First Look: Trek's Prototype 650B Session DH Bike - NZ Nationals

Feb 14, 2014
by Mike Levy  
Trek 650B Session
Photo: Brook MacDonald, Instagram

New Zealand's Brook MacDonald just uploaded a photo of his prototype 650B wheeled Trek Session race bike, the machine that he'll be aboard for this weekend's National Championships in Rotorua. While there's no real concrete info at this point, it's clear to see that the bike employs the same ABP and Full Floater suspension layout that the Session has used in the past. Comparing the frame to the current production model does seem to show some slightly different shaping in the carbon tubing, however, and it is very likely that this prototype sees different geometry to work with the larger wheel size when compared to the standard 26" wheeled bike.

It's also worth pointing out what looks to be a more developed version of the prototype FOX RAD-spec shock that we spotted at last year's World Champs event. Its adjusters are much cleaner than that early version, and the shock's piggy back also appears to be quite a bit shorter as well. The fork is a FOX 40 Float RC2 with 650B compatible lowers with seven millimeters of added offset compared to the 26" model in order to correct for proper trail geometry, and it's likely that its internals have been given the RAD treatment that includes different valving, lower friction seals, and Kashima coating applied to the damper and air rods.

Stay tuned for a detailed bike check

www.trekbikes.com

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech First Looks Trek


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223 Comments
  • 420 17
 Looks like a session.
  • 17 75
flag siderealwall2 (Feb 14, 2014 at 23:18) (Below Threshold)
 haha. Like a xl session.
  • 25 133
flag SoCalMX (Feb 14, 2014 at 23:52) (Below Threshold)
 "Looks like a session." Stop, just let it go...
  • 247 5
 Hey Buzz Killington, do you need a snickers? Because you're a real bitch when you're hungry.
  • 66 8
 goat say when i saw it, my first thought was kona operator carbon
  • 7 108
flag freeridechaffster (Feb 15, 2014 at 1:05) (Below Threshold)
 i don't see why all these fake companeis build knock off bikes but just change the wheel size so they don't mess with treks patent. Fuck these chinese knockoffs! all i want is a rad dh rig with the proper tire size!
  • 154 8
 Step 23. Choose your favourite wheel size, now be a dick about it.


