Feb. 11, 2015, 8:07 a.m. -  miked. (EMCAWS)

#!markdown Hey Michael, Thanks for pointing out the folks that are still trying to keep 26 alive. I definitely think that at least for the foreseeable future, we'll have some bike manufacturers still producing 26″ frames, or offering options like Banshee does. If in a few years the industry decides it was wrong and people still want 26″ bikes, fantastic! Unfortunately, a lot of money has gone into making sure 27.5/650b stick, and if the races I watched this year are any indication, it's not slowing racers down. As long as that's the case, I am mentally prepared for a change. Just how I am prepared for a change to electric vehicles no matter how badly I'll always miss the raw sound and feel of a proper engine, or to accept that TV's will just come with 3D built in regardless of the fact that I have no interest in it, or that my phone's battery will continue to suffer because consumers have bought into skinnier and skinnier. All industries make decisions that aren't always greatly beneficial to the end user but if their marketing teams are strong enough, they'll make a ton of money doing it. If pros get fat cheques to promote new technology, good for them. I can't say I know anyone that would turn that down. Whatever toothpaste you use was decided based on the same principles. It's up to us as the consumer to do our research and decide what works best for our personal situation. As for me, I just want to ride my bike. If that means in 5 year's time 26 is gone, it's unfortunate. But I'll get over it. Or maybe I won't and my small wheeled bike with it's archaic aluminum frame and I will live happily ever after