27.5" Vs. 27.5" Plus Bikes - Which Is Faster?

[@prettyjohnshill76]

I'm buying a scott genius 720 plus bike. what sealed the deal for me is that you can fit 29ers onto it if you want. 2 bikes in 1, what's not to like.

[@mitchmoe6224]

I've been crushing trails on my 26" Santa Cruz Chameleon for years, occasionally I'd test ride FS bikes but holding my cash tight until I found something truly inspiring. Well that just happened two weeks ago, I got on a pivot switchblade 27.5+ bike. Two days later I bought it and have been on the trail every other day since. The 27.5+ was unbelievable especially aboard the new pivot switchblade. Climbs that were Laden with rocks and roots I'd just make it up before, now I blaze up them with enough speed to catch some air at the top. Granted this has to do with the full suspension and taller tire, but it is even more pronounced with the added traction of the plus size tire. Before raking the industry for introducing yet another "gimmick" give the plus size a ride, you'll be full impressed like I was.....I'm sure if it

[@alabaster4263]

Lol

[@giantxstompyxrobots663]

love my 27.5+... sooo fun and smooth.

[@Operation3Sixty]

How do they feel in tight technical sections?

[@batterybuilding]

Sivy's Misadventures Fantastic. I have a fullly rigid single speed with 2.8” tires and a geared full suspension with 2.6”. My local trails have tons of technical rock gardens. Both bikes make me smile when I ride them every time. I’ve ridden 26” and 29” over the years but have settled on 27.5” plus as my tire of choice

[@rjsvids]

@@batterybuilding you have a hardtail? i was keen to buy a 27.5 hardtail for trails or a Fs but the Fs are expensives

[@Dima-dc5mf]

@@rjsvids riding 27.5+ now. For trail hardtail it's must have. Plush is insane. Previously i was riding a 29 but now I'm 27.5+ boi)))

[@jamesgarvey8402]

Personally, but I don't care about which one is faster, but which one is more enjoyable to ride.

[@jamesgarvey8402]

+Ikreisrond Bills left in my pocket? With this hobby!!? LOL Sorry kids! You're gonna need a full scholarship, daddy's got a new bike!... again.

[@emilnilsson6784]

James Garvey personally if u go full suspension then pick 27.5 but for hard tail definitely 27.5 plus

[@dary6450]

27.x2.8 the bike just rolls and manuals

[@WildOutdoorLiving]

1 second is essentially negligble. I would actually be pretty impressed if you could ride the same trail twice on the same bike and get the exact same time.

[@Shindinru]

I would like to know if they ran them at the same PSI as that has a significant impact on rolling resistance.

[@frogsandbirdsvideos4087]

Wild Outdoor Living

[@johnlucinsky992]

He just did.............

[@skulleader]

By the past I've used 26", after that 27.5" and now 27.5 PLUS / 2.8 and for me the "27.5 PLUS / 28" is really better. Better because we can have a low pressure, more grip and more soft when you ride on the rocks, I live in south of France and "27.5 Plus / 2.8" is perfect for my county. It's not a comercial reason but just one evolution to the future...

[@D0WNT0WN]

Damn, I was pulling for the 27.5 to win. But the times really tell you that you should just ride whatever you're comfortable with. Very helpful video. Thanks Global Mountain Bike Network! -Alex

[@cyclingnut2122]

Just bought a Cannondale Cujo3 with 27.5+ wheels, wow wat a difference absolutely love them, great for climbing

[@ww-weekendwarriors1237]

Geat and usefull contents on GMBN! But sometimes it will be good to see just raw footage of you two blasting down the trail !

[@RossWalline]

I really enjoy my 29er bike, so the fact that the diameter of a 27.5 plus is approximately the same as a 29er while increasing the width of the tire significantly, though not to fat bike extremes; is very appealing. I am waiting to see if they catch on; if so, I'll be getting a 27.5 + bike within a few years.

[@arthurpieters2916]

still rocking them 26"

[@jeffk464]

Arthur MacNerd they have to entice people into buying new bikes.