Or alternatively just, grow up/ wise up/ or shut up
  • 31 2
 It's more the fact that the option is being taken away to choose 26 in a lot of cases. The good thing is there's next to no difference in size when tyres are fitted so even if we did have to go 650b you won't really notice a difference. I don't see with how little difference there is between sizes that there's a point in changing to 650b, even if there is this advantage, if all the guys at wc level change to 650b it will be right back to where it was before.....
  • 9 1
 That SHOCK!
  • 6 22
flag zer0c00l44 (Feb 15, 2014 at 4:57) (Below Threshold)
 Buzz Killington, thats some funny shit. That looks sweet but just a rebadged Kona Operator carbon.
  • 12 3
 CHECK OUT GEORGE BRANIGANS INSTAGRAM HE HAD HIS BIKE UP HOURS BEFORE THIS ONE..............SORRY FOR CAPS MY PHONES PLAYING UP :-|
  • 11 1
 This is the first time I've since positive props for that comment in years!
  • 14 4
 Brands take away options to buy another wheel size because that size ISN'T selling enough to justify producing it. That's the only reason they do it. Not just to get a rise out of folks here. Get over yourselves people.
  • 99 5
 I would like to point out the every bike people here ride has technology that is an advancement from an earlier design that was marketed as the "next best thing" before. I have been cycling for over 30 years, and each new advancement is met by whiners who say the old stuff is good enough, and its just a money grab. Turner cycles says he has 26" frames in stock but they don't sell. He also says he will make more if people but them, but they aren't buying them. If you aren't riding a penny farthing, or klunker STFU!!! You are just stuck on the stage of development you entered this game in. For all you guys who said 9 speed is good enough, there were people saying 8 speed is good enough, and before them it was 7 speed is good enough. Cantilever brakes were good enough before v brakes were good enough, before cable disks were good enough, before hydraulic brakes. 2.1" tires were good enough too. Threadless stems were going to fail you know, they would all slip and cause massive injuries. Suspension was for dentists who didn't have enough skill to ride a rigid bike. Its just marketing you know. I could go on, but you get the point.
  • 10 1
 Well put Willie1.
For me - and neg. prop and mock away - there was a definite turning point in how much I enjoyed mountain biking when I knew my brakes would stop me, I could click right to the next gear, I wouldn't be beat to a pulp by a rigid fork. Oh, and my tires were big enough and sticky enough to offer reliable traction. It was in '99 on a Schwinn Homegrown HT…bass boat green paint for those old enough to remember those bikes.
  • 5 0
 Willie1: excellent point. I remember the switch from elastomers to coils and a bike shop employee claiming that coils don't work on bikes or else we would have seen it already. When I inquired about the "new" V brakes, he claimed that the "new" stronger brakes have only power and no modulation so stick with the canti's. The same claim was made with discs on road bikes: "you're just going to lock up." The opposite is now known to be true.
  • 14 5
 Ride whatever wheel size you want, but don't pretend that making a wheel bigger or smaller counts as a technological advancement.
  • 9 29
flag Nickkarnes (Feb 15, 2014 at 8:56) (Below Threshold)
 Can we please stop with this whole 26, 27.5, and 29 controversy, my opinion is if it's not broke, don't fix it. The 26 inch has worked just fine for decades, there's no reason to change it.
  • 21 2
 You're right! People were doing just fine in the 90's with downhill hardtails, why not just revert back and keep it that way? Screw progression!
  • 8 6
 Willie, I want to agree with you but all those things you mentioned were legitimate advancements. The 27" wheel is such a microscopic advancement compared to the massive marketing hype behind it. I think a lot of people are just calling BS. I can convert to 27" by putting high volume tires on my bike.
  • 8 2
 leftCoastBurn…sure you could but a 26" diameter tire that is that large is going to weigh a ton. Literally a few hundred grams extra of rotating, unsprung weight.
  • 5 7
 Looks like a Kona
  • 6 0
 I figure'd it'd be funnier to say "Looks like a KHS" since they've had a 650b DH bike for some time now . . .
  • 16 1
 @leftcoastbum
25mm(ERD) is not microscopic- no matter if you are a nuclear chemist or a kintergarder.
AND:
A 2.5" tire adds the same to 26' rims as it does to 27.5" rims.
All the art majors on PB...
  • 6 2
 If 25mm were microscopic then you should stop riding 200mm travel bikes and go down to 180mm! Also I'm amazed at the number of people crying 26in for life who have NEVER even tried 650b! I bought myself a 650b front wheel last summer and guess what I like it! And yeah 25mm does make a difference! Not a HUGE difference like going from a hardtail to fullsuspension but it does make a difference!
  • 3 1
 Cam Cole must not have got the memo. You guys better jump over to that article where you are conspicuously absent and give him a heads up that's he's choosing to ride outdated and inferior 'technology'.
  • 4 8
flag beanbelly (Feb 15, 2014 at 11:33) (Below Threshold)
 All this talk of wheel size has just burned one question into my mind, neg prop away and make fun if me all you want im relatively new to the real cyciling world so i may have missed this if they did try it but...... Why don't they experiment with road bike wheel sizes too? Like I honestly think a 29er road bike would rape the Tour de France, honestly like it would destroy, you could put a guy from the back of the quails who rode a 26 during said qualifiers and put him on a 29er for the finals and i bet he'd be in the front of the pack come finish time!
  • 9 3
 Road bikes use 700c wheels which is 29".......
  • 11 4
 They do?!?? Wow now i feel so ignorant... Sorry for my idioticness guys
  • 2 0
 Don't know bout anyone else but I think that's the sexiest color I've ever seen... That bike looks sick as hell!
  • 1 0
 ^Check out the new session 88, pretty sexy too
  • 1 0
 31.5" road bikes for 2016. Sorry but I don't see it happening as most road bikes have a 400-415mm chainstay so you can't get a bigger wheel in there without coming up with a new design for the bb. Tho I think you can get smaller 650c wheels on girly little road bikes.
  • 4 4
 Kramster, Moot point. Cam Cole is not choosing to ride anything. Sponsored athletes dont get a chioce. Their job is not winning races, it's selling bikes.
  • 14 1
 If 26" wheels are straight and 29ers are gay, does that make 650B's bi-curious?
  • 1 4
 Yes..... Yes it does...
  • 2 1
 Dirty sixer 36" wheel road bikes are what I'm waiting for.
  • 3 1
 Branningan took the win!
Elite Men
1st:George Brannigan (Havelock North, Trek World Racing) 3:01:40
2nd:Sam Blenkinsop (Wanganui, Lapierre International) 3:02:00
3rd:Nick Beer (Switzerland) 3:04:26,
4th:Rupert Chapman (Christchurch) 3:06:50
5th:Brook MacDonald (Hawkes Bay, Trek World Racing) 3:06:51
  • 1 1
 Road bike wheels are 700C which are the same as 29in but they aren't the same diameter because they use smaller tires. So roadbike wheeḷ+tire actually come out around 26in. So to get a real 29in road bike wheel you'd have to use even bigger rims something like a 700A or a 700B rim.
  • 2 1
 There are three main sizes used in road bike, 700c, 650b, and 650c. Some guys use 26" on children's road bikes. People use the correct size for the correct application and no one complains. BMX has 4 sizes. No one complains about that either.

sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
  • 3 4
 @scott-townes , Haha, Rather than bi-curious it's more metro sexual. Metro guys are really in tune with their excessive shopping. Having a excuse to go shopping and buy a new bike because the one at home is not 650b is what it's all about. You gotta be in with the trends to be considered a metro. So you gotta have a 650b not for the sake of riding it, but for the thrill of "shopping".
  • 3 1
 Sounds like you really like the guys^
  • 1 2
 Exactly. Its just a wheel size. Dont impede on what everybody else is trying to develop. You can stay where you are unaffected by all of this. Seriously the fan-girling of wheel sizes is tearing the MTB community up more than would the bmx per se. Lets settle our differences. Because at the end of the day, we're all Mountian bikers. Lets put our devotion torwards something other than ourselves. (AHEM roadies)
  • 96 15
 I'm going to hold out for 28.25"
  • 8 18
flag siderealwall2 (Feb 14, 2014 at 23:19) (Below Threshold)
 NO all about 26.75
  • 52 5
 Let me know when 36" are trendy
  • 5 0
 www.cokercycles.com/monster-crusier
  • 14 6
 Sad part is 26x2.5 is already about 27.25-27.5 diameter, so... this is 28.25.
  • 5 2
 on the outside of the tire...?
  • 8 4
 Yes. The outside of your rim is 26, then you can factor in the height of the sidewall and tread pattern, which varies between tire manufacturers, models, and widths.
  • 20 5
 @R-trailking-S - seriously, every time some say that I wanna Patrick Stewart facepalm myself. 26x2.5 is prolly about that same size as a 27.5x2.1. Good comparison sunshine. Yup a 2.1 is gonna grip like a 2.5 regardless of rim size, yup yup, Mong DURR!!
Do you decry every one running tires bigger than 2.1 cos we didn't run those stupid big tires back in the bad old days, Smokes and Farmer Johns for life y'all. Hand back your suspension, your disk brakes, your lock on grips, and your moto shorts, cos progress is bad.
Lets all roll Model T's to the races and pull our penny farthings off the racks and go carve some berms and rail some roots
  • 5 2
 FWIW I was just trying to clarify for siderealwall that the diameter of a tire on a 26" bike is indeed larger than 26"

