Prepare for the 650b Wheel-Size Revolution

Well, shit. I guess if I want a new 55, or 350 or whatever it'll be called, I'll have to make the leap to 650b… The upcoming 2014 Marzocchi stuff looks great, though.

Bike Radar

35mm-diameter enduro chassis

Unfortunately, Marzocchi didn't have prototypes available to show us but did say that a new enduro-focused platform is on the way, too. The new forks will be built around 35mm-diameter, aluminum upper tubes and will be offered exclusively for use with 27.5in (650b) wheels.

Travel will range from 140mm to 160mm, and the DBC dampers will be set at the factory with a softer tune than the ones in Marzocchi's more cross-country oriented forks.

Target weight for the top model is around 1,800g (3.97lb) and pricing is expected to be about US$1,000.

i bet you could cram a 26" wheel in there ;)

http://dirt.mpora.com/news/dirttv-dan-athertons-gt-prototype-race-bike-exclusive.html

Dan's 650b proto. Smart marketing to produce a proto just for Dan and tell the public they can't have it. We know people want what they can't have.

i bet you could cram a 26" wheel in there ;)

Oh, for sure, but I wonder if it would be a reasonable A-C measurement compared with my current 55?

Rode with a guy last week who had a newer model Reign X with 650B Flow Exs and HDs (I realy want to say 2.35s as they were massive) on his bike. Front wheel cleared the fork arch no problem, but he needed to attack the rear tire with a belt sander to get the wheel to fit the rear end. He said he didn't realize how massive the tires were.

pretty excited for this to ship- been signed up for one since may.

changes are all for the better:

- slx throughout
- 520 tubing
- 12x142 rear
- ardents
- tubeless ready

at 27lbs, will be the lightest bike i've ever owned in 19 years of riding mtb.

had to share my stoke.

pretty excited for this to ship- been signed up for one since may.

changes are all for the better:

- slx throughout
- 520 tubing
- 12x142 rear
- ardents
- tubeless ready

at 27lbs, will be the lightest bike i've ever owned in 19 years of riding mtb.

had to share my stoke.

New Explosif?

New Explosif?

yup. kona is killing it these days

had to share my stoke.

As a 2013 Explosif owner, those are all improvements over the outgoing model. You will love it.

I just don't get why fun hater bikes are becoming so popular?

I just don't get why fun hater bikes are becoming so popular?

Which ones are fun haters 650B or 29ers? ;)

I just don't get why fun hater bikes are becoming so popular?

was a skeptical hater for years, but the geometry doesn't lie on the explosif.

can't find anything like it in a stock 26, and it will be my xc bike…

Which ones are fun haters 650B or 29ers? ;)

I'd guess he means hardtails.

That Kona looks awesome, enjoy!