[@jaykae3952]

+Jeff K 26" is waaaaay to small for me (I'm 73 inches)

[@TheGuyWho3415]

+Jay Kae I'm 72 inches and 26 is perfect.

[@karlfonner7589]

+Moon Pie I'm not a little rich boy . I bought a USED Giant XTC 26er and I think I'm having as much fun as little lord Fontleroy!

[@tiaanpretorius4996]

Karl Fonner do know how to save ?

[@piotrlobacz]

More videos like this please. Maybe some bike geometry tips videos too.

[@TylerGibsonFishing]

I'm all for the 27.5+. If you want to run 27.5 you can if you want to run 29 you can if you want to run 27.5+ you can. Seems like a win win to me.

[@andreaspucher9229]

I got a plus hardtail for a steal with 3inch tires and a good trail geometry. My new Enduro stays at home since I bought this bike. The plus bike is a blast to ride - You can shred it like a boss. It is simpler, more direct and has the best Price/value/fun ratio you can have on a mountain bike!!

[@amw4736]

I have ridden a 27.5 2.3" tire for a couple years. I also rode a true fat bike with 3.8" tires for quite some time. I can honestly say that my current bike with boost front and rear and 2.8" tires is the best bike I've ever ridden. It is a hard tail and as such the playfulness, and the cushion and suppleness of the plus tires including the added grip make it SOOO FUN to ride. I can push the plus tires to the limit and they just stick..corner like they are on rails and the slight squish makes the ride that much more compliant. I run 13psi up front and 14 psi in the rear I weigh 158lbs. PERFECT! I think 2.6 would be another great option. I wanted the 2.8 for the added low-pressure ability and I went with Schwalbe 2.8 nobby nics with the addix compound. Super light!

[@SpicyCurryProd]

Cool comparison. I went from a Klein Rascal ('93) to a Specialized FSR 6Fattie (27.5+) and LOVE it all! Hard to say it's only the bigger tires because I'm new to disc brakes, dropper post, and full suspension. But I do notice rolling over ruts and things more CONFIDENTLY with the + tires, and that alone is a big + for me and my style of cruising type of riding--my racing days are over so I'm not as concerned about how fast uphill than I am with confidence and comfort on the downhill runs. Never going back to "skinny" 2.0 tires! ;-)

[@anderssonnordic2400]

I'd love to see anything with the Cannondale Bad Habit (27.5+) Great video! Have a nice day! 😉

[@yukonpeteneff]

I'm surprised at these results. Another comparison would be appropriate I think on a track with a more varied terrain and then do segment timings to see where each tire size falls short and where they excel.

[@firemanhey]

Thanks for the video. I'm in the market for a new cross country bike and Scott Scale with the 27.5" wheels is a real contender.

[@filomaster8980]

plus tires are awesome on trail bikes i rided steel plus bike and i have to say it was pure pleasure the most fun bike ive ever tried cuz it made me feel like a kid whos just learning, its so forgiving

[@nonwhingingpom]

How about a longer comparison (maybe a trail ride with climbing & descending) between the Genius 700, the Genius 700+ and the Genius 900?

[@lopon12]

27.5 plus was sooooooo last week this week its 28.2 plus got stacks more grip and less rolling resistance! lol

[@Wasophangen]

lopon12 30 inch is 2019

[@allymash1964]

Thank you for the review.

[@eldwurm1657]

and i still use 26 on my bike

[@nl3712]

nice review. having ridden a spez 6fattie stumpy, I agree with your findings. fun AND fast.

[@JU-lj8hl]

I think you got -1 sec on the the + size because you felt you had more contact with the ground which made you brake less and also the inertia of the rolling wheel made you go a tad faster.

[@tubularmonkeymaniac]

Anyone else notice the lateral movement on that rear wheel in the intro...is that normal?

[@pheoix]

Great video. Would be nice to see more testing.

[@shadyss96]

I ride a 6fattie fuze and a 26" carbon HT. I'd have to agree with Neil on the plus size tire gives you the gains for climbs and longer big sweeps, but is slower around the aggressive stuff. I am struck if it is the future or not, it def. has a few years of refining to do regardless.

