27.5 mountain bike

27.5 mountain bikes are mountain bikes which use a large volume tire that is approximately 27.5 inches in diameter, 56 mm wide (ISO 56-584 / 27.5 × 2.25) on an ISO 584 mm rim.[1][2][3][4] 27.5 mountain bikes are also called tweeners,[5] since it "fits between" the traditional 26-inch wheels and the newer 29ers.[6]

Names for the wheel size other than the ISO designated 56-584 are 27.5" and 650B, both considered controversial marketing terms.[2][7][8] The wheel's diameter is smaller than "27-inch" (630mm ISO) size found on older road bicycles[7] and the 650B size has traditionally been a designation for a 26 inch diameter (ISO ~ 40-584 demi-ballon tire) using the same ISO 584 mm rim with narrower tires,[8] used by French tandems, Porteurs and touring bicycles.[2][7][9]

The 27.5 inch are seen as a compromise between the two existing standards of the original 26 inch (ISO 559 mm rim) and recently emerged 29 inch (ISO 622 mm rim) mountain bikes (late 2000s).

History

In 2007, 27.5 inch wheels for mountain bike use was pioneered by Kirk Pacenti as the optimal choice for full suspension mountain bikes,[5][10] and in 2013 at least 10 companies had launched models with 27.5 inch wheels,[11] with some parts manufacturers following suit.[1][3]

In 2012, Nino Schurter won the World Cup event at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa,[4] and placed second in the Olympics in 2012 on 27.5 inch wheels.[2]

In 2022, author Paul Tuthill at Conquer The Bike stated that 27.5 inch wheels were "all but dead, [but] still remains on life support", with 29ers being more common for downhill and endurance riding, and 26ers being more popular for regular bike riding, mountain biking and dirt jumping.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Michael Frank (April 16, 2013). "The New Mountain Bike Revolution: 27.5-Inch Wheels". Adventure Journal. Archived from the original on 2013-05-20. Retrieved 2013-05-12.
  2. ^ a b c d Zinn, Lennard (April 24, 2013). "Back to 27.5". VeloNews. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  3. ^ a b Vernon Felton (2013). "Ready or Not, Here Comes 650". Bike Magazine. Retrieved 2013-05-12.
  4. ^ a b Josh Patterson (Oct 9, 2012). "650b mountain bike wheels: looking at the trends". BikeRadar.com. Retrieved 2013-04-19.
  5. ^ a b Josh Patterson (2012-03-22). "Catching Up With: Kirk Pacenti". Dirt Rag. Archived from the original on 2013-09-18. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  6. ^ What Is a 27.5 Bike? | 27.5 & 650b MTBs Explained
  7. ^ a b c Sheldon Brown (December 6, 2012). "650B (584 mm) Conversions for Road Bikes". Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  8. ^ a b "The 650B Wheel Renaissance". www.rideyourbike.com. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  9. ^ Heine, Jan (17 May 2013). "The Porteurs of Paris". www.bicyclequarterly.com. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  10. ^ James Huang (March 4, 2013). "NAHBS 2013: Kirk Pacenti's eecranks". Cyclingnews. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  11. ^ Matt Phillips (2013). "Reviewed: 27.5 Mountain Bikes for All Trails". Mountain Bike. Archived from the original on 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2013-05-12.
  12. ^ Are 27.5 Wheels Dead? (Who Uses Them Anymore) - Conquer The Bike
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