I am indifferent to all this wheelsize hooplah. I ride a 26" DW DHR and am currently building a 26" Iron Horse 6 point(with flat pedals too...gasp) as my trail bike. I've never ridden any of the bigger wheel sizes but don't feel the need to either. I have fun on my 26s and I'm sure I would have fun on the bigger sizes. The majority of the world cup circuit is privateers, and I imagine the majority will remain on 26. The well funded teams and factory teams will run whatever they feel suits the particular course they are racing that weekend.
  • 5 0
 semi-rad.com/2014/02/announcing-a-revolutionary-new-mtb-wheel-size
  • 4 1
 @csermonet - just over 22" actually
  • 5 1
 @csermonet So, let me take the facts that you quoted (which are true) and spin them around on you a bit: an EXO ardent 26x2.4 weighs 825g. an EXO ardent 27.5x2.25 weighs 715g, but (from my experience) will grip like the 26x2.4. Now, what's the one place that always feels better lighter? rim and tire, because of the rotating mass. so going to 27.5 is like a free pass to run a lighter tire, because of the bigger contact patch. Now, add the fact that increase in distance from the axles to ground frees up the frame designer to set up the BB height to be lower the axles, ( most 26" MTB are designed with zero BB drop, or some BB rise, in order get a reasonable BB height)and you get even more traction, because moving your weight lower than the axles increases how well your weight transfers to the tire contact patch. What people are not quite understanding is that yes, 27.5 isn't a huge change. However, compared to an average person's body size, a full suspension 26" isn't WAAAYY too small, but it is slightly too small to take advantage of some pretty large improvements in bike design. and this is from someone who rides a 24" DJ, and who also rocks flat pedals on all his bikes.
  • 1 0
 @dgm1
26x2.5 is 27.2in (690mm) in diameter
650b x 2.5 is 28.1in (715mm) in diameter
so you'll get your wish when they start making 650b x 2.7 tires...
  • 1 0
 They made nevegals over 2.5 if only they had them 650
  • 4 1
 @csermonet better recheck your measurements. If someone sold you a bike under the guise that it's a 26" bike but the rim is truly 26" in diameter, you've been burned. You're riding a wagonwheel bike on the trails... Ha ha.

A 26" wheel is nowhere near 26" in diameter.
  • 43 1
 Aaaaand cue the crying over wheel size..
  • 5 3
 slcwhblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/twilightfangirl1.jpg
  • 9 0
 Pinkbike feeds the trolls on the daily.
  • 3 1
 DARKSTAR63, don't forget to wipe your mouth when you're done feasting.
  • 2 0
 Im not touching this one lol, 650b Session doesn't surprise me one bit.
  • 15 0
 I tried 650b once. Didn't like it. Then I tried 27.5 and it changed my life.
  • 1 0
 Haha --AllMountin-- that says it all
  • 30 0
 I'm more interested in the fact that Bulldog is running clips.
  • 3 0
 That !
  • 5 2
 I'm curious about that shitty paint job
  • 2 0
 This. Way more interesting.
  • 1 2
 lmao good stuff - but yea it's a Trek Session 26" frame tweaked to allow it to work with 27.5" wheels - not much hype on the DH end other than using it where applicable - whereas having a 26" Frame is always applicable in every DH event. It has it's advantages yes, but if I'm riding DH or FR and I'm gapping some big hits I'd rather have the natural feel and clearance with a 26" than gain a little more speed on the flats and possibly have jumping issues on top of being more bike.
  • 1 0
 Bulldog has been running clips on and off for the last year on tracks where he feels they are better suited than flats. He's a pro and doing what he thinks needs to be done to win.
  • 2 2
 @ saint4life. of course its a session frame thats been tweaked for 650b wheels. what article did u think you clicked on? Some pros that rode 26" and 650b on the same track, back to back, saw a big time difference, like seconds worth of time; which on the WC scene is a lifetime. I for one am excited about the 650 session. Trek has said NOTHING about switching to the new wheels size permanently, so you can continue to shred on your 26" wheel feeling comfortable while the 650b is waiting for you at the bottom. BRO DO YOU EVEN SCIENCE? the 650 WILL roll faster, it WILL go over roots, rocks etc faster. it seems to me that it would be worth getting out of your comfort zone and learning how to jump the new wheel size for more speed and better time. Best part about the wheel size debate? its all your own opinion and you can do whatever makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
  • 3 0
 @dhiller661 you must be one of those unnoticed and unknown world cup class rider from that other poll! For 99% of the riders, the change from 650 to 650b won't be noticed at all. Heavier wheels, tyres, for almost the same characteristics, and so far, the only gain I've seen is with pro riders from EXS or major enduro leagues, gaining 2-3s for a 3min course. I'm not sure this is for the average joe.