[@RichJ-nr1ho]

One thing I'm surprised more people don't do is mix voluminous and plus tires, for example 2.8 front and 2.4 rear. That can work very well, because the 2.8 provides traction and stability up front, and the 2.4 provides more acceleration in back. If the handling is weird because the front is taller than in the rear, you can always go down one size in the front, as in 27.5+ front and 29x2.4 rear, or 26+ front and 27.5x2.4 rear. The latter can work very, very well on everything but very steep descents and trails with large obstacles. The 26x2.8 measures between 26.7 (DHRII) and 27.2 inches high (WTB Ranger, DHF), which provides just enough rollover on the smaller obstacles, handles very good for a plus tire, and then the 27.5x2.4 rear provides stability and keeps the bottom bracket at an OK height. The only issue with 26+ is that it can really slow down on obstacles that are more than 3-4 inches high. That's why tomorrow I'm going to do 27.5x2.6 front (28.1 inches high) because one of the three downhill trails has a couple of embedded rock formations and the 26+ can't handle them well. Otherwise, on most trails, 26+ is great.

[@fatyowls]

You definitely adapt to a 27.5+, I ride an hardtail and it does almost everything my full sus will. The trails where it tight and there's a stop start I haven't found it a problem at all..

[@endurotruckererniedesjardins]

wow... top 10 mtb innovations add with the old rockshox poster..... I had that poster on my wall as a kid....

[@sethnicholls7861]

Depending on the trail, either could be fastest. I personally think a midsize plus (2.6) version of the 27.5 maybe the best of both worlds.

[@jonmiddlemiss784]

It would be neat to have you guys review a plus bike that is 3.0 wide with 29" wheels. My suggestion is a Trek Stache.

[@ZOB4]

Would you consider the 2.6" width be considered a "plus" tire? That is the widest my bike will take, right now it has 2.4" Maxxis High Rollers and those seem super grippy, and slow as hell on my current trails which are covered with leaves most of the time.

[@keeler1160]

If you were really wanting to decide between the two it probably helps to look at the trails around your neighborhood. If they are rocky and technical the plus bike is probably a better bet. If it's hilly and flowy or smooth then the regular size will do.

[@pllewis72]

So Neil, if you were to buy a new Scott Genius today, would it be the 27.5+ or would you stick with the 27.5 skinny? I think it'd be interesting also if you took the 27.5+ down some more narly trails and see if you can get the performance out of it as the 27.5.

[@charleskelvin528]

I prefer ma 26, its way to fit especially on trails, easy to bunny hop with too💥✔👍

[@SurferKroky]

I think the + tyres would be great on a hardcore hardtail , especially if you were racing Enduro. Smooth out some of the chatter on the back end

[@Skracken]

Just one run on each bike or did you make multiple? You should really make a bunch of runs on each bike and take the average time or even the best time to get a more accurate result. Still, I would consider 1 second well within the margin of error, and it's not unlikely to get that difference or more between 2 runs on the same bike. Certainly for me anyway! Also, not being as used to the 27.5+ as you are to the 27.5 will probably effect the times negatively for the plus model. Love your videos, keep up the good work! :)

[@milespearce2030]

If 26+ ever takes off again I would like to see 26+ vs 27.5 and 27+ vs 29 because they are more equal wheel sizes

[@s2korpionic]

Well, they kinda do, it's called a fat bike.

[@FatBikeFreak]

More important..... which is more fun...

[@Ambler0]

Slid out on a sandy desert corner on my old 26x2.3", broke my rib, wrist and finger. Bought a Trek 27.5x3.8" plus, will never go back to thin tires. Its faster and more fun because it has much better loose-dirt traction (both for cornering and uphill) and you don't have to waste much effort picking a smooth line, just barrel on over obstacles. I can tell you, the plus has been much cheaper on medical bills, so far.

[@SpiderwebRob]

I recently got a light weight 29 hardtail xc bike. When i eventually go full sus i will probably go with 27.5+. It will be harder work on a 6hr enduro but the comfort and extra grip should net a faster time.

