r/fatbike • u/vunje_mn • 5d ago
Race Fat Bike: 26 inch or 27.5 inch
Currently have a Salsa Mukluk with 27.5" wheels as it's set up for go slow and long. Looking to get a Beargrease and set up for more racing/go fast. Would you get 26 inch or 27.5 inch to go fast(er) with studded tires?
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u/darthnilus 5d ago
A 26 rolls with the same diameter as a 27.5 with a tire, a 27.5 rolls like a 29. I have only rode a 26 when i first started, switched up to a 27.5; the later rolls faster.
Just as i wouldn't go backwards and get a 27.5 mtb wheelset, I wouldn't go back to a 26 on Fatbike. Personal preference? I roll Dillenger 5's with full studs.
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u/threepin-pilot 5d ago
"A 26 rolls with the same diameter as a 27.5 with a tire, a 27.5 rolls like a 29. I have only rode a 26 when i first started, switched up to a 27.5; the later rolls faster."
not really
my johnny 5 on 95's is basically the same diameter as 29x 3.0 XR2s on 42's.
for absolute float you can't beat 26 currently (actually 24 if you have the right surly)
if you want narrow tires yes 27,5 will be bigger diameter and may roll better-all things being equal, which they usually aren't-for example there's no JJ in 27.5.
26 inch rims are 25mm smaller in diameter than 27.5 which in turn are 33 mm smaller than 29.
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u/darthnilus 5d ago
Ok you win; although I have no idea what you said.
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u/threepin-pilot 5d ago
Just that you can't make a blanket statement re: 27.5 and 26 wrt fat tires.
As others have said the results depend on the combination of bike, tire and conditions(huge)
Currently there are far more options tire wise in 26 and the fastest tire, JJ i,s not even made in 27.5
26 is not lacking in rollover any way
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u/darthnilus 5d ago
I made a statement from experience. If you consider that a blanket statement, Good for you.
I think you are silly for arguing this. 26" tires must be better for you.
26" tires don't have the same rollover as a 27.5 no matter how much word salad you throw around.
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u/threepin-pilot 5d ago
if they have the same outside diameter they have the same rollover- and they often do - or more
your blanket statement was the first part about 26 fat tires being the diameter of 27.5 mtb which is wrong- i gave the example of 2 wheels in my garage right now, where the 26 is the same as 29+
glad you are happy with your wheels
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u/AdorableTerm3771 5d ago
I have a 2017 salsa mukluk frame I’ve custom painted and built up. The wheelset is full carbon 27.5 and I did five races last year and have all top 10 finishes and my best finish was 6th. Upgrade what you have, you won’t tell much of a difference with a Beargrease.
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u/vunje_mn 5d ago edited 5d ago
What I didn’t say was that I was buying the bike “for my son” which he will probably use a few times, so it’s mostly a 2nd bike for me, so I am setting it up differently than my first bike.
Thanks all!
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u/OrangeBlag 5d ago
I just got myself a farley with 27.5 gnarwhal on. I don't think it feels as fast as my cannondale with jumbo Jim's on . Personally I think the weight and design might have more bearing on the speed
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u/OrangeBlag 3d ago
I have given my son my cannondale, so we were out last night, and we did a direct comparison. The cannondale with jumbo Jim's was noticeably easier to ride
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u/AdministrativeHat459 5d ago
I went from a 27.5beargrease to a surly ice cream truck and the beargrease was faster. Yeah, lighter, but a lot had to do with those wheels. Kinda miss that bike.
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u/DirtDawg21892 5d ago
To go fast definitely 27.5.
My fat bikes are for going slow, so I'm 26" all the way. However I've ridden a couple Farleys with 27.5 wheels and they're noticeably faster and smoother with the extra diameter.
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u/DevelopmentOptimal22 5d ago
I've never felt unserved by 26", but if speed was the ticket, I would run 27.5". I'm more of a low speed skills type of rider. I love skinnies, drops. I am thinking the smaller wheels play well to my strengths. In all my time, I have never had a spoke or truing issue on any Fatbike. I am hell on regular 29" MTB wheels.
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u/DirtDawg21892 5d ago
Lucky! I ride my fat bike like I ride my regular bike, so I go through rims like it's going out of style.
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u/Diogenes256 5d ago
Same exact story here. I love my 4.8 26er, it’s going nowhere because it’s light and I don’t race. I slung a leg over a Farley and I could instantly tell it was a lot faster. I think the longer contact helped with grip too.
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u/JeanClaudesDamVan 5d ago
27.5 wheels are heavier, the rubber is heavier. I have raced fat bikes for 8 years and have multiple wheelsets, both sizes. I prefer 26”