27.5 mountain bike explained

27.5 mountain bikes are mountain bikes which use a large volume tire that is approximately 27.5 inches in diameter, 56 mm wide (ISO 56-584 / 27.5 × 2.25) on an ISO 584 mm rim.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] 27.5 mountain bikes are also called tweeners,[6] since it "fits between" the traditional 26-inch wheels and the newer 29ers".[7]

The wheel size is sometimes erroneously called "650B"[8] [9] as a "marketing term" by some manufacturers for their 27.5", but the 650B size has traditionally been a designation for a 26 inch diameter (ISO ~ 40-584 demi-ballon tire) using the same ISO 584 mm rim[10] used by French tandems, Porteurs and touring bicycles.[3] [8] [11]

The 27.5 inch are seen as a compromise between the two existing standards of the original 26 inch (ISO 559 mm rim) and recently emerged 29 inch (ISO 622 mm rim) mountain bikes (late 2000s).

History

In 2007, 27.5 inch wheels for mountain bike use was popularized by Kirk Pacenti,[6] [12] and in 2013 at least 10 companies had launched models with 27.5 inch wheels,[3] with some parts manufacturers following suit.[1] [4]

In 2012, Nino Schurter won the World Cup event at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa,[5] and placed second in the Olympics in 2012 on 27.5 inch wheels.[2]

In 2022, author Paul Tuthill at Conquer The Bike stated that 27.5 inch wheels were "all but dead, [but] still remains on life support", with 29ers being more common for downhill and endurance riding, and 26ers being more popular for regular bike riding, mountain biking and dirt jumping.[13]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The New Mountain Bike Revolution: 27.5-Inch Wheels . Adventure Journal . Michael Frank . April 16, 2013 . 2013-05-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130520192849/http://www.adventure-journal.com/2013/04/the-new-mountain-bike-revolution-27-5-inch-wheels/ . 2013-05-20 . dead.
  2. Back to 27.5 . VeloNews . Lennard Zinn . April 24, 2013 . 2013-05-12.
  3. Web site: Reviewed: 27.5 Mountain Bikes for All Trails . Mountain Bike . Matt Phillips . 2013 . 2013-05-12 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130509125215/http://www.bicycling.com/mountainbikecom/bikes-gear/reviewed-275-mountain-bikes-all-trails . 2013-05-09.
  4. Web site: Ready or Not, Here Comes 650. Bike Magazine . Vernon Felton . 2013 . 2013-05-12.
  5. Web site: 650b mountain bike wheels: looking at the trends . Josh Patterson . Oct 9, 2012 . BikeRadar.com . 2013-04-19.
  6. Web site: Catching Up With: Kirk Pacenti. Josh Patterson. 2012-03-22. Dirt Rag. 2013-07-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20130918083119/http://www.dirtragmag.com/webrag/catching-kirk-pacenti. 2013-09-18. dead.
  7. https://www.bikelockwiki.com/what-is-a-27-5-bike/ What Is a 27.5 Bike? | 27.5 & 650b MTBs Explained
  8. Web site: Tire Sizing Systems . Sheldon Brown . Sheldon Brown (bicycle mechanic) . December 6, 2012 . 2013-04-10.
  9. Web site: The 650B Wheel Renaissance . RideYourBike.com . 2013-04-10.
  10. http://www.rideyourbike.com/650b.shtml www.rideyourbike.com
  11. https://janheine.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/the-porteurs-of-paris/ www.bicyclequarterly.com
  12. Web site: NAHBS 2013: Kirk Pacenti's eecranks . James Huang . March 4, 2013 . Cyclingnews . 2013-07-05.
  13. https://conquerthebike.com/are-27-5-wheels-dead-who-uses-them-anymore/ Are 27.5 Wheels Dead? (Who Uses Them Anymore) - Conquer The Bike