[@mitchmoe6224]

Smart comment, I just did that and I couldn't be happier

[@fredrik999z]

What tyres are you riding at your bike? You can have 27.5x2.4 or even 27.5x2.5 as rear tyre and a 27.5x2.35 in front to get good grip and also decent rolling resistance with quick handling. I think one main reason to push 27.5x2.8 into market is the fact that it fits well in a 29er frame so the developers doesn't have to make separate frames for 27.5 and 29 on some trail-models anymore.

[@soapywatsonjw]

do you think they'll 650b+ ?

[@soapywatsonjw]

It was a joke *****​

[@CurvedSlightly]

+James Watson Just think of all the styles, 29"+ 26"+ fat-(minus) with normal 2.35" tyres, 1.9"+ tyres which are 2.35"

[@soapywatsonjw]

ah don't you just love wasting money on a bike with a different wheel size

[@tigerbalm666]

I don't get it...

[@KDBowler]

Yes... Yes I do. And I'm about to do it again. Crap!!

[@speakerfreak0246]

I’m running a plus 2.8 back wheel / tire and a normal front wheel / tire. I’ve chosen this because I’m rocking a herd tail.

[@leedove7255]

How about the same test over more technical steeper terrain ?

[@markspoor4663]

I recently went from a older 26 to a new 275+ and I suspect the 275 + feels slower because of the lack of drama. You are just more insulated from the trail so it takes more speed to feel faster on it.

[@kylebatson5971]

Yup exactly

[@markrace8095]

Depend s on how you can ride still sticking with 26inch blur 4x the bike that still brings a smile is the one (my old scott 20 nitrous did the same back in the day dropped z1 for climbing and coil shock love to see a video with new against old ?

[@joegatrill6634]

Its quite funny when you remember the 3inch DH tyres in the late 90's, they soon died a death as did 24inch wheels with a deeper carcass. I wonder If Its all just to get us changing parts every few years. unless your racing and need to find tenths of a second, just try and enjoy what you've got. my mate had the most hilarious old bike made up of all our cast off parts and he was always smiling and could ride as quick as anyone, I think there's a lesson in there somewhere... ;-)

[@erickuhn1042]

joe Gatrill I couldn't agree more! Nothing matters (component wise) unless you're racing... otherwise you're out there to have fun!

[@1Life_Live_it]

I dont own a 27+(650b+) but i do own a full fat & a regular 26. My fat does everything i can do on my 26 HT. Trail centres i keep up with my mates on their full bouncies, im thinking the 27+ (650b+) will smash the trail centres and go almost as much off road as the full fat. Im very interested in this option. People moaning , well hey its the curse of the the troll factor!!! Good work chaps

[@another5961]

27.5+ shines on rocky loose narly trails

[@1tomdlee]

Great video!!

[@santibgbg]

I'll convert my standar 27.5 bike (boost hubs) to 26+ with WTB Scraper rims and Ranger tires 26" x 2.8, maybe new Maxxis Minion DHF 26 plus in front

[@davidvanderwoude9682]

Perhaps these tests should be done on a longer circuit. I know that you would not have time to show the entire test, but, maybe a 1.5h to 2 h circuit. Reason for this would be fatigue. I wonder if the heavier wheels on the plus bike would take there toll on a rider after awhile. Or perhaps the added traction and cushion would negate the weight penalty. I notice when mountain biking many riders are pretty fast the first 30 minutes but begin to fad considerably after that, depending on fitness levels of course. I think a longer course would give viewers a better idea since most riders do not just ride 5 minutes. On the whole I just discovered GMBN after being a GCN fan and have been enjoying the videos thus far. I apologize if someone already made this suggestion, I did not have time to read all comments on my lunch break.

[@raafatzoabi6073]

I didn't expect that to happen 😮😮😮

[@Be4tJumper]

So neil, now that you've got a new bike how about a giveaway? i'm going to need a bike for those new mallet pedals when I win them.

[@markhumphries4327]

I always fit the fattest tyre my frame will carry as I feel they roll better over the rough stuff and give better grip in the corners.

[@carpenter751]

I just got the 2.5 minion wt on a 28id wheel and it feels closer to a plus bike but I kept the 2.3 aggressor in the rear to keep some pedaling efficiency. Seems like a good mix to me. My wheels are the enve m60 hv. I’ve tried a plus bike but I like to climb my recents in the Sierra and the seem to sluggish up hill.

