Heathen asks out loud: Is the 26er hardtail dead?

[rollers&berms]

+1 on the stylus. I like having fun on bikes. All the 29's i've tried didn't feel as good in the turns or as playful, chalk it up to not being used to it but i'll stick with my 26s thank you very much.
That being said i'd try a 650b

[clarkee]

I hope not but I haven't been in the bike room for a couple of weeks and it might have passed away. Oh no its a Saquatch nuclear war could kill that thing.

[Couch_Surfer]

Originally Posted by Lady Gravity

hey what can i say...

here's a pic


oh and i have another steel ht as well, that i use for dj'ing when im feeling brave lol

Wow. Not just a hard tail, but a .243 to boot!
Sweet.

[TTB]

No and I won't be getting rid of mine until it dies. Might even get a new 26" hardtail frame later this year.

[zahgurim]

The only people saying 26ers are dead are the tools in the magazines marketing 29ers, and the people that buy into it.

Just wait till the 650b fad hits... lol.


I'm happy to rock my multiple 26ers in the mountains, and have no need to switch them up.
I could see *maybe* building a 29er frame up as a flatbar roadbike for touring, but that's about it.

[Lorien]

considering that the vast majority of 'mountain bikes' sold never touch dirt, 29" wheels make a lot more sense to a growing market of people looking for tough versatile bikes that are comfortable to ride.

I've seen many 'fads' over the past 3 decades of mtbing, and I think it's safe to say that 29" wheels bikes are not a fad. They may be trendy at the moment, but they address a significant desire being expressed in the market and are here to stay.

Personally, I have no reason to give up my 26" wheeled mountain bikes, since many of the benefits of the larger wheels are outweighed by their disadvantages for my individual riding style. I don't hate them, I really enjoy selling them but for my uses, my 26" wheeled hardtail is here to stay.

There are a lot of people turning to bikes these days as a way to positively address their health, and the health of our global environment. Anything that enables more people to enjoy riding bikes furthers these aims, and I'm all for it.

[Buster Bluth]

Originally Posted by slimdog

So do you own a bike now or have you?

Yes, I currently own a 26er hardtail. And it's dead to me.

But it's not dead because it's a 26er hardtail. My problem with it is a matter of geometry and materials. It's got pretty steep angles and an aluminum frame. I also now realize I would prefer something with a shorter top tube.

These are all issues that would be resolved with going with a steel 26er hardtail with a slacker head angle (say 68-degrees)...however...the logical choice for my aging bones would be to get something perhaps even more suitable for my needs like full suspension and/or 29er.

But it is down to fun and I wonder if I would have just as much "fun" on a steel 26er with better angles. I tend to think I probably would and it would save me money as I've got a lot of nice stuff I could just throw on a new frame and fork.

[Oldfart]

I think that the 26er XC race hardtail is dead or close to it. If you look at the pictures of World Cup and other pro xc races you see more 29er hardtails than other types. All mountain hardtails have always been a niche thing since decent full suspension bikes came to be. I think they will remain so. Mid to low price hardtails will probably start to see a trickle down of 29er wheels but may stay around a while.

[Heathen]

Originally Posted by boomforeal

only if you are insecure and buy into the hype/need for the biggest and bestest. if you enjoy the ride of your 26" wheel hardtail keep on keeping on i say, and enjoy the barely used and heavily discounted bits you pick up on the cheap from sheeple what can't help chasing the joneses

I can not believe that Boom and I agree on something!!!!! Is it April fools day?

Originally Posted by gwh

Only the finesse to ride them is dead.

This and end of thread.

I have been riding a 26er steel hard tail off-road since 95 and love the challenge of it. It takes real skill to make a hard tail go fast and do stunts. I only broke down and bought a fully when a road bike wipe out forced me too. And now that I am living in Alberta I sold it and built up my old Hammer fully rigid to make the trails more of a challenge. I really only ride my Cove Hand Job (135mm) when I ride Fromme or bigger mountains.
Why buy a bike to make the ride easier? Is the challenge not what it is all about? If you want to make your ride easier then ride A trail that is more in line with your skill level. Just my too cents

[King of Fasia]

Nope, 26 inch is not dead.

[slimdog]

Originally Posted by Buster Bluth

Yes, I currently own a 26er hardtail. And it's dead to me.

But it's not dead because it's a 26er hardtail. My problem with it is a matter of geometry and materials. It's got pretty steep angles and an aluminum frame. I also now realize I would prefer something with a shorter top tube.

These are all issues that would be resolved with going with a steel 26er hardtail with a slacker head angle (say 68-degrees)...however...the logical choice for my aging bones would be to get something perhaps even more suitable for my needs like full suspension and/or 29er.

But it is down to fun and I wonder if I would have just as much "fun" on a steel 26er with better angles. I tend to think I probably would and it would save me money as I've got a lot of nice stuff I could just throw on a new frame and fork.

Ok well if you have a 26er hardtail then I think you should just go out and try as many hardtails that you can. There are just to many variables when you include geometry and then and 26 and 29 into the mix.

As for your question are 26ers dead I would have to say NO. I have had the same one for all most 10 years now and will always have a hardtail in my quiver.

Good luck with the hunt.

[enduramil]

BB... your thinking and worrying to much. Go ride your bike more.

[wheeldrop]

When you have a hard tail bike ,like Brodie brute,Evil imperial,Le toy, or Banshee Morphine and put bigger forks on like Sherman sliders,Boxxers, or shivers . I remember the days well so i took mine down neds about a month ago. It has 145mm nixon forks and single tracks you sure have to pick your lines i think they may work better with the 3 inch 24 inch tires.I never could crack mine since 2002 its aluminum can post pics on facebook,or you tube from my phone but uploading pics to web sites is beyond my comprehension.
Heathen i remember shuttling burnaby mountain with you and your brother you both had boxxer ride forks and an old s-10 pick up no leg armour .Can not remember what I was riding i think i had my santa cruz cameleon ,it is cracked now.

[LMN]

Yep, even for XC racing they are dead.

[boomforeal]

for the record, my chromag owns neds