27.5" Vs. 27.5" Plus Bikes – Which Is Faster?

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Author: Global Mountain Bike Network

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Neil got his hands on the new SCOTT Genius LT with 27.5"+ wheels. Is this new, fatter wheel and tyre standard faster for general riding? Watch the video and find out. Click here to subscribe to GMBN: http://gmbn.eu/Subscribe With all the wheel standards about, it might be difficult to keep track of them, let alone the benefits of each. We got the chance to directly compare the 27.5" and 27.5"+ bikes in SCOTT's range to see which is the fastest over an undulating singletrack course – something similar to the great trails that we all love to ride. Which bike would be faster? Would one tyre/wheel standard feel better than the other? Check out our findings and let us know your thoughts down in the comments. Music: Francophilippe - The 4th Wall Freeze The Atlantic - This Fight (Inst) Freeze The Atlantic - Stompbox (Inst) Click here to buy GMBN T-shirts, hoodies and more: http://gmbn.eu/shopgmbn The Global Mountain Bike Network is the best MTB YouTube channel, with videos for everyone who loves dirt: from the full-faced helmet downhill mountain biker to the lycra-clad cross country rider along with everyone and anyone in between. With the help of our pro and ex-pro riding team we’re here to inform, entertain and inspire you to become a better mountain biker, including videos on: - How to ride faster with expert knowledge - Fix everything with pro know-how - Ride anything with world-cup winning skills - Dial in your bike with bike set-up advice - In-depth entertaining features - Chat, opinion and interact with us on the Dirt Shed Show Welcome to the Global Mountain Bike Network | Covering Every Angle Thanks to our sponsors: Canyon bikes: http://gmbn.eu/Canyon SCOTT bikes: http://gmbn.eu/SCOTTbikes Crank Brothers: http://gmbn.eu/crankbros YouTube Channel - http://gmbn.eu/GMBNsubs Facebook - http://gmbn.eu/GMBNFB Google+ - http://gmbn.eu/GMBNGplus Twitter - http://gmbn.eu/GMBNTW Instagram - http://gmbn.eu/GMBNIG GMBN Shop - http://gmbn.eu/shopgmbn Leave us a comment below!

Comments

i would like to see a kind of comparison between plus hardtail and a normal enduro / trail full suspension bike on a technical trail. is it possible to replace the fully with the plus bike?

i like a slacked out 29er with a burly loadout.
high psi suspension setup
high rebound damping
35 psi rear
26 psi front
rollin withouta colon!!!!!!!!!!

i want a wheelset like that

great video thanks

Blah blah blah... shite, whatever. just get out on whatever bike you have and have fun at whatever level you want to ride at. marketing bollocks is no reason to 'upgrade' to whatever some dick tells you is the new big thing.

I'm all for the 27.5+. If you want to run 27.5 you can if you want to run 29 you can if you want to run 27.5+ you can. Seems like a win win to me.

where do you get the plus tire?

wich one you think is easier to ride

Interesting piece - thanks. Were the standard 2.3 and the plus 3.0? Cheers?

Meh, sorry to say it but lame test... It's great that GMBN is around, and they do have really well produced content. But to be fair, the trail used was so non-technical and not much of a full on MTB trail that I'm not sure what it's worth. (Is that what trails are like in the UK?) Also, the test itself was not the most controlled or results reproducible. That said, from my experience here in the Boulder CO front range (yeah, home of some real trails, both singletrack and rocky technical climbs and descents, oh, did I say climbs...), I'd say 27.5 + hardtail vs. my 29er hardtail are like night and day. The 29er is more of a straightforward XC ride, with a bit better pedaling response on rollers and flats, but the 27.5+ for sure rocks_it in all other situations, especially on steep technical climbs (read: 15%+), fast rocky singletrack sections, and burly/rowdy descents w/ rock gardens, roots and off-camber tracks. All in, I'd give up my 29er in a heartbeat for a 27.5+ any day of the week, it's that much more fun. You end up seeking out the slightest little lip or burm to huck and catch air. It's the shizz!