[@cspants26]

My question is how would 27.5 compare for downhill racing, particularly certain muddy courses like the 2016 Crankworks DH in Les Gets, France? I watched this race recently and was amazed at how many riders struggled in the conditions and were getting completely bogged down in nearly bottom bracket deep mud and ruts. I had a similar experience years ago at a Big Bear, California nationals DH race. The course was a total sludge fest after it had snowed the night before and rained in the morning. It seemed like there might be an advantage to running tires in the 3" range and having a higher bottom bracket (e.g. 15-16") in some conditions. So, if you're taking requests, I'd like to see a downhill course mud test 27.5 v 27.5+...please ;)

[@Paul_Zernick]

I'm going from 25yrs on a 26 straight to a 5+ 3.00" tyre. Differences? I bet there will be. Good ones I'm hoping! 🤞👍

[@spencerpras]

I don't know if the plus wheel size will be the next big thing, but I feel that it will be around for awhile kind of on the sidelines like fat bikes are.

[@CraigSchumann]

1 second difference is hardly something you can attribute to the tire size, especially after only 1 run on each size. It's so easy for the rider to be the contributing factor. Would be more interested in seeing an average of multiple runs, possibly even including averages from different riders as well. Also, it's interesting that in the opening slow motion scene where Neil is coming down the rocky bit of trail how much lateral movement there is in the rear wheel. Can't really tell if it's purely wheel flex or coming from the rear triangle itself, but definitely not just the tire wobbling around. A bike/wheel that flexy surely has as much influence on the time as the rider or a '+' on the tire....?

[@downhilldevin505]

At 3:35 there is a man eating ice cream in the background!

[@thim8009]

I demo'd yeti sb 5 and sb5 + I noticed the plus bike wasn't as flickable over tecky terrain and noticed the extra weight on plus. Try riding over alot of rocky terrain with drops and having more precise landings on drops. Maybe works for others but I didn't like plus at all.

[@Vanadium]

Global Mountain Bike Network interesting thing about the tires. But hey the + size look just awesome. Would really like to know if it fits well to enduro riding. Can you make a video about light systems for MTB ? I cycle a lot and even when it is midnight, the dark would not stop me to ride single trails and other stuff. It looks like that no light can really keep up to the tougher fast rocky/bump sections or just heavy technical sections. All of them get lose, some of them wont but they will eventually break over time. Latest thing but best so far was a Powerled EVO + Karma EVO from Sigma Sport. Still the battery packs holder on the handlebars will break over time.

[@curtisf.r6233]

Im a little late to this video, but im looking forward to my new bike with 27.5+ tyres 👍😎

[@eddiebaby22]

great video thanks

[@mrzog12]

I've had 27+ the past 6 months. Really fun, but, for racing fast, 27.5 normal is faster IMO. I'm in the south east US where steep tight single track is the main trail type. For general trail riding the 27+ is very comfy, rolls very similar to 29, but floats a bit like a fat bike. however, acceleration and hard cornering (throwing threw slalom turns) are really where I found the big tires sluggish. Not to mention the ONLY way they felt close was running carbon wheels on the 27+, and that is vs the stock syncros wheels on my scott 27.5. So, much more $.

[@leobrener3583]

When is the dirt shed show gonna be downloaded

[@becmango]

can you do a 27 v 29er loop? I just got a 29 and love it but I agree it's a bit large for the technical stuff but I want to compare on more cross trails!

[@Rocky00412]

I wish there were 26 inch plus 😍😍😍

[@jayden2592]

Supriya Sagar there is

[@IsaacHaupt]

Tested a plus bike last night. Amazing how "easy" it makes the technical terrain. Felt gassed at the top of climbs though. For someone who wants to ride everything (meaning I want to enjoy the climbs and not just "get through" them) I am having a hard time deciding if I should go 27.5 or 27.5+ Suggestions? (Still riding an old 26 xc setup, looking for something more aggressive, but enjoy the challenge of a good climb)

[@TomAshworth]

Isaac Haupt that's me too

[@calcou]

Same here... What was your choice? After months of hesitation, I choose a norco torrent 7.1. It's a +bike and I'll have two sets of wheels. It will be my first do it all bike (anyway I'll keep my old 26 xc, love this one), and I really don't know what to expect. I read tons of articles with everything and its opposite about this wheel size...

