Are 26 inch wheel bikes still a thing?

[MichaelW2]

In the world of hiking a similar thing happened. Someone noticed that people with longer legs hike faster, and wear bigger boots. Bigger boots became the trendy size to wear and now even petite women wear Size12 so they can walk as quickly as big guys.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

In the world of hiking a similar thing happened. Someone noticed that people with longer legs hike faster, and wear bigger boots. Bigger boots became the trendy size to wear and now even petite women wear Size12 so they can walk as quickly as big guys.

???

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Remember with disc brakes you can always fit different sized wheels provided you don’t get pedal strike. 26” wheels can still be bought.

 

[sevenfourate]

Almost every bearing type, BB design, terrain ridden; crank length, tyre width - even frame material (Steel anyone ?) has gone full circle and come back into fashion. Hang onto your currently historic 26” bike long enough; and it too will be bang up to date….. 😉

 

[Veronese68]

Still ride my 97 Marin Nail Trail at times

 

[DRM]

Yes, Ye Olde Ancient 1990 (I think) Raleigh MTB, now with road tyres, mudguards, rack & panniers, & Cannondale SL3 MTB

 

[diplodicus]

Rode this 10 days ago. Doesn't get much use but still rides well for a 1999 mtb

 

[biggs682]

Two 26" wheeled Marin's in the garage

 

[fossyant]

Off the peg 26" wheels are getting rarer, but you can still buy budget wheels. For my commuter, I have some Decathlon wheels that are disc/rim brake compatible. These are now spares, as I sourced some lovely 'period' Shimano XT parallax hubs (via ebay), then built them into a pair of Ryde Zac200 rims - Ryde still do loads of rims and aren't going anywhere. I managed to wear out the rear rim in 12 months of commuting, so £35 for a new rim, re-laced it, jobs a good 'en. So I have a really good set of quality wheels for my old bike now, that are very serviceable. XT hubs are excellent for the poor weather you get commuting.

 

[TheDoctor]

650B was more-or-less extinct for ages, before being reinvented.
In a world where even 26 * 1 3/8 tyres are still available, I don't see 26" MTBs going away.

 

[oxoman]

Some of my best PB,s for cannock and various other bike trails are on a 26er way more maneuverable than a 27 or 29er. Although almost tempted by 29er hardtail for bikepacking. 26ers seemed to be aimed at kids for a bit. When 27 and 29ers came out.

 

[wafter]

They're certainly extinct new, but I suspect it'll be a very long time until spares dry up (think many other parts of the world still run on 26").

If it's still working for you, why change?

 

[CXRAndy]

I believe they are. Useful for Oompa Loompas. 29 and 27.5 more common these days