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26'' vs 27.5''

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26'' vs 27.5''

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flag alexscheuer
Posted: Oct 11, 2019 at 11:15 Quote
Looking to buy my first fatbike, for mostly winter use, not sure if theres an advantage to buying a 26'' tire bike now that Giant has the Yukon on 27.5 x 4.5. I recently upgraded my All mountain Norco (26") to a Giant Trance 27.5'' and I'm amazed by the rolling abilities and speed I got, would it be the same with a Fat bike?

Thanks for info!
flag Cstunes
Posted: Oct 13, 2019 at 5:32 Quote
I spent my first year on a 26” Beargreaser and have since moved to Farley 7. The 27.5 defiantly rolls over trail features easier. If you ride dry single track with your fatty I’d personally opt for the 27.5 to get over features easier. It feels like it will roll over anything you run across. If it’s just to bomb around or strictly snow the 26” would be just fine.
flag alexscheuer
Posted: Oct 14, 2019 at 8:07 Quote
Cstunes wrote:
I spent my first year on a 26” Beargreaser and have since moved to Farley 7. The 27.5 defiantly rolls over trail features easier. If you ride dry single track with your fatty I’d personally opt for the 27.5 to get over features easier. It feels like it will roll over anything you run across. If it’s just to bomb around or strictly snow the 26” would be just fine.

Thanks Cstunes!
flag f1nnl3strange
Posted: Oct 15, 2019 at 3:56 Quote
I dont own a fat bike but i have owned 26" and 27.5" bikes and my current ride, a 27.5"+ bike rolls and is much smoother on trials than my 26", it also handels a bit better as a 26" i found to be a bit twitchy when steering.
flag alexscheuer
Posted: Oct 17, 2019 at 6:33 Quote
here is my break down of the 6 bikes that are in my price range, all are the base models. Did I forget any brands i should be looking at? I didn't include any bikesdirect brands because they don't seem to ship to Cananda. I have tried a fat boy on two occasions in snow, the front washed out alot and the brakes didn't feel that great, from the specking I don't find the price matches up. I think I'm leaning towards the Giant Yukon 2.

fat bike spec
1. Price
2. tire size
3. tire brand
4. rim
5. weight
6. crankset
7. drivetrain
8. derailler
10. brakes
11. head angle
12. wheel base

Devinci minus 10s
1) 1499.00$
2) 26 x 4.7
3) Veetire bulldozer
4) v2 comp db 94mm
5) 35.63lbs
6) 26t
7) sunrace csms2 10s 11-42t
8) shimano deore m6000
9) sram level t 180mm
10) 70°
11) 1117mm

Giant yukon 2
1) 1599.00$
2) 27.5 x 4.5
3) Maxxis Colossus
4) Giant FB 86mm(inner)
5) na
6) 28t wave ring
7) shimano HG500 11x42 10 speed
8) shimano deore shadow+
9) shimano mt-201 hydrolic 180 f, 160 r
10) 68.5°
11) 1149.8mm

Trek farley 5
1) 2099.00$
2) 27.5 x 4.5
3) Bontrager Gnarwhal
4) SUNRingle Mulefut 80SL
5) 31.31lbs
6) raceface 28t
7) shimano hg50 11-42 10 speed
8) shimano deore m6000
9) sram level hydro
10) 69°
11) 1105mm

Specialized fatboy se
1) 1899.00$
2) 26 x 4.6
3) Ground Control fat
4) Stout xc 80 76mm internal
5) 30ish lbs
6) 28t
7) sunrace 11-42t 10 speed
8) shimano deore shadow plus
9) tektro aries mech 180f 160r
10) 71°
11) 1113mm

Norco bigfoot 3
1) 1299.00$
2) 26 x 4.9
3) Chaoyang Big Daddy
4) Alloy SW fat rim 80mm
5) na
6) samox 28t
7) shimano deore hg500 11-42t
8) shimano deore m6000
9) tektro md-280 180f 160r
10) 68.5°
11) 1153mm

Rockymountain blizzard 10
1) 1299.00$
2) 26 x 4.8
3) Maxxis Fbr-Fbf
4) rocky mountain speedhole 95mm
5) na
6) 24t
7) sunrace csm980 11-40t 9speed
8) shimano altus 9 spd
9) tektro md-m280
10) 67°
11) 1147mm
flag Cstunes
Posted: Oct 20, 2019 at 5:29 Quote
Possibly consider a higher end Framed build? The low end versions I’ve ridding were not great but presumably the higher spec models are much better.

