Recently I have been browsing suspension forks for a build I am working on (27.5" Hardtail). I have noticed that suspension brands, primarily RockShox and Fox, are phasing out the 27.5" suspension fork. I was curious what people think about that.
On one hand, with the recent popularity of the 27.5+" tires (I believe these necessitate the same or very close clearances to 29" tires), it makes sense the suspension manufacturers would try to slim down the line up to increase profit. However, when working on designing frames, the 27.5" forks have a shorter axel-crown measurement, which in my experience seems to allow for a steeper head tube angle.
I am also curious if you all are choosing 29" forks more regularly in order to give customers the 27.5+" tire option, or if you would prefer a regular 27.5" tire on the frames you design. Thanks for reading and I appreciate any responses!
Iāve seen no indication that RockShox are phasing out 27.5" forks.
Having a look now at whatās available and there are plenty of 27.5" options with travel from 80mm to 200mm across the range - Judy, Recon, Psylo, Reba, Domain, Pike, Lyrik, ZEB and even BOXXER.
And I donāt think that will change anytime soon as I can see updated models still under embargo with release dates well into 2025.
On second look, I notice it more with Fox than RockShox. I might have just been seeing past yearās models on sale, which probably had me feeding into that.
Foxās factory series in 36+ diameter does seem a little light on the 27.5ās though.
I imagine this is a hot take, and im an outlier, but I honestly wouldnāt bat an eyelid if the 27.5" wheel size disappeared entirely.
I suppose I do remember very occasionally feeling limited when drawing a bike, by the fork length, and the length of steerer-taper giving me a minimum front end height (before stem/bar drop) . but so-far its never been enough for me to consider reducing the wheel size.
I can see for most mountain riding how this mindset could apply. Anything technical and fast I love 29" wheels on. For pump track/modern dirt jumpers, some gravel cycling, and smaller riders I still see a use case.
I do agree that for a large portion of the market shouldnāt really consider 27.5" for anything āall mountainā but niche cases still do have a reason for it to live on.
I donāt think 27.5 is going away, but I do think the selection of āperformanceā forks for 27.5 will wane. Mullet seems to be the flavour of the year.
However, I donāt think I want a wheel bigger than 27.5 on the rear of my personal MTB, and Iām a reasonably sized man. Coercing even shorter riders to go full 29 comes with a performance disadvantage in challenging DH terrain IMHO. Everyone bar a select few have gone back to 27.5 rear wheels in the DH WC.
yeah I was sorta waiting for this to come up, and its definitely not a hill Iām going to die on, I acknowledged mine was a hot take and I stand by that; not necessarily a correct one. Many people, most of them almost definitely smarter, faster, more skilled, more important, and/or more open minded than me definitely still want other wheel sizes, especially setup as you note, the mullet thing.
Im an aestheticist, be it one who lives in a fantasy world, and the riding I love most just speaks to me on 29ā wheels better than anything else iāve ever ridden. the other riding can get in the lake.
Honestly, when I was ādesigningā this, I didnāt know what I wanted it to do but all the cool guys at rampage that year were on 27.5/26 bikes and Iām a cool guy, right? Right? Anywayā¦
My original thought was the little rear wheel would be easier to corner and get in the air in a strictly park setting. I liked it with the 27.5 front, I frickin love it with the 29er. I put that fork on kind of as a joke but itās sooooo good Iām thinking about building the new one around this wheel combo.
Iāve riden this setup and the full 29er trail bike back to back weekends at the park on the same trails and the 96er just feels so good. The small wheel pedals up faster than the 29 rear does and it pushes the 29 front over stuff really easily, when I just lose momentum in a weird spot, itās easier to get moving again pushing the small wheel. Then, as soon as you start to roll, it gathers speed like a 29er, itās noticeably faster overall. It really feels like the front wagon wheel literally drags the rest of the bike with it, itās a really interesting sensation.
Even though the BB is quite a bit higher on the 96 it feels much more planted. I can really push it into berms and lean it over harder than the full 29er will let me. Iāve never been able to shralp or do little back wheel āskrrtsā but this does it easily, snap the front and give a little hip twist and itās loose. Itās easier to toss sideways over little jumps, Iām doing the babiest of bar turns and whips over every damn thing now. But I was doing none of them before. It feels like itās easier to get back into control when shit goes pear shaped too. Also worth noting that I made probably 150 laps with the 26/27.5 setup, I tensioned/trued the 26er a couple months ago and it was cherry. Iāve had it out with the 29er fork on it twice and beat 3 spokes out of the rear wheel. Faster. Much.
Sorry for the encyclopedia, but Iāve been wanting to report back on how this setup was working.
Thanks for giving me the excuse.
Iāve ridden full 29 and itās fine and fun, but I just hate getting tyred up the gooch. Even with a 27.5 a flat ground manual can result in close encounters of the ball kind. Stronger wheels are a nice bonus.
On an XC bike sure, wagon wheels. But even on a hardtail trail bike I like enjoyed the free space to move.
I will admit that the only time I wish for more diameter is when riding with mates on flat chattery trails when theyāre rolling 29. But as soon as things get fun itās all a wash anyway ĀÆ_(ć)_/ĀÆ
Honestly, when I was ādesigningā this, I didnāt know what I wanted it to do but all the cool guys at rampage that year were on 27.5/26 bikes and Iām a cool guy, right? Right? Anywayā¦