Now I'm not stopping anyone from buying them, most of the people buying them at the moment is for fear of not being able to resell their bike in a couple of years...
  • 26 2
 I'm ok with this.
  • 9 3
 And that's what matters. Good on ya mate
  • 1 2
 well that makes 2 of us...
  • 1 0
 Yah I'd rock it.
  • 12 3
 Am I the only one around that will only buy 26 ONLY due to the fact of I have stock piles of parts and that's what all my other bikes are. I don't feel like buying 3 different tire sizes and tube and wheels are too damned expensive to have to buy when I have a bunch around
  • 7 6
 You are one of the few hundred remaining. Not the ONLY one, but its getting close.
  • 15 2
 Enjoy all the marked down 26er items online.
  • 2 0
 Wanna buy my 26" RM Element MSL...? It's an XL. No one else seems to want it...
  • 1 0
 If it were a large I would definitely consider it I'm looking for a full susp. All mountain / xc bike
  • 22 14
 I've already ridden the Session 650b and the Demo 650b and every other 650b bike that was at the demo day that everyone is always talking about. I'm pretty sure 26 is also a wheel size that people enjoy and 29 is also a popular wheel size. But remember, I've ridden like 11 bikes, so I know everything. And you should probably keep with the 24" rear wheel BigHit sitting in your basement that you still ride because you've ruined so many computers talking about wheel sizes that you haven't been able to afford a new bike since the mid 2000's.
  • 20 10
 You've ridden 11 bikes, so you know everything... You're a genius.
  • 59 3
 11 bikes plus your mom... 650DD
  • 4 1
 You what?
  • 2 2
 Oh no he didn't - SNAP!
  • 1 0
 ebehn, that made me lol so hard I woke up my girlfriend!
  • 8 2
 My very existence is threatened. OK - not. Last year there were many WC DHers running many 650b bikes. This year, there will be more. As soon as someone wins on one (La Pierre guys were close last year), the transition will be pretty much complete. Supply and demand will rule the day. Too hard to keep designing and building frames and supplying components for three wheel sizes, especially if no one is buying one of the sizes.

