R.E1 650B German company Rotwild has seven new models for 2013, with the 27.5"-wheeled R.E1 being the most interesting to us. The addition of the mid-sized wheel to Rotwild's lineup allows the 26"-wheeled R.E1 to sit at a full 180mm, while the model shown here features a more all-around 160mm figure. The bike's rear suspension, dubbed 'XMS - Enduro', uses a four bar, Horst Link layout that should allow the design to remain neutral to rider input. Frame details include all of the usual points that you'd expect to see on a bike in this travel category; ISCG-05 tabs for a chain guide, a tapered head tube, and a 12 x 142mm rear end included. The R.E1's dropouts are particularly interesting, with a clever replaceable insert allowing for a number of different axle configurations, and the complete bike coming stock with a Shimano-compatible Direct Mount derailleur hanger. | • 160mm of rear wheel travel • Aluminum frame • Rotwild XMS - Enduro suspension • 66.5° head angle • ISCG-05 chain guide tabs • FOX Float CTD shock w/ Kashima • 12 x 142mm thru-axle • Sizes: small, medium, large, x-large |
R.E1 Going down in wheel size lets Rotwild move up in travel, with the 26"-wheeled R.E1 sitting at a full 180mm via a 2.5'' stroke FOX Float CTD shock with the gold Kashima touch. A heavy-hitting FOX 36 Talas matches the rear end in travel, but its Talas dial will allow the R.E1 rider to reign in the bike's 66° head angle when it comes to to earn those turns. A minimalist dual-ring guide comes as stock equipment as well, with the same thought in mind. Other component highlights include a colour-matching DT Swiss Tricon wheelset (a lightweight EXC1550 Carbon wheelset is also an option from Rotwild), and a Shimano XT drivetrain. | • 180mm of rear wheel travel • Aluminum frame • Rotwild XMS - Enduro suspension • 66° head angle • ISCG-05 chain guide tabs • FOX Float CTD shock w/ Kashima • 12 x 142mm thru-axle • Sizes: small, medium, large, x-large |
R.X2 Rotwild's 150mm travel bracket is split into two frame options: either the aluminum R.X1, or the carbon fiber R.X2 pictured above. The frame's 'XMS - All Mountain' rear suspension employs a re-worked rocker link compared to 2012 that Rotwild says has upped the frame's stiffness, thereby helping to limit the FOX CTD shock's side loading. Just as on the longer travel R.E1, a tapered head tube and inter-changeable 12 x 142mm dropouts are present, but the bike's ISCG-05 chain guide tabs are a bolt-on, replaceable piece. The top tier model shown here features a no-holds-barred build, with an XTR drivetrain and brake spec, as well as a 150mm travel FOX 32 Talas CTD fork with the Kashima treatment. Interestingly, the entire R.X range has been spec'd with triple crank sets. | • 150mm of rear wheel travel • Carbon fiber frame • Aluminum seat and chain stays • 68.5° head angle • Replaceable ISCG-05 tabs • FOX Float CTD shock w/ Kashima • 12 x 142 thru-axle • Sizes: small, medium, large |
R.R2 29 While the 26"-wheeled R.R2 platform has been very successful in the past, Rotwild found that the design's layout didn't translate over to the larger 29" wheels as well as they would like. The answer is the brand new, 115mm travel design shown above that allows Rotwild to postion the bike's pivots where there would otherwise not be able to with the older layout. The new bike is available in both carbon and aluminum flavours, with the upscale R.R2 29 featured here. Rotwild designed the new model as a pure race bike, and they say that it sports a firm feel with that in mind. | • 115mm of rear wheel travel • Carbon fiber frame • Firm, race-oriented travel • 69.25° head angle • FOX Float CTD shock w/ Kashima • 135mm dropouts • Sizes: small, medium, large |
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Look at Scott's Genius trail line up this year only with 29 inch wheels. And I'm sure there are many other companies following the same.
As for having more choices, yup it is great! Except more choices generally mean higher cost as well.
So it's pushing people who want new frames to have 29". That means the options have gone. In other words if you want a new frame you have to buy wheels/forks too = more £££/$$$
650b? Tried an Intense Carbine and loved it instantly. Geo felt great, and it turned exactly how I wanted. If you're thinking of going to big wheels and you love 26ers, it's a viable option... 2 cents.
And.. er... 27.5!
I've ridden a couple of 650s (Norco Range Killer B, Sight Killer B, Jamis 650...) and have found them to handle just as nice as a 26er but with a smoother ride. In fact some of the 2013 Norco 650s have a shorter wheelbase than their 26" counterparts. I used them on the North Shore, used them in the East, and not once did I wish I had a 26" bike.
I've also ridden a number of 29ers and love them for my local trails. I find I just perform better on the trail with them compared to a 26er. Can I bunny hop them as high? No, and my cornering is a little slower too. But the number of times I need to bust a full out bunny hop or pull a u-turn on the trail are limited, and the pros outweigh the cons for me. This is not the case for everybody, and that's cool; ride what you like.
They use 650c wheels for triathlon don't they? Why do they think that's better? I think they use them because they just always have, and actually the difference between wheel sizes doesn't matter that much.
I believe that 26, 27.5 and 29 inch wheels handle a bit differently. I don't believe that it matters that much for 99% of riders. I've been told by different people in the industry, at different times, and independently of each other, that the push for bigger wheels is a commercially driven scam to sell more bikes.
I am not saying I think big wheels are shit, but I am saying they aren't necessary. If everyone who can afford two bikes spent the money they used to buy one of them to actually learn to ride the bike they have, the sport would be better for it. Sadly the reason it doesn't happen is that old washed up guys with families, like myself, have more free money than free time and that, Smike, is why 29ers didn't die after six months like they should have done.
I feel like everybody is a conspiracy theorist when it comes to this stuff. They think everybody is just trying to rip them off and make money. Truth is, while it might make them more money, it gives the consumer more options to fine-tune their ride. I work at a shop and have yet to have a customer come in and buy a 29er because they think it will be an improvement over their 26er. They come in because they need a new bike, and then they try out the 29er and find it will suit them better. It doesn't make the company more money, they were gonna buy a bike whether or not it came with 26, 27, or 29" wheels. We simply have more options now.
typo edit
In matter affect i don't think that peoples develop things brfor them tring them-self...
want to try one,