The pricing on the fat boy should get you above the SE and into the 11 speed NX build (at least in US currency). That would be a better option IMO but pricing may vary between CA and US and put it out of your budget.

My wife has a FB NX build and I have to say it’s a sweet bike. I could stare at it all day. Very nicely built. Add a dropper and it’s a great bike for single track dry or snow. The tires washing could be a number of variables. Too high pressure, just a bad tread design etc. I haven’t ridden it in earnest to say that they grip well or not but they seem to be pretty good for a beginner to the fat world.

I do love my Farley though. It would be the last bike I sold if I had to sell them.

I’d probably opt for one of the 27.5 options you have.
flag billg
O+
Posted: Oct 26, 2019 at 19:48 Quote
I am in about the same budget, and also on the fence on the 26" vs 27.5".

Based on specs, and price, I'm leaning towards the RSD Mayor (build 2), but the 27.5" wheels and studdable tires keep bringing me back to the Farley 5.

Given that my intent is a winter only bike, and the rolling diameters of the bigger 26 and 27.5" wheels are basically the same, any insights?
flag alexscheuer
Posted: Oct 28, 2019 at 7:21 Quote
billg wrote:
I am in about the same budget, and also on the fence on the 26" vs 27.5".

Based on specs, and price, I'm leaning towards the RSD Mayor (build 2), but the 27.5" wheels and studdable tires keep bringing me back to the Farley 5.

Given that my intent is a winter only bike, and the rolling diameters of the bigger 26 and 27.5" wheels are basically the same, any insights?

I don't know the brand, but the price seems to be comparable to the Trek. I personaly would go for the Farley 5 if I had to choose between those two!
flag Biggs427
O+
Posted: Nov 4, 2019 at 6:46 Quote
My riding buddies and I have for the most part Rocky Blizzard or Trek Farley. I own a Blizzard 10.

My less than scientific observations are that the 26 seems to have larger tires which seems to help "floats" when the trails are not too hard packed.

The 27.5 seems to rolls over things better and seems generally faster on well packed trails.

The Blizzard 10 is a really fun bike thanks to its 67 deg HA.

But the mechanical brakes needs to be replaced. The Blizzard 20 is in your price range and have hydro brakes but I'd rather go with the 10 and replace the brakes and not having a SX drivetrain. That's the route I choose as had hydro brakes laying around.

If there's lot of ice where you ride I'd be more concerned with tire "studdability" than floats.
flag QuebecPoulin
O+
Posted: Nov 10, 2019 at 10:39 Quote
Check RSD Mayor. Very nice bike and specs for the price. Plus they ship in Canada. Proud owner !
flag billybilly
Posted: Nov 12, 2019 at 19:52 Quote
norco bigfoot 2 - it's inline with several of the prices on your list, has a dropper post (mandatory for me) and comes with tires you can add studs too (also mandatory for me). But it has 26 wheels.
flag burnzieboy
O+
Posted: Nov 13, 2019 at 9:11 Quote
I personally ride an old Pugsley that just has some charm to it I cannot get rid of. I modified it to be 1x10 and carbon bars and post. Also put better hubs on it and have 4.3" Surly Ednas setup tubeless. My large weighs right around 31 lbs with pedals.

I think from what most people tell me the 27.5" are faster generally but in deep snow they are not as good as 26" tire with 4.8" float. That being said it you will mostly ride well travelled and/or groomed trails the 27.5" tire should work great and the Treks are nice and light.

If you are considering 26" I would also look at the Surly Wednesday or Ice Cream Truck as they are both under $2000 and are fun to ride. Also the Kona Fat Bikes are sweet and have a nice trail bike handling to them.

Framed is really popular here in Michigan, an Alaskan Carbon with Carbon Wheels and Fork can be bought for around $2000 which is a great deal. They are good bikes and I think would hold their own with other bikes in this price range.

Just my 2 cents.
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