[@stuff_from_mitch3418]

I bought a orbeak loki (know called "laufey") and im super happy with it. Its also a +bike and you know why i bought it? its super FUN to ride :D besides all these tests and the people who say its just marketing... just try a +bike and than you can make a decision. I rent a felt surplus and i immedeatly fell in love with these +bikes. cheers!

[@rtankard]

I still ride 26 with 2.4 Contis because my wheel and tyre combo are super bullet proof reliable. I'd like to see a strength and reliability comparison of the different sizes. Is 27.5+ going to be tougher than standard?

[@alabaster4263]

Lol 26

[@caseydog237]

I had the opportunity to ride at Trek's private trails today. Riding a Trek is a requirement there. I don't own one, so I borrowed on. Superfly Elite SL. Nice full suspension bike. I normally ride a 29+ Borealis carbon fatbike. Within the first ten minutes I got the feeling that I would be significantly faster on my fat bike. Couldn't do a side by side, but I can say with some surety that I'm faster on a 29+ than on a 29.

[@arthurp15]

The 27+ makes sense on a hardtail because it absorbs and cuts down on the maintenance of your typical fs bike. Seems redundant on an fs. Curious to see how a 29r compares to a 27+.

[@lpkaspar]

i would like to see a kind of comparison between plus hardtail and a normal enduro / trail full suspension bike on a technical trail. is it possible to replace the fully with the plus bike?

[@tomaswarner9443]

Btw awesome video! Best KZbin channel

[@prr665]

I'm highly interested to know what difference; if any, can be found between a 27.5 "Mini Plus" and a regular 27.5+ bike. In my case, I define "Mini Plus" as being my 2015 Derby 27.5 All Mountain 40mm tires (outer diameter measurement) and 34mm (inner width measurement). My wheels are connected to my 2015 Yeti SB5C.

[@SilverHunterIsHunted]

Try out the 27.5+ bike with the regular 27.5 wheel on the rear.

[@paulanson100]

Interesting piece - thanks. Were the standard 2.3 and the plus 3.0? Cheers?

[@bryanklein001]

Which climbs better over roots?

[@jeremymarti2125]

Bryan Klein the plus bike

[@Jayman5281]

Try a lower psi with the + tires. I personally ride at 10psi but recommend starting at 15psi to avoid burping or possible rim damage 🤙🤙🤙

[@batterybuilding]

I love experimenting with tire pressure. I have found the lower limit on my bikes the hard They get great traction climbing but I got punctures in a rock garden. Luckily the stans stemmed the flow until I got back to the TH. that was 8 psi 😂

[@Jayman5281]

Charley V yeah, ill ride a flow trail at 8psi. Like velcro in the best way

[@abelramos8652]

I dont wich is really faster but out of competition its more forgiving and smoother plus tires calle it fun call it enjoyable ... i pick the plus when a clock its not set

[@PB_Chill]

1 Second out of 285 seconds mean nothing unless you repeated the test 10 times. They did a detailed test of 26, 27.5 and 29 on a track like yours and 26 or 29 was faster than 27.5.

[@manuelcastrou79]

Which would happen if you do the same test but using the 27.5 first and then the 27.5+! I think uncertainty makes you try to go faster! And also add to the fatigue!

[@Wolfiebigtail]

great video again but i am always 27.5

[@HyLifeSociety]

They should've had a side by side video with POV cam the whole way through. I'm a heavier rider and really recommend the plus size, but for a lighter rider its hit or miss. (All preference)

[@Catcrumbs]

How did you measure the times? GPS cycling computers only measure at up to 1 Hz, so a delta of 1 s is well within the margin of error.

[@randyarcher1206]

Curious on the 27.5+ .... what tire dimensions were you running ?

