Other 650B/27.5 Full Suspension Bikes Available or Coming Soon
Jamis Dakar Sixfifty B Comp and Pro ReviewPrice: $4799 (Pro) $2699 (Comp) |
Rocky Mountain Altitude MSL 650b PreviewPrice: $5399.99 (770 model) |
Turner Burner 650B Demo from InterbikePrice: TBD |
Norco Range Killer B Ride ImpressionPrice: $5485 (B-1), $3838 (B-2), $2670 (B-3) |
Mtbr also has a Banshee Bikes Rune v2 coming for testing soon, that did not arrive in time for our round-up. The Rune v2 features 160mm of travel and has a weight in the 31-32 lbs range. In addition to the Rune, Banshee is making their Spitfire model in a 650b version. The Spitfire has 140mm of travel and weighs 29-30 lbs. Both bikes feature an all new suspension design for 2013.
Other models you might consider are:
-Ellsworth Epiphany 275
Price: $2695 (frame only)
Rear Travel: 140mm
http://www.ellsworthbikes.com/bikes/mountain/epiphany-275-sst.2/
-KHS SixFifty
Price: $2149 – $3099 (4 models)
Rear Travel: 140mm
http://khsbicycles.com/category/2013-khs-models/mountain-13/full-sus-13/full-sus-650b/
-Ventana Zeus
Price: $2445 (frame only)
Rear Travel: 140/160mm adjustable
http://www.ventanausa.com/bikes/zeus/
As more 650b/27.5 full suspension mountain bikes become available, we’ll add them to this list here so stay tuned!
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