Which climbs better over roots?

What if a bike is designed for 27.5+ or 29 tires (Orbea Loki) but I will fit 27,5 tires?
It's just a personal thing but I'm not to keen about the big balloon looking tires of the 27,5+ (besides, i'm not to sure about the feedback those tires will give you) and I would prefer the 27.5 over 29 because I believe I will have a more playfull ride.
I would go for another frame that is suited for 27,5 but I can get a good deal on this one. Therefore I would like to know what I would compromise...
I will have a 1" drop in BB height and a wider frame then necessary but how will this affect the ride? Any thoughts or suggestions? I might even put a 140mm fork instead of the standard 120 to make it a bit more slack.

Close times...Question is..How does this translate to a 3hr ride, or a 3 lap 15-18mile race? Is the + less fatiguing to ride, and would it be faster over time. Or does it require more energy to get back up to speed after braking, etc...

I switched from 26" Kona to 27.5 Norco Sight LE (with 2.35 Minions)last year. I can't trow it around as easily as my 26", but it's a lot more fun than a 29 and it flies thru the rock gardens.

There's no perfect setup, and 27.5+ looks like a pretty good one quiver answer, but for me, it's my 27.5...and looking into a 4" Salsa Beargrease for the mud and winter.

One run? Does that prove anything?

I'm buying a scott genius 720 plus bike. what sealed the deal for me is that you can fit 29ers onto it if you want. 2 bikes in 1, what's not to like.

Tested a plus bike last night. Amazing how "easy" it makes the technical terrain. Felt gassed at the top of climbs though. For someone who wants to ride everything (meaning I want to enjoy the climbs and not just "get through" them) I am having a hard time deciding if I should go 27.5 or 27.5+

Suggestions?

(Still riding an old 26 xc setup, looking for something more aggressive, but enjoy the challenge of a good climb)

Super easy teasy! 29ER IS A FOR A FLAT FIRE ROAD RIDER AND 27.5 IS FOR A AGGRESSIVE RIDER THAT WANTS TO GET LOOSE AND CRUSH IT- AT THE END OF THE DAY IF YOUR A BAD ASS IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU HAVE A 29ER- MARKETING!! LMAO!!!

My question is how would 27.5 compare for downhill racing, particularly certain muddy courses like the 2016 Crankworks DH in Les Gets, France? I watched this race recently and was amazed at how many riders struggled in the conditions and were getting completely bogged down in nearly bottom bracket deep mud and ruts. I had a similar experience years ago at a Big Bear, California nationals DH race. The course was a total sludge fest after it had snowed the night before and rained in the morning. It seemed like there might be an advantage to running tires in the 3" range and having a higher bottom bracket (e.g. 15-16") in some conditions. So, if you're taking requests, I'd like to see a downhill course mud test 27.5 v 27.5+...please ;)

I've been crushing trails on my 26" Santa Cruz Chameleon for years, occasionally I'd test ride FS bikes but holding my cash tight until I found something truly inspiring. Well that just happened two weeks ago, I got on a pivot switchblade 27.5+ bike. Two days later I bought it and have been on the trail every other day since. The 27.5+ was unbelievable especially aboard the new pivot switchblade. Climbs that were Laden with rocks and roots I'd just make it up before, now I blaze up them with enough speed to catch some air at the top. Granted this has to do with the full suspension and taller tire, but it is even more pronounced with the added traction of the plus size tire.

Before raking the industry for introducing yet another "gimmick" give the plus size a ride, you'll be full impressed like I was.....I'm sure if it

What tyres are you riding at your bike? You can have 27.5x2.4 or even 27.5x2.5 as rear tyre and a 27.5x2.35 in front to get good grip and also decent rolling resistance with quick handling. I think one main reason to push 27.5x2.8 into market is the fact that it fits well in a 29er frame so the developers doesn't have to make separate frames for 27.5 and 29 on some trail-models anymore.