[@super-sim1665]

What rim widths are they? This might have a time difference.They are not the same bike I would think the plus has wider rims not just tyres or the profile would be wrong for a genuine comparison.

[@sdggz3722]

still rocking them 24+

[@MacGordonify]

whats the song playing in the beginning of the video? :D good vid. Serves as a good baseline test for 27.5 and plus size wheels. I think you would get more significant results if you were to test wheels in different terrains and weather conditions, I'm thinking rainy and muddy or really soft sand kind of conditions. To me plus size wheels resemble fat tires most of all. Also I think this test is little skewed towards your choice of bike. You say you ride your "own" bike thus you know your own bike better than any other. Maybe you'd get different results if you rode some other bike with 27.5 and 27.5+ wheels? Maybe this is irrelevant to you since you are a professional rider.

[@literallyanythingelseother]

That's just margin of error. Basically they ride the same. So wouldn't the obvious choice be the 27.5+? Or would up hills not make it worth it. Of course you probably won't have many up hill sections if you use a 27.5 plus

[@74Tommygunn]

Close times...Question is..How does this translate to a 3hr ride, or a 3 lap 15-18mile race? Is the + less fatiguing to ride, and would it be faster over time. Or does it require more energy to get back up to speed after braking, etc... I switched from 26" Kona to 27.5 Norco Sight LE (with 2.35 Minions)last year. I can't trow it around as easily as my 26", but it's a lot more fun than a 29 and it flies thru the rock gardens. There's no perfect setup, and 27.5+ looks like a pretty good one quiver answer, but for me, it's my 27.5...and looking into a 4" Salsa Beargrease for the mud and winter.

[@calebdugan2943]

All I have atm is a hardtail 29 and I need a new bike like the genius to ride faster on the trails but they're all ridiculously expensive!?! Any advice?

[@brianburdett3463]

Could I suggest the new enduro 29 or stumphumper 29? Both bikes can be ran either 29 or 650b+

[@jimgilbert2340]

Brian Burdett j

[@aleghirox2363]

Brian Burdett Totally agree. I have a 2016 stumpy 27.5 + and use it with both 29" and 27.5" + wheels. I'm running 2.8" Nobby Nic on the 27.5" and at first I could not believe how much faster I was riding downhill. Also surprisingly comfortable uphill.

[@rivercarson5763]

You didn't point out that since you are used to the normal 27.5 you are getting as much as you can out of it, where as the 27.5 plus you would need to ride with for at least a few months to be on the same level with.

[@TheBigfootdood]

the real test is 27.5+ vs 29

[@bikerdhill]

the thing with 27.5+ is they run lower air pressures, and are wider giving more feel of flex between tire and rim when cornering, and feels very sketchy, and unnatural, not a good feeling when riding. if you up the air pressure like you have on a regular tire, then that makes for a very bouncy ride. I think it's just a marketing scam to make a new market segment. Anyone remember the nokian gazzaloddi 3.0 tires for 26 inch wheels, that didn't last

[@gmbn]

Gazzaloddi tyres were super heavy and draggy though. 27.5+ definitely rides differently but in certain situations the grip makes the bikes very fast.

[@tolonicks1]

COMPLETELY AGREE!!! DAMN! ITS ABOUT SOMEONE FINALLY SAID THAT PERFECT! WELL SAID - I race exp-pro at times / test ride in mtb mags and I have a 29er and as I said before a 27.5 has way more control- they claim a taller rider is suited best on a 29er- LOL BS!

[@Hawlkeye-e9p]

bikerdhill oh your describing tire rollover. thats responsable for thousands of crashes. majoe hispital bills. tire rollover on the front wheel is the #1 reason for breaking your neck. and being the biggest blunder in mountain biking. selling 2.3 tires with 19mm internal rim width is a death wish

[@tolonicks1]

so whats your preference 27.5 or 29er ?

[@andreaspucher9229]

That is simply not true. I own a plus hardtail and you can shred it like any enduro in my opinion. You have to dial in your tyre pressure with a gauge and you are good to go. Simple and way more fun than any full sus I own. No flex at all…You can not compare any good plus tyre from today to the old nokian.