Get over it peeps. Ride what you've got until you need a new bike. Then buy what you want from whatever's available. Your whining isn't going to stop the market dynamics. Have fun! (BTW, I bought two Knolly 26ers last year, so I should feel threatened by the 650b juggernaut - but my bikes are fun, so I don't care. When it's time to replace them, I'll choose from what's available and I will enjoy it).
  • 1 0
 Steve Smith won some extra races on 650b, but not a world cup event. Pretty much guaranteed it'll happen this year.
  • 5 0
 I reckon conv3rt has it bang on. Bikes are all fun, I enjoy getting the back end out on a supermarket trolley to be totally honest. Although most could do with 7.5" wheels instead of 6.75" wheels for a bit of extra stability at high speed. Supermarkets have changed man, some of them are very long these days, the trolleys should change accordingly. Thanks for reading my nonsense. Smile
  • 5 0
 What people don't understand is that this bike is not a prototype... It's made from Carbon, which means this will be available soon. A company won't invest in carbon molds if they bike inst going to see production. 27.5 is here to stay.
  • 3 2
 Or it's a modifyed 26 version with big wheels. Only the rocker and the fork have to change.
  • 9 5
 Intense was first! At least it's not a 29er..I've ridden a 951 evo a decent amount and I own a 26" 951. 26 all day. Yea the chunky is a tad smoother with big wheels but it just isn't quite as nimble. I wonder what the head angle is on this guy.
  • 3 6
 I agree. Intense had an eye on 27.5 from the start
  • 8 1
 KHS actually had a 650b before intense.
  • 4 5
 Didn't the pb review of a 26 /27.5 head to head on a 951 show the 27.5 quicker, for the race boys surely that's all that matters
  • 2 5
 Yep. The 27.5 has properties of both 26 and 29. But doesn't have the drawback of being too big that it can't get around tight switchbacks like a 29er etc. I think my next bike will be 650b, especially if they make a 650b Nomad.
  • 7 3
 @Sewer Rat that was an arse of a test, there were so many flaws in it. The 650b version which they said was more stable could have been put down to the fact it had a 2 degree slacker head angle than the 26" bike. The fact it was faster rolling could be put down to the 650b having lightweight hans dampf tyres (roll very fast) compared to dual ply minions on the 26", the rims on the 26 were heavier models than the 650b had. Also the larger bike had dorados whilst the 26er had 40s two very different feeling forks. So how could there possibly have been a valid comparison made.
  • 4 7
 @ Euan, first off chill out!!
Second it was an observation I remember the review vaguely which I thought I pointed out in my original statement!
Yes there may of been holes in it but surely every other review / comparison has shown advantages of the wheel size, at the end of the day it's only you who can decide if it's right- but ultimately if it's quicker down the hill teams will run it
  • 7 3
 Was chatting to a local racer last week. Had been timing himself on one of our best and fastest local tracks and stayed on the same second for months. Now is riding a proto 650B and took 3 seconds off 1st day riding it. He admitted he was against the idea of 650, and when the company told him they were making a 650 DH bike was worried that he would have to modify it to run 26's. Once he saw the time he was sold on it. I think the tide's are turning. I'll be staying 26 for the forseeable future due to not having money falling out of my pockets for new bikes and being happy with 26.
  • 5 0
 Let me do the math here ... if I can save 3 seconds per run ... and I average 10 runs per day on A-Line ... I can now get to the pub 30 seconds earlier and therefore grab a cold beer that much sooner!
  • 2 2
 New rule : run any wheelsize of your choosing, but you must run it all season, every race!
  • 8 3
 What size is that bike stand holding the bike? Is it downhill specific? Is there an enduro version? (I gotta keep up with the trends, but jeez it's getting tough....)
  • 3 0
 It's time to stop crying about wheel size. Seriously. When your MTB heroes use something you abhor, maybe it's time to rethink your position. And for the big wheel fanboys, keep in mind they haven't won a damn thing yet, except for Sea Otter's kind-of-steep XC course. Let the top of the sport push the envelope, as money and skill tends to do in any sport, and ride whatever you want in the meantime.
  • 5 0
 I like Trek's new devotion to 650b. It's even funnier because they used to say that 26" and 29" were the only wheel sizes that you needed.
  • 5 0
 I can't be the only one who's scrolling down the comments just to see what didn't make the threshold....
  • 2 0
 As far as I am concerned wheel size is a sales gimmick. But if you have the $ and it gets you out riding I could careless what you ride. I love these advancements. Though. They make it possible to pick up $4000 practically new bikes for 500 bucks. Keep pumping them out and telling us 26 inch wheels are old news. See you in the for sale forums.
  • 8 2
 Verrry niicee (borat voice)
  • 9 2
 Im scared...
  • 2 0
 And I know it's nothing new, but isn't it cool how we can all look at this picture in our respective parts of the world and then all jump in and have a banter about it. And when we disagree with someone (yes this is a reminder to myself too) we should just see them as that kooky mate that im sure we've all had, and ridden with regardless, with the crazy ideas about bikes. Unless they're actually changing your bike in accordance with their madness (which is only a perception in your head anyway) then they remain just ideas. Crazy ones at that. Point in case, if they make 36" wheels some nutcase will buy them and turn up at the trails singing their praises. Smile, wish them luck and then watch in amazement as they over shoot a turn... plough through the off piste and pop out the other side unphased lol. Much to your dismay, as the cognitive dissonance about your choice of wheels kicks in hard lol.
  • 3 1
 @freeridechaffster trek isn't a fake bike brand. they make some of the best mountain bikes in the world right now. do you think guys like brook, brandon, and guys like that want to be sponsored by a fake bike brand? no they don't that is why they are at trek
  • 4 1
 Half you kids are living in a false reality.

Change is the only constant in life.

You don't like 27.5" or 29" ? Good - you live in your little security bubble, whilst I take the advantage of evolution.
  • 2 0
 Nice fork bumpers! these look a lot more sturdy. Glad they changed that, mine break after a few months after a few chrashes, its annoying as hell :/

