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Hey all....

Was looking at getting back into riding the dh type of stuff I used to about 5yrs ago. In that time I had a hiatus due to a biggish injury, wedding, birth of our child, various career changes and life changes. Been a crazy time...

So Ive been looking at the current scene and considering upgrades when it soon become apparent that my old bike is now like a penny farthing.

Its a DMR exalt frame on 26" wheels. Magura hs33 brakes.

Now it seems everything is pretty much 650b and obviously hydraulic discs (my planned upgrade at least).

So im wondering if I ride about on my old bike am I going to look lile some idiot wearing the equivalant of a shell suit?

Be honest as I really need to know.

Ans also, is there a big differance in feel between a 26er or 650b?

Firstly, no not much difference in size.

And yes you have a shell suit in florescent yellow lol

Hmmmm. Thought as much.

Is this a whole 650b thing as unsettling (?) to the riders who have seen it come along or just like catching the next wave?

Id of been pretty pissed buying a 3k 26" fs and five years later being old skool.

Its the industry making you change, 26" stuff is completely worthless second hand, a few mates have sold stuff for next to nothing for high end kit.
I was on 29" but bought a 650b last Jan but will probably get another 29er later in the year. N+1

On a wet January ride back in 1985 with a compliment of more than 20 bikes, over half were MTB's with 650b tyres. So not much of a new fad there.

As an inch matters sometimes going from 26" to 650b, which is only an inch bigger, doesn't amount to much.

Welcome long

The whole wheel size debate is a funny one, I actually have/bought a frame that can both wheel sizes with different rear chip system. Did it make much difference? A little bit quicker. Any more fun? No

My advice would be if you are starting out again go with 27.5" wheels over 26 or 29

Yeah it certainly appears ill be starting over...such is progress.

Looking on the silver lining it gives me the opportunity to practice newer techniques and hopefully ive lost any bad habits.

650b it shall be then!

26 ain't dead

Although there isn't a huge difference between 26 and 27.5 the 27.5 bikes will have newer geometry, something that has changed a lot in the last couple years. Try to get yourself to a demo day and see what you like