The difference between 24" and 26" is pretty significant. 26" is just about midway between 24" and 29".
The difference between 26" and 650B is minimal; less than half of the difference between 24-26 or 26-29.
What that means is that most of the talk you hear about 650b is from people excited about their new toys, not about meaningful differences in performance.
So, buy what you like. You’ll be excited about your new toy.
There are a couple of other options for 24" tires. The felt birm master for one (24x3.0").
I like the 29 for jumping on trails because you can get more speed to carry you over short gaps. I think a 26 or 27.5 would be fine for what you’re looking for, but I also think a 29er would do the job for minor jumps… or major in some cases if you have a good ramp for them. : ) The 24 is going to be no lighter and will be a bit slower.
AM and DH have the same specs, except for weight. Both are 32 spoke, 27.5 (650b) x 40mm wide. What accounts for the weight difference? Their FAQ page lists the weight difference between AM & DH at 85g, while another page lists it at just 20g difference.
If the 650 is not much different than a 26 the question is more about tires I suppose. My bike shop tells me 26s are quickly on the way out, but I suspect they will be around forever in reality.
I’d say about 2020 there will be a “rediscovering the 26!” movement with everyone talking about how much more nimble and stronger the smaller wheel is. Industry only makes money when people buy new things.
Both 26" and 650b have been around forever, and 26" has had more staying power through the years. It’s used extensively throughout the world.
I’d agree that 26 will be ‘back’ at some point, however I do think they could become more limited than they already are. 27.5 is here to stay for a while and that’s where the money is for the industry, so that’s where the development will be.
So even though there’s probably little or no difference in the wheel sizes, it may be worthwhile to buy into the size if you want the latest and greatest.
Of course I see this being a far bigger deal with bikes than with unis, where the next big drive train improvement or suspension improvement will likely come on bikes spec’d with 27.5 wheels.
Awaiting the KH26 650b, but was reading the spec pages for the standard KH26 the other day and it says with the new knard it’s about a 650b. Makes me wonder. Maybe this IS the uni I want, not the up coming 650b. Then again if we start playing tire games, we can ignore listed wheel sizes and start measuring wheel diameter plus tire height.
I am not against the wheelsize and there are some exciting rims and tires out there but I just don’t think there is a large enough market to offer it alongside 26 and 29" unicycles.
That’s what I heard, in April. Trying to decide between 26 and 650b. The 26 with the Knard is about 650b, but the 650b will come with a smaller tire I assume.
Get a bigger frame worst case. Then you can also fit 27,5+ if you want. I use 26 x 2.5" for DH riding only and my 27.5 x 2.35" for XC (all the stuff that isn’t chairlift-DH haha).
I’d be tempted to try a 27,5+ for the fun of it. But it doesn’t suit all types of riding.
The difference is not big, but it’s noticable for sure. I love my 27,5", for some reason I hated 29" for Muni. Might be the tire but I’ll never know!
I’m planning to try 650b+ or almost + and this is what seems to be more or less available here in Poland. Do you have any experience with any of these tires?
Schwalbe Nobby Nic and Rocket Ron
Both available in 650bx2.8 and 3.0, but I was never tempted to use them in smaller sizes as there was always something better around.
WTB Trail Blazer x2.8, this one is tempting and for sure I can get it in a few shops here
WTB Trail Boss and Bridger, both in x3.0, but with only hint of availability
Panaracer Fat Nimble x3.5, available but said to be much smaller - more around x3 or even less
Great ride Eric let us know how the thing rides… I’m most interested in the tire. Maybe I can get one like this here.
If anybody has opinion about other 650B+ tires, please let me know here or there: The "official" Muni Tyre Review Page. For the time being I ordered WTB x2.8" but I would like to go one step bigger in some future.
let us know how the thing rides… I’m most interested in the tire. Maybe I can get one like this here.