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Am I crazy? (Probably)

PB Forum :: 27.5/650b
Am I crazy? (Probably)
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flag matts194
O+
Posted: Sep 7, 2021 at 15:14 Quote
Hey everyone! New to the forum and wanted some opinions on a dilemma I’m having. So I’m a 27.5 guy ever since my first full suspension in 2015. I loved my 2015 giant trance. It’s where it all started for me. Anyway I’ve stuck to 27.5 ever since. I got a 27.5 intense downhill bike and 27.5 nukeproof scout hardtail and a 27.5 intense primer. Love all 3 of these. So recently I decided I wanted a 120mm short travel XC bike. I went out and purchased a 2021 Scott spark. This bike is 29 and it’s my first 29. Not going to lie I hate it. It feels lazy and slow unlike what I was expecting from a spark. So my dilemma is should I convert it to 27.5? Is this sacrilege? I have several sets of wheels and tires wouldn’t be hard to swap but am I making a mistake? I’m really so turned off with the speak I’m considering selling it. Am I crazy?

Thanks
Matt
flag natas2125
Posted: Sep 7, 2021 at 21:48 Quote
I've had both and prefer the 27.5 over the 29 any day, do what makes you happy as you are the one riding the bike not someone else. You don't have to ride a 29er, that's why there are options.
flag matts194
O+
Posted: Sep 8, 2021 at 5:03 Quote
natas2125 wrote:
I've had both and prefer the 27.5 over the 29 any day, do what makes you happy as you are the one riding the bike not someone else. You don't have to ride a 29er, that's why there are options.

I think you are right. I’m going to swap it to 27.5 and if I still don’t like it I’m selling it. Not impressed at all by this bike. I thought XC bikes were supposed to be light and fun but this thing feels like a tank.
flag onyxss
Posted: Sep 8, 2021 at 5:16 Quote
matts194 wrote:
Hey everyone! New to the forum and wanted some opinions on a dilemma I’m having. So I’m a 27.5 guy ever since my first full suspension in 2015. I loved my 2015 giant trance. It’s where it all started for me. Anyway I’ve stuck to 27.5 ever since. I got a 27.5 intense downhill bike and 27.5 nukeproof scout hardtail and a 27.5 intense primer. Love all 3 of these. So recently I decided I wanted a 120mm short travel XC bike. I went out and purchased a 2021 Scott spark. This bike is 29 and it’s my first 29. Not going to lie I hate it. It feels lazy and slow unlike what I was expecting from a spark. So my dilemma is should I convert it to 27.5? Is this sacrilege? I have several sets of wheels and tires wouldn’t be hard to swap but am I making a mistake? I’m really so turned off with the speak I’m considering selling it. Am I crazy?

Thanks
Matt

If you hate 29er feeling, stick with 27.5, why do you want opinions of some random forum guys about that? The only thing that matters is your opinion/feeling, in the end of the day its your money and you will be riding this bike Smile
flag matts194
O+
Posted: Sep 8, 2021 at 8:28 Quote
I guess I was just wondering if I was crazy to do it. Am I the only one the turn a 29er into a 27.5?
flag WasatchEnduro
Posted: Sep 8, 2021 at 9:12 Quote
Lotsa fast guys I know own or have owned a Spark as their xc(ish) bike. They were lightAF top shelf builds tho. Going to bigger wheels and tires is a rotational weight increase so initial acceleration is going to feel slower.
Also if you’re on a more ‘basic’ model it may have heavy cranks and cassette and their alu xc frames aren’t too light I think. So yeah could be a weight penalty plus the adjustment to handling. I’d ride 29 absolutely in NC but you do you.

I’d check the math on what the adjusted bb height will be with smaller wheelz and make sure you’re ok with that and won’t die given your local terrain. And consider shorter cranks. Roots and rocks? Maybe not a great idea but you could always keep 29 up front. I moved to carbon hoops when I jumped to 29 to add some snappiness back.