ps: firstworldproblems Big Grin
  • 3 0
 Now I know why my overall fitness on a bike is so terrible - not my lifestyle, it's my wheel size. It appears I NEED one of these ...
  • 1 0
 Factory teams use new stuff so people would eventually buy them, but they need to win races first or else they won't be sought by the buying public. No matter what they use, they won't win races if they don't have good riders. Give a good rider a clunker and he would still win, more or less.
  • 1 0
 There is a suggestion here that bike companies are bullying us into buying certain things. Remember, the consumer is in charge, period. If we don't buy their shit, they won't make it. Simple. Here's a question, if a 24inch bmx is no longer a bmx, but a cruiser, then is a 29er still a mountain bike? Or is it something else?
  • 3 0
 I'm going to be racing on a penny farthing this year, best of both worlds. I hear that they're 'enduro specific' now, too...
  • 1 0
 Give me that 650b to test it. I cant stand the constant bullshitting the wheel size. Its not cool to all major bike brands are forgetting 26 inches. Its discrimination and its bulling riderd to transfer to bigger wheels.
  • 3 0
 we are all useless, arguing about wheels sizes,do we really don't have nothing better to do?
  • 1 0
 We could debate bmx vs. dirtjump
  • 6 0
 No, pick a wheel size and be a dick about it
  • 2 0
 It will be more interesting to see what SpecialEd does, since they are the one major company completely ignoring 650b…mostly because they are so committed to 29ers.
  • 1 1
 29in demo?
  • 1 0
 Specialized is carrying 650B tires now. You can figure out what that means.
  • 2 0
 Which models? I don't see them on the site...not that I would buy them. Not a fan of how they operate. More curious to how they spin the marketing...and if they try to patent and sue.
  • 1 0
 Don't know man, I just work at a Speshy dealer and word from the brand rep is that we'll see them soon.
  • 2 1
 it's all about this shitty world cup tracks - bring shladming champery maribor pila back and everyone would stay with 26. I;m sure they are change this real dh tracks for some reason $$$. That is all...
  • 4 1
 Have you ridden Champery? And have you ridden Champery on 650b? Cause if you did you'd be saying the reverse...650b's strong point is that it is better on the rough stuff! Come over to Champery this summer and I'll show you what I'm on about...
  • 2 0
 Looks rad. Shut up about the wheel size. Mountain bikes are sick in general. If you dont like it, dont ride it or look at it.
  • 1 0
 Make it affordable, and I'll ride it. I've got a norco range for a demo this weekend, and find it great. I know It's not a dh, but I didn't have issues with wheel size. Would like to try a 650b dh.
  • 4 1
 Anyone know what shock that is?
  • 1 0
 looks very interest this shock, I think its the prototype FOX RAD!
  • 1 1
 The shaft looks really thin, almost like the ccdbc.
  • 1 0
 It defo says 'RAD' on it.
  • 1 0
 The article says it's a RAD.
  • 1 1
 yeah, it looks so rad Big Grin
  • 11 8
 The slow death is progressing.
  • 5 3
 Depends which way you look at it, some could say that evolution is progressing and not actually judge until they've ridden it
  • 3 6
 I must admit, at first I was sceptical of bigger wheels on anything. Then at a bike show a tried a trek fuel 29er. I rather enjoyed it even though the course was flat and had a few berms and humps. I still wasn't convinced on dh bikes with bigger wheels but actually, after seeing the results of the lapierre team last year and then looking ing at the results of a very wet and muddy local dh race where Danny hart rode in two cats (one with a 26er and one on 650B) he crashed twice with the 26er and not on the 650B. This could of course be coincidence but I defo think it has something going for it.
  • 4 1
 Don't forget the race Stevie smith fell on a 27.5 and most everyone on 26 didn't.
  • 1 1
 There may have been no link whatsoever between harts two sets of runs but I just thought it was interesting.
  • 2 0
 www.pinkbike.com/news/Results-New-Zealand-DH-Nationals-2014.html

Top 3 running 650b! Surely that says something
  • 2 0
 I like that frame, but I hope it doesn't break like last trek session frames....
  • 1 0
 I absolutely love how spun up folks get over wheel size! I wish I could read all the comments, but few people have that kind of time on their hands.
  • 1 0
 Fact is it looks like a Turner Burner which when on to be a Kona, does anyone on this site know anything about history and the bikes that started it all off ?
  • 1 2
 Ok at the risk of neg props I dont see the problem with 27.5if it makes the pros go faster in the DH W/C then im all for it ok I may ride 24 and 26 inch wheels but i wouldn't rule out a 27.5 just not a poncey show off 29er
  • 3 1
 finally! a 650b downhill bike.
  • 1 0
 How often do the the bearings in the rear wheel [for the swing] need replacing?
  • 7 4
 looks delicious
  • 4 3
 Agreed. Great looking bike.
  • 1 0
 On with the onslaught of this tired wheel size debate. It's all about fun. If it's fun - ride it!
  • 2 3
 I think there is so much that has been done on mountain bike this last few years that the wheel size was the last thing they could change on a bike, but man ! how much I hate does 29ers and 650b's Frown
  • 2 1
 Actually, taletotell, being a race bike - what matters is if it's faster from the start to the finish line.
  • 1 2
 650B is a friend not an enemy. 650B will kill 29er for us. 650B seems like a good compromise to me, and I could see myself abandoning 26" wheels if I were buying a new complete build.
  • 2 0
 Let me guess? It rides like a 26" wheel size...
  • 1 0
 Why dont they sell production bikes in colors like these? The color shift would look so cool paired with raw carbon
  • 2 0
 The only 650B DH Bike i'd buy… lol Big Grin
  • 1 0
 26ers for life! You mean 24ers for life as they measure 24" in diameter. Haha.
  • 1 0
 Will this bike fit a person that's 4 feet tall? What are you doing to address this issue?
  • 1 0
 Now i understand ! the Prototype 650B is the name of the new color
  • 1 0
 why everyone brings trek? damn!
  • 2 1
 why can't we just keep to 26 inch downhill bikes?
  • 3 0
 Pinkbike users to bike manufacturers: "Only make 26" stuff, and make it CHEAP or I won't buy it."

