MacRetro chat and rides thread

[Jamiedyer]

Hello all
Not been about lately as have been quite busy this last month with non bike/family stuff. Have had the odd rides locally and checked in on the forum sporadically when I can but generally quiet.
Weathers been crap here as well which doesn't help with limited time.
Spent a long weekend away driving 600 odd miles to Staffordshire so we could take Caleb to Thomasland, yes, Thomasland. We stayed in the hotel at Drayton Manor/Thomasland in a VIP Thomas themed room, which also gave Caleb and ourselves a special breakfast with the Fat Controller. We had 2 nights and two days at the park then we were back home for the Tuesday.
The following Tuesday we were heading south to catch a plane to Germany to visit our close friends Franzi and Nils who were getting married on Friday. The first day it was hot was the Tuesday driving south, we then spent the last week in 36 to 40.5 degree heat whilst in Germany. Brilliant holiday, wedding, catching up with friends and people who are close enough to be called family. Caleb was ring bearer and all dressed in his finest kilt etc. Great wedding, several days of celebrating, swimming before heading home last monday evening to land in Edinburgh with lashing rain and 12 degrees Welcome back.
The rain hasn't stopped since so its time to man up and get back out riding in it.

Jamie

 

[RobMac]

Re:

Who rides 650b in here? I'm curious, forget what the mags or manufacturers say what's the dia of the wheel with the tyre on (ground to top/tread) :?

 

[epicyclo]

WTB Trailblazer 2.75" on 650B 52mm rim = 690mm

 

[RobMac]

Re:

2.75 is that a typo? :shock:




:mrgreen: Cheers

 

[velomaniac]

Re:

I stood my 26er beside a 27.5er a few months back. The increase in diameter is not dramatic and thus I cannot see the point. A 26er with a 3" wide tyre works out at about the same diameter but looks much more purposefull, I have a Nokian Gazzaloddi 26 x 3.0 so I know this from experience not hearsay. A 29er is still noticeably bigger and thus has much more point. The 27.5er wheel is just the latest marketing hype.

 

[RobMac]

Re:

They said that C.D. would wipe out vinyl ................ it hasn't.

 

[clubby]

Re:

Aye, but downloads swamp them both

As far as high end NEW bikes go 26" is dead. Doesn't mean tyres or rims will disappear anytime soon though. (For once) I agree with Velo, 650b isn't much of a change. It does roll better but not as well as a 29er. The main benefit (to bike companies) is its easier to design full sus bikes to fit smaller people than a 29" wheel. For hard tails 29 is still the best option.

If you need further proof, you know how big a bike tart I am and even I'm not tempted by a 650b.

 

[firedfromthecircus]

Re: Re:

If you need further proof, you know how big a bike tart I am and even I'm not tempted by a 650b.

Aye, but 650b is not aimed at guys like you who have already embraced the benefits of 29ers. Its for the square earthers who can't bring themselves to ride proper sized wheels. Oh, and short people, women and children.

I agree that 26" is dead for new high end bikes. The argument that we should have had 650b from the start is a good one. We only ended up with 26" as that is what was commonly available in America at the time. But whatever you believe the one thing for sure is the bike industry will keep finding new things to sell folk who want to spend their money.

My advice to you Rob is if you can't countenance buying a 29er then save your money. A 650b will not give you anything appreciably better than what you already have.

 

[epicyclo]

Re: Re:

2.75 is that a typo? :shock:
:mrgreen: Cheers

Yup, it should be 2.8"

 

[gmac123]

sorta regret getting my 29er just before the 650b became popular. did consider a 650b but there was very little choice on the 650b front at the time. don't get me wrong I enjoy the 29er, especially when cruising along and especially on rocky rooty trails, but it's so dammed slow and cumbersome on tight windy singletrack (or is that just the rider)

still harboring notions of a Ritchey P-650b build