Aside from Boost, 27.5+ seems to be the big talking point at the Taipei Show, and it's clear to see that this fresh snowball has started rolling with some momentum. There are 27.5+ tires and and rims everywhere, but so far we have only tracked down one bike with them fitted. The bike was surprisingly muddy, which might even be proof that's someone's actually ridden this latest wheel size.
PanaracerThis Panaracer FatbNimble will be available for 27.5+ and 29+. The former will be in a 3.5" width, but Panaracer say it comes up a little narrower in reality, towards 3.2". For the 29+ version, it's a 3.0" width. The 58a, single compound tire weighs only 730g, which is probably the lightest mid-fat of this bunch. Shipping in mid-April for $50 with wire bead, and $80 with a kevlar bead.
DuroI couldn't get much information from Duro about their tires, but they had this Crux 3.25" for 27.5+ and 29+, and the Miner 3.0" x 27.5+. The most aggressive tread pattern we've seen so far, and basically a scaled up version of a standard tire, whereas the other brands seem to be heading towards lower profile patterns.
KendaThis Kenda Havok 3.0" is low profile and comes with 'DTC' (
Dual Trail Compound), 60a in the centre for faster rolling, and 50a side knobs for improved grip. Surely we will be getting plenty of grip due to this incredible new tire size anyways? No confirmed figures from Kenda yet, but they said they should be available in April.
Vee TireVee Tire might not come to mind when thinking about high-end rubber, but they have an extended range of widths in their new Trax Fatty: 2.8", 3.0" and 3.25". The top of the line versions come with a 120TPI casing and a 'Silica Compound' rubber. Weighing from 800 grams up to 950 grams for the largest width, and priced at $110, $115 and $120 USD respectively. Vee Tire don't mention any specific 27.5+ sized bikes in their literature, but suggest you can retrofit 27.5 wheels a these tires to your existing 29er chassis. In fact, Vee had the only bike that we have tracked down at the show so far that actually had 27.5+ tires mounted, and it even had mud on it, proof that somebody, somewhere, has actually ridden an 27.5+!
As in:
"How was that party last night?"
"Meh. I'd give it a B+."
-or-
"How's the MTB industry doing at innovating these days?"
"Oh, I dunno. I'd give them a B+ since there's some OK stuff occasionally, but mostly they are just trying to wring more cash out of us."
"Not too good, B+"
The duro leopard is still quite available in 24 and 26 x 3.0, and while I haven't tried the gazz, the duro similar and possibly even better (more round). I use the duro's on my hardtail for some types of riding.
The problem I have is the BS axle standards that aren't really required to un 2.8" which is apparently the optimum.
They have kind of wasted their time and energy on this 27.5+
I bought two new 26ers in the last 6 months , I'll buy them as long as I can, and I'm pretty confident it will not disappear anytime soon.
But I agree 26+ makes way more sense
*Makes 29r*-"No wait guys we made it too big" *makes 650B*
*makes fat bikes* "No wait guys we made it too big *makes mid fat*
Am I doing.something wrong?
Gotta love the dog shit on the rear tire!! lol
Wonder what happens when you crank down hard on that turner with a little side to side lean while climbing or take a corner wrenching down on the inside handle bar and outside pedal with no tire clearance, and 27.5" wheels that have more flex than the standard 26". I can hear the tire rub just thinking about. Might not be an issue for the average weight rider just pussyfooting around on that bike, but ride hard and your going to have some serious safety issues. For a clyde like me, 6'4 240lb those tires would be screaming with tire rub every time I leaned in for a turn, pedaled hard or hit some chunk.
27.5+ tyres though..... What the industry isn't telling us is that these tyres weigh between 1.3 kg and 1.5 kg with adequate sidewall strength and puncture resistance. Who in their right mind is going to drastically increase rotational weight and rolling resistance for more traction?
I have an answer
LEAVE THE WHEELS ALONE! , and design me a pair of gloves that won't fall apart after a few rides! Or a fork that doesn't require re-builds every 40 miles!
forums.mtbr.com/27-29/27-5-frame-compatibility-thread-post-your-setup-957906.html#post11829996
i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/335/596/510/510596335_228.JPG
Now compatible with IMBA's 'Flow trails'.
$100+ for a tire?! A BICYCLE tire?!!!
But it's not April 1st.
.....I recall Nokian, Arrow, IRC AND Maxxis ALL had 3.0 tires for under $90. In fact, I even paid low as $55.
Surly Knard 26 x 3.0 (875g with kevlar bead)... surlybikes.com/parts/wheels/knard_26x3
Both designed for minimum 35mm width rims, optimal rim width is 50mm.
Everyone knows streetcred is everything these days.........
You would have to have legs like Chris Hoy to get it moving.
Surly Dirt Wizard 26 x 2.75 (850g with kevlar bead)... surlybikes.com/parts/wheels/dirt_wizard_26
Surly Knard 26 x 3.0 (875g with kevlar bead)... surlybikes.com/parts/wheels/knard_26x3
Both designed for minimum 35mm width rims, optimal rim width is 50mm.
But it's different so it receives negative feedback.. No one is forcing you guys to ride these.
It may not make sense for a quiver killer, but rather another fun bike to add to the stable.
I dig it.
Frame with wider format 148mm rear and 110mm front spacing. Built for 29er wheels. But clearance for much wider.
Swap into 27.5+ tires with 40+mm wide rims and you have a almost fat bike that can be a f*cking riot on rocks,sand snow and DH. You will go slow up but fly down.Swap back to 29 x2.3 stuff when it dries out or you are on the buff track.
Sounds pretty reasonable actually. FYI- I am a total 26" guy BTW. But this trend may have some legs.