Some are, but the advantages of wheel size and tire grip generally "outweigh" the disadvantages of the extra weight. It's the same wheel size that road bikes use, and you don't see roadies going down to 26" wheels to save weight. Tires it's just a grip and durability vs weight tradeoff. That balance is different for someone racing XC vs someone doing general trail riding, vs someone riding lift assisted downhill. Same goes for wheel build (strength vs weight).
Add the Santa Cruz Bronson to your list. It’s a great all arounder and as of 2021 (I believe) comes with a mixed (MX) wheelset (mullet): 29er (business) up front and 27.5 (party) in the rear. In other words you get the best of both worlds in rollover ability with the larger front wheel and nimbleness out back.
Thanks man. I also just found the YT bikes too and that Jeffsy is looking like a top contendor
YT, Polygon, Commencal, Canyon, etc (more popping up faster than I can keep track of) direct to consumer brands are definitely worth looking at. The Ripmo AF at these prices are tough to beat though. Ripley AF is probably also worth considering though depending on how much travel you want.
I know that there is a hot topic when it comes to buying local for all kinds of things. Are these direct to consumer brands "accepted" within the community? I am sure there are snobs everywhere but was curious?
While I'm no bike snob there are advantages to buying from a local bike shop just as there is with local flyshops.
Thats what I figured. MTB community are some the the most chill folks I have ever been around and are definitely my kind of folks. I have a pretty high mechanical aptitude and have already built bikes before so the direct to consumer option is a big plus for me cause I love putting crap together anyway. My wife said if i had wings Id be tinkerbell LOL.
I aint got no time for this kinda silliness.
I would say so yes. I mean tons of big brands are offering direct to consumer bikes anyways. In my 13 years of mountain biking I've never bought my personal bike from a bike shop, and I've only taken stuff in a couple times. They'll still happily take your money to work on your bike, just don't expect them to bend over backwards for you if you never buy anything from them.
Yeah, well said. That reminds me I had a similar situation with my last bike shop in idaho, they did the bending over backwards thing one time and I went and brought back a case of beer for the team (managerial approval ofcourse). Another example how this community kicks ass.
Yeah it's a pretty relaxed industry mostly. I don't really have any good shop local to me, so I've mainly just learned to be self sufficient in the purchasing and wrenching of my bikes.
You guys speak a foreign language with these bikes. I keep thinking about buying a MB but the terminology is mystifying ;-)
FS= Full Suspension
