These bikes were made to handle plenty of jumps, drops and hucks but still get you to the top under your own power. All Mountain full suspension mountain bikes are where 650b will gain the majority of its market dominance.
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26-27-29-mtb-tires
The Tioga Psycho K 26er, the Pacenti Mega Moto 650b and the Panaracer Driver Pro 29er. Note that the 650b tire looks halfway in size since the Pacenti Mega Moto 2.4 is so big.
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Next Page: Conclusion and Bike Reviews »
Not to mention the Jamis 650b one of the og full susser 650b bikes. I test rode one and it felt pretty close to the 29r rolling over obstacles and turning.
Been riding my Jamis 650B for about a year, and couldn’t be happier. Could definitely tell a difference in it and my old Gary Fisher Sugar.
We had a 2012 Jamis for review and we covered that bike here: http://reviews.mtbr.com/jamis-dakar-sixfifty-b-comp-bike-test
The 2013 Jamis was not quite ready.
Francis also has been riding a Santa Cruz Blur TRc 650b converted.
We also have a Banshee 650b bike coming in soon. In the end, it was just not possible to get all the bikes in at the same time.
Other currently available 650b bikes include:
-Rocky Mountain Altitude
-Norco Range Killer B
-Ventana Zeus
Other 650b bikes on the horizon are:
-Turner Burner 650b (which Francis and I have both demo’ed, but is currently being reworked)
-Ellsworth Epiphany 275
dont forget to add Liteville 301 650b builds up almost as light as the Carbine 275. Bit slacker, bit bigger, more stable, less nimble, great for attacking serious terrain and fantastic at bigger speeds. Beast.
The seat angle of the Sight is way off from what Norco claims. Why is that?
>>The seat angle of the Sight is way off from what Norco claims. Why is that?
We messed up the measurements by using a 160mm upgraded fork instead of the stock 140mm. The bike is perfectly happy either way but we will fix the measurements.
No Ventana Zeus?
i read this somewhere, and i completely agree with it: “It’s here I take issue with 27.5-inch wheels. The traditional logic states that they roll-over things better than a 26-inch bike, but handle more nimbly than a 29-inch bike. However, if you flip that logic on its head, they don’t roll-through as well as a 29er and don’t handle as well as a 26-inch wheeled bike. For me, at least, 26-inch bikes are the most fun to play with and, at the end of the day, that’s what mountain biking is supposed to be about.”
Dan,
Could not agree more. I just finished testing a 26″, 27.5 and 29″ on the same day, back to back to back and the 26″ is still the best bike for my money. That being said, more people would be safer on a 29″ because their technical skills aren’t there. The 27.5″ is a compromise on all fronts…
Had 650bs on my heckler/f36 floats and didnt think it felt as good. Went back to 26. But on my blur ltc theyre killer! The frame and fork (2012 talas) are 26 stock.
Sad you didn’t side by side all the 5 inch + bikes. Important omissions
Rocky Mountain Altitude, Norco Range Killer B, Ventana Zeus, Jamis 650B, KHS 656
For all those I don’t think the 27.5 650b doubters (haters) out there. They work , they’re in your local shop, try them & decide for yourself. Disclosure, I have ridden my Jamis 650b for over a year and I couldn’t be happier. Best bike for my 5’9″ Height I have ever ridden. Either myself and others are all crazy or 650b works great for my local conditions (Northern Coastal CA) and my body type, riding style (all mountain/x-country). Yes I rode 26 inches for years, tested 29ers numerous times, and settled on 650b as the perfect do it all ride for me. They used to call 29er geeks kooks 6 years ago. The 29er is now a major force. The sport changes despite our fear of the new.
This statement doesn’t seem true, “There are at least a dozen companies making full suspension All Mountain 650b bikes for 2013 (and even more making 650b hardtails…”
Where are they all? Jamis, Saracen, KHS, Kona, Sirius, Carver, Pipe Dream…that’s far less than a dozen and I’m reaching with some of these brands being on the boutique/custom end of the scale. Let’s see some All Mountain Hardtails in 650b format!
nice bikes! need help on where i can buy a Norco Killer B (bike set) on line…living here in Qatar and have an Aramex mail box in New York…please help me out guys…tnx!
I was thinking about getting a full susp. 29er after everyone is telling me they loved their 29er. I guess I have to wait to hear these people to tell me how much they will love their 650B. For the time being, I loved my 26er!! Let’s ride!
Estoy convencido de las bondades de la 27.5 necesito comprar una les pido me den informacion de los valores talla M y como hacer para efectuar la compra
que costo tiene la SCOTT GENIUS 720 y la NORCO SIGHT KILLER B talla M tanto en aluminio como en carbono y como comprarla. Mil gracias. Pronto porque estoy que me monto en una de ellas. Mil gracias
I am a surfer and I have been biking for 2 years MTB
When I started surfing my surfboard was 1 Fin, then 2 fins appear , and people thought, nice maybe they are better, then 3 fins, and everybody thought , jajaja, this is too much..
Now the standard is 3 fins, and there ares some amazing 4 fin boards, my point, is, people dont accept change easily, but it can be for the good of course, 26 , 29, 27, are very nice alternatives for MTB riders with diferent styles
Cmon be fair. Its a multi company money boost. All bikes are better today than ten year ago. Sales fall down to durability and tecnology making them last a lot longer. Its a market that always need new ideas to get you to chop the bike you were happy with for the latest one to keep em running. Yep i totally agree with the concept but not all courses and trails etc are the same worldwide so if you’re used to your local trail on the bike you got then why go out early and spend the extra wonga. Wait for everyone else at competition level to use em for a year or so and get some real feedback (although will be sponsored by the company’s) enjoy what you got cus you never had it better. Keep riding people