Are 26 inch wheel bikes still a thing?

[TheDoctor]

27.5 is just another name for 650B. So much of a new thing that Sheldon was writing about it in 2005...

 

[Drago]

27.5 is just another name for 650B. So much of a new thing that Sheldon was writing about it in 2005...

A favoured touring size in the fifties for our more enlightened continental cousins.

 

[TheDoctor]

Which came in handy in the '80s when I needed a 26 by 1 1/4 tube in France.
One or other of the 650 tubes was near enough...

 

[simonali]

Two 26" wheeled Marin's in the garage

Ditto. Actually, there are three but one is the wife's.

 

[ktmbiker58]

My On One Inbred 26er - single speed - it's very light and responsive - a terrific ride at my local trail centre even if I get the occasional question "how do the gears work mister?" The answer is in my legs

 

[Ming the Merciless]

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

Eh, I rode 26” for 20 years and I am 6’ tall. They certainly aren’t for short arses.

 

[biggs682]

I have been using my 26" wheel equipped Marin Palasides recently and i still find it great fun to ride.

And i am noticing quite a few 26" wheeled expedition / heavy duty touring bikes coming up for sale one of which is not a million miles away

 

[figbat]

I have a 1997 Saracen Dirt Trax and a 2007 Kona Caldera on 26"s; neither get much use but they are not dead either. In fact I have a vague plan to do a century ride on the Saracen later this year (it is set up as a commuter/utility bike, with guards, a rack, panniers etc).

Last week one of the guys on our weekly evening MTB ride came out on his 26" Rockhopper when his 29er was indisposed. Kept up.

 

[mickle]

I'm sticking with 26" wheels on my mountain bikes.

And
9 speed cassettes,
inner tubes,
110 and 94 BCD,
25.4 bar clamp diameter,
square taper cranks,
FRONT DERAILLEURS!
etc etc etc

 

[fossyant]

I'm sticking with 26" wheels on my mountain bikes.

And
9 speed cassettes,
inner tubes,
110 and 94 BCD,
25.4 bar clamp diameter,
square taper cranks,
FRONT DERAILLEURS!
etc etc etc

9 speed, you are modern. Still run 7 speed on my commuter. 8 speed cassettes (less a sprocket), 8-10 speed hubs/wheels, added spacer and 3.0mm spacers for 8 speed, not 3.1mm that's 7 speed. Seven speed shifter/brake levers though, and they have just 'worked' for 35 years.

 

[MichaelW2]

This depends on the usage scenario. If it is a hardtail bike, the 26-inch wheel performs better, it is more flexible and accelerates faster.

Smaller wheels are usually stiffer than larger wheels, esp at the same spoke count

 

[figbat]

This depends on the usage scenario. If it is a hardtail bike, the 26-inch wheel performs better, it is more flexible and accelerates faster.

“Performs better” is a broad and somewhat subjective description. Bigger wheels roll over surface imperfections better, are more stable at speed and hold more momentum.

I have a 26” hardtail and two 29ers. I’d ride either 29er over the 26er any day (and do).

 

[BMBoy]

Have to confess I've got a 29", 27.5" and a couple of 26" wheeled MTBs. You definitely notice the difference when riding on the technical stuff but the 26" bikes are still good fun in their own way. My favourite 26" bike is my Specialized fitted with spiked tyres for riding in icy conditions......the grip's unbelievable, you can pull a wheelie on sheet ice if you want!

 

[figbat]

Have to confess I've got a 29", 27.5" and a couple of 26" wheeled MTBs. You definitely notice the difference when riding on the technical stuff but the 26" bikes are still good fun in their own way. My favourite 26" bike is my Specialized fitted with spiked tyres for riding in icy conditions......the grip's unbelievable, you can pull a wheelie on sheet ice if you want!

Yep - I have the same mix of wheels and recently went out on the 26er after mostly riding the others and noticed how small the wheels felt. That said, the frame geometry and fork are also old fashioned so the whole experience is ‘vintage’.

 

[Punkawallah]

My FLBS has more second hand 26” wheels than you can shake a stick at - only deals in second hand.