Modern 26" wheel frames?

[gradeAfailure]

Re:

None of the bikes listed have properly "modern" geometry - for that you're looking at 65-64° head angle, 75°+ seat angle, long reach/ETT, and so on. Won't find those numbers on anything 26" unless you have it made for you.

 

[d8mok]

Re:

On one456 summerseason ?

I sold one last month and that’s nearest I can think of.

 

[RickTheUncivil]

Having tried a few friends bikes recently, they just seem to handle better and be a little more comfortable than my 95 parkpre elite...

so did these more modern bikes also have the larger wheels?

Not saying the modern frame with 'normal' size wheels won't be good, the above comments suggest some viable options.
I messed about sticking 27.5 and 29 wheels in my 26 frame, felt quite different.
I wonder whether you might be better served getting a modern geometry frame with the bigger wheels too if it felt 'better' for riding?

 

[Matthews]

Re:

Mk2 Cotic Soul or if you want bang up to date the Cotic BFE , yes they make a brand new 26 version , 31.6 seatpost and adapter for bottom headset bearing if using straight forks though but you can fit them , bang up to date geometry and 160 fork length .

 

[greencat]

Re: Re:

None of the bikes listed have properly "modern" geometry - for that you're looking at 65-64° head angle, 75°+ seat angle, long reach/ETT, and so on. Won't find those numbers on anything 26" unless you have it made for you.

I agree with this. Frame geometry has changed a lot since around 2014. Would be nice if such a thing existed though as I have a ton of 26 inch to go on one. But you'd also be hamstrung by the lack of suitable 26inch forks?

 

[Madmax1993]

Re:

It's a funny old thing, the 'death' of the 26" wheel. There are almost no new bikes being made in that flavour, and no new forks (although you could just use a 650b fork and live with the extra clearance). Wheels and tyres are still around, so there will probably always be bikes with 26" wheels going around.
I still think the jump to 650b from 26" wasn't all that worthwhile, but now that it's happened, there is no point in both those sizes coexisting, because they're not that different. What I am quite excited about, is 29ers, and how much better they've gotten for all purposes. When they first came out they were spindly wagon wheels that handled like cruise ships, and now amazing enduro bikes and DH bikes have harnessed 29" wheels successfully, thanks to boost spacing and truly modern geometry. I've gone from being a skeptic to a convert when the time comes to replace my 2009 Orange Five. I think the newer generations of 29er will spell the end for 26 AND 650b, for all but the shortest riders, and even those might struggle to find a 650b that's small enough for them.
Obviously geometry has come on a lot since 2009, but the main drawback I have on my orange is not the older geo (it's a very capable trail bike) but the 27.2mm seat tube which limits my choice of dropper posts. I simply can't get one that has a long enough drop.

 

[mk one]

Re: Re:

It's a funny old thing, the 'death' of the 26" wheel. There are almost no new bikes being made in that flavour, and no new forks (although you could just use a 650b fork and live with the extra clearance). Wheels and tyres are still around, so there will probably always be bikes with 26" wheels going around.
I still think the jump to 650b from 26" wasn't all that worthwhile, but now that it's happened, there is no point in both those sizes coexisting, because they're not that different. What I am quite excited about, is 29ers, and how much better they've gotten for all purposes. When they first came out they were spindly wagon wheels that handled like cruise ships, and now amazing enduro bikes and DH bikes have harnessed 29" wheels successfully, thanks to boost spacing and truly modern geometry. I've gone from being a skeptic to a convert when the time comes to replace my 2009 Orange Five. I think the newer generations of 29er will spell the end for 26 AND 650b, for all but the shortest riders, and even those might struggle to find a 650b that's small enough for them.

just like 26" wheels were the death of 29 & 27.5" , what goes around comes around

And when you realise that the pros are running different size wheels on the same bike, again like the old days and the UCI has this year allowed it in competitions, and manufacturers make frames to accomadate the difference, and all the media tell you to buy into this so called new found 'right way' to run your bike, what then?

 

[klunkrider]

Re: Re:

there is no point in both those sizes coexisting, because they're not that different.

Have a look at the 'Tyres & Tubes' section on SJS, there are three 20" sizes, three 24" sizes, and five 26" sizes!