Not crazy maybe you’re just a normal obsessed rider like the rest of us always tweaking your setup searching for the elusive holy grail. If you sell it make sure you buy first!
flag chize
Posted: Sep 8, 2021 at 10:16 Quote
I'd play around with suspension settings before you go and throw 27.5s on it, in my experience if a bike feels dead it's usually down to the suspension not the wheel size. I'd start with less sag and faster rebound. Like WasatchEnduro said the BB is going to be pretty low but if you have a spare set of wheels you don't loose anything giving it a shot.
flag matts194
O+
Posted: Sep 8, 2021 at 11:35 Quote
So this is the Scott speak 960. It is the aluminum bike but still only weights in at 32.4 pounds on a XL frame. I’m wondering if I was to swap on a sid fork and maybe a few lighter parts I could get it under 30 pounds and that would make it feel better. Just don’t know if I should spend money to try and “fix” it or Cut my losses.
flag matts194
O+
Posted: Sep 8, 2021 at 11:37 Quote
Thanks for everyone’s advice btw
flag matts194
O+
Posted: Sep 8, 2021 at 11:52 Quote
WasatchEnduro wrote:
Not crazy maybe you’re just a normal obsessed rider like the rest of us always tweaking your setup searching for the elusive holy grail. If you sell it make sure you buy first!

This describes me to the letter. Big Grin
flag bc-bike
Posted: Sep 8, 2021 at 13:10 Quote
matts194 wrote:
So this is the Scott speak 960. It is the aluminum bike but still only weights in at 32.4 pounds on a XL frame. I’m wondering if I was to swap on a sid fork and maybe a few lighter parts I could get it under 30 pounds and that would make it feel better. Just don’t know if I should spend money to try and “fix” it or Cut my losses.

a 120mm short travel XC bike weighing in at 32.4#, ya i'd hate that too. When you said "scott spark" I pictured a 21~22 lb xc rig in my head.

IMO to enjoy XC riding, need a bike under 25lbs with pedals and try to get some light fast rolling wheels on what ever you end up with. I would not bother trying to fix what you hate. You'll hate it more and you'll create an expensive frankenbike. Been there, done that.
flag matts194
O+
Posted: Sep 8, 2021 at 13:17 Quote
bc-bike wrote:
matts194 wrote:
So this is the Scott speak 960. It is the aluminum bike but still only weights in at 32.4 pounds on a XL frame. I’m wondering if I was to swap on a sid fork and maybe a few lighter parts I could get it under 30 pounds and that would make it feel better. Just don’t know if I should spend money to try and “fix” it or Cut my losses.

a 120mm short travel XC bike weighing in at 32.4#, ya i'd hate that too. When you said "scott spark" I pictured a 21~22 lb xc rig in my head.

IMO to enjoy XC riding, need a bike under 25lbs with pedals and try to get some light fast rolling wheels on what ever you end up with. I would not bother trying to fix what you hate. You'll hate it more and you'll create an expensive frankenbike. Been there, done that.

Yep I’m begging to think the same thing. I believe it’s going away. Maybe I won’t lose to much money on it.
flag lkjk
Posted: Sep 8, 2021 at 13:20 Quote
bc-bike wrote:
matts194 wrote:
So this is the Scott speak 960. It is the aluminum bike but still only weights in at 32.4 pounds on a XL frame. I’m wondering if I was to swap on a sid fork and maybe a few lighter parts I could get it under 30 pounds and that would make it feel better. Just don’t know if I should spend money to try and “fix” it or Cut my losses.

a 120mm short travel XC bike weighing in at 32.4#, ya i'd hate that too. When you said "scott spark" I pictured a 21~22 lb xc rig in my head.

IMO to enjoy XC riding, need a bike under 25lbs with pedals and try to get some light fast rolling wheels on what ever you end up with. I would not bother trying to fix what you hate. You'll hate it more and you'll create an expensive frankenbike. Been there, done that.


+1, that's super heavy. I'm pretty indifferent to carbon frames in general but the one place it seems where it seems to make sense is on a short travel XC bike, for weight reasons.

I'd sell and start over, at 32lbs i'd rather just have more travel.
flag matts194
O+
Posted: Sep 8, 2021 at 13:36 Quote
Yeah I believe everyone is right. Deep down I knew it too but just need some confirmation. Dang it. Well anyone want lightly used Scott spark? Lol coming to a Pinkbike listing near you.
flag nematon785
Posted: Sep 18, 2021 at 11:36 Quote
Scott made a spark 700sl in 27.5. Top shelf carbon everything with decent geo ahead of its time. The xtr/sram xx1 with no dropper i had was under 22lbs. Conti racekings tubeless. These sell for 2500 to 3k, were about 10k new.
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