The rest of the cycling world: "I test rode that 650b carbon bike with carbon wheels. Wow it rides great. I'll take two- one for me and one for my wife!"

Who do you think they are responding to? I'll even give you the answer: both of you, because money keeps them in business!
  • 3 1
 That color is the ish...
  • 1 0
 are those clipped pedals too for Brook?
  • 2 0
 he's on the click pedals bro
  • 2 1
 ah no, they would be the "click" pedals
  • 1 0
 But are they mallet dh's or the proto burgtec clips that they showed a teaser of last week?
  • 2 1
 So many cliche comments here! All of the same wheel size garbage.
  • 1 0
 it's a bike. you're supposed to ride it on dirt and stuff. moving on….
  • 2 1
 I just hope this dosent become their flagship dh bike
  • 2 1
 Please send lots pf $$ to my Paypal, i got a bike to buy
  • 2 0
 Look like a Trek Wagon
  • 2 1
 exuce me while i jizz my pants and flood the world
  • 6 5
 Looks like a kona
  • 2 2
 no man, looks like a norco
  • 2 6
flag jaybird951 (Feb 15, 2014 at 1:23) (Below Threshold)
 looks like chrap!
  • 4 4
 Screw your xc and your 650b
  • 2 3
 Whats next 32's?
26 is perfect and if we keep f*cking with it we are going to ruin dh/fr mtb
  • 1 2
 it's funny how everything is now looking more and more like a kona. so over anything from trek. very generic company.
  • 1 0
 holy shit. looks sick!
  • 1 0
 Screw 27.5'a
  • 2 2
 Brannigan and Blenki are both on 650 bikes also.
  • 1 0
 and nick beer...
  • 1 0
 was hunua last week and I could see why nick won.fuckn animal to the line
  • 3 3
 Looks like a trek session.
  • 2 1
 look like a kona
  • 1 0
 wow lovely
  • 1 1
 Never heard of him, is he related to Ronald MacDonald by any chance???
  • 2 1
 looks like shit
  • 1 0
 why ?
  • 1 1
 Where's 24" version?
  • 6 7
 Manufacturers: we are fed up with their 650B shit
  • 2 2
 "we"? you mean "you"
  • 1 0
 "nous en avons assez" : marketing, consumer society, especially new commercial standard, i think
  • 1 2
 get the DHers‘ then others will follow
  • 1 1
 Looks like a KHS.
  • 6 7
 Looks like a Kona
  • 2 5
 exactly what I thought
  • 6 8
 I am waiting for the 26.52572633628 in wheel size
  • 3 9
flag Cusalabanjura (Feb 15, 2014 at 0:01) (Below Threshold)
 me too! the new 29.9965577474747 look good though
  • 4 1
 Lack of understanding of wheel sizes evident. None of these "new" sizes are new. 650b has been around for decades. Its just now reached the north American market.
  • 2 0
 Actually Willie, Kirk Pacenti has been making 650b wheels, tires, and frames for a lot longer than the recent surge in interest in 650b in the US suggests.
  • 2 0
 26.52572633628in already exists it's called a 26x2.1 XC tire...
  • 1 0
 I'm aware of Pacenti, I have been riding 650b for three years already.
  • 1 3
 Looks like a Vanilla
  • 2 4
 ew ew ew ew
  • 4 7
 Yuck keep it 26
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