Conclusion and Bike Reviews
After riding each of these bikes for several weeks, we are here to tell you that 650b is not hype and is here to stay. And for the All Mountain rider, the 5.5″ to 6″ travel range is where 650b shows true advantages. Unhindered by the space constraints in frame design and drivetrain layout that 29ers face, the 650b platform allows bike manufacturers to use tried and true suspension designs without having to start from the ground up. 650b fills the gap left open by 29ers in the “longer travel” arena. And the future is open for 650b in the DH world as well (as shown by KHS DH racer and freerider Logan Binggeli who placed third in the recent Red Bull Rampage event.)
Because 650b is closer to a 26″ wheeled bike than a 29er, these bike rode a lot like 26ers so it’s very easy to feel comfortable with them. Most of them have very similar suspension components (Fox 34 fork, Fox Float CTD rear shock) so they have a familiar ride quality to them and yet each one had it’s own bright spots and strong points.
The Intense Carbine 275 and the Tracer 275 were the best climbers. The VPP suspension provides very efficient power transfer even when the suspension is full open. The Scott Genius uses technology in the form of their Twin-loc lever to make the most of its climbing ability. The adjustability of the Scott (adjustable BB height, TALAS fork) expands its uses and fun. The Scott remote lockout works so well that it allowed us to set the bike up plush and then hit the lever to either provide pedaling platform or full lock out the front and rear suspension.
True to its DH oriented roots, the Foes F275 is the beefiest, plushest descender. Its suspension is confidence-inspiring and if your definition of All Mountain is going big, take a close look at the Foes. The bike is the slackest and lowest to the ground so it felt very comfortable when pointed at drops and rocks. The rear suspension too was very laterally stiff throughout its seemingly bottomless action.
The Norco Sight Killer B with its A.R.T take on the FSR suspension creates a ride that makes it the best all-arounder. The Sight was low to the ground and had the shortest chainstays. It is a true demonstration of what the 650b platform is capable of as it had 26er lines but the biggest tires with the Schwalbe Hans Dampfs. The Norco is the most versatile bike and its geometry makes it a snappy and agile handler.
Predictions for the future of 650b? More, much more 650b bikes will be coming from major manufacturers who have had their ear to the ground and have been doing plenty of their own secret testing and research on this exciting new type of mountain bike. By the time the Sea Otter Classic rolls around, we expect many of the big bike brands to have their 650b All Mountain bikes ready (at least in prototype form). For more in-depth analysis, photos, specs and info about each bike click an image below.
Norco Sight Killer B ReviewPrice: $4985
“The Norco Sight Killer B with it’s A.R.T take on the FSR suspension creates a ride that makes it the best all-arounder. The Norco is the most versatile bike and it’s geometry makes it a snappy and agile handler.” read more »
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Intense Carbine 275 ReviewPrice: $5549
“The Intense Carbine 275 was the best climber. The VPP suspension provides very efficient power transfer even when the suspension is full open. It is a carbon frame that feels very similar to the ride of the Tracer 275.” read more »
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Foes F275 ReviewPrice: $4650
“True to it’s DH oriented roots, the Foes F275 is the beefiest, plushest descender. It’s suspension is confidence inspiring and if your definition of All Mountain is going big, take a close look at the Foes.” read more »
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Scott Genius 720 ReviewPrice: $4499.99
“The Scott Genius uses technology in the form of their Twin-loc lever to make the most of its climbing ability. The adjustability of the Scott (adjustable BB height, TALAS fork) expands it’s uses and fun.” read more »
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Intense Tracer 275 ReviewPrice: $5049
“Also an efficient climber, the Tracer 275 provides a similar ride to the Carbine with a few subtle differences. It is a bit longer and lower than the Carbine, making it’s DH side a bit stronger.” read more »
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Next Page: Other 650B/27.5 Full Suspension Bikes Available or Coming Soon »
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