650b All Mountain Hardtail Buyers Guide

I took my 29er off the rack today and went for a pedal— that’s when I remembered why it’s been on the rack. Though 29″ wheels are fast, when it comes to trail riding and being able to interpret the trail creatively, they’re nowhere near as fun as bikes with smaller wheels. I’ve been trying to make it work with the big wheels for a while now, but it just hasn’t been the experience I’m out for. Though I’ve been on fun rides on 29″ bikes, aside from racing, XC geometry just doesn’t do it for me. Blame it on the big wheels— 650b is calling.

650b wheels retain the playful feel of 26″ wheels but offer a bit of the roll over and traction found in 29″ wheels. What we’re most excited about though, is the range of geometry available in this emerging category. Trail hardtails feature the most progressive designs currently available, and we’re seeing bikes with head angles ranging from 68º to 65º, paired with forks with travel from 120-160mm.

When I had tried switching back to a 26″ hardtail trail bike last year, I missed the traction of the larger 29″ wheels when cornering, so that experiment ended quickly. After rolling 29″ wheels, it really felt slow slow as well.

A few more reasons to get a 650b hardtail? How about the ability to shred boring trails. We all have them. Those close to home trails that are too pedally for the dirt jump bike, but too much for the trail bike. Although Canfield, Kona, Niner, Transition and a few other brands offer 29ers with geometry suitable for seriously attacking single track, most are XC race rigs. They work extremely well for that intended use, but trying technical moves means a lot of extra work, as they’re not very responsive.

The all mountain hardtail is most popular in the UK, where wet winters and a lack of rocks make it a logical option. No rear suspension means less maintenance, and the rigid rear adds excitement to sections of trail already mastered. These new progress trail hardtails feature all the current standards for maximizing trail shred: geo for longer travel forks, bolt-through rear axles, and large diameter seat tubes for compatibility with 5″ and 6″ dropper posts.

Unlike the XC hardtail category which is filled with 2-3lb. carbon frames, the all mountain category ranges from light but possibly overly stiff alloy frames to cromoly frames, most of which are produced in small production runs. On the top end are a few titanium wonder frames that match the ride quality of carbon, but offer a bit more in terms of durabilty to scratches. They’re being designed for use with forks ranging from 120mm to 160mm of suspension travel, so we’re seeing a huge range in intended use. I could totally see going for a badass ti frame, but without even knowing how much I’d enjoy running a 650b hardtail, a less expensive option for testing the waters sounds far more prudent initially.

For our personal use our criteria is pretty basic:

• It shouldn’t be a tank. Why ride something heavier than our dual suspension trail bikes?
• Available frame only
• Need to be able to get one in the states
• Short chainstays are key, since they manual awesome. Long chainstays are bad

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A work in progress

We’ll be adding to the list as we find more that fit the category, so consider this list to be in flux; it’s been difficult to determine BB height as it’s not always listed, and since fork travel varies so much this number’s inconsistent. We’ve also posted links to reviews are also posted beneath each entry. If we’re missing anything, feel free to drop a comment below.

On-One 45650b — $308

The On-One is a clear winner when it comes to price. However, you’ll have to contend with retro 135mm QR spacing for the rear dropouts. Fortunately the 30.9mm seatpost means its dropper post compatible.

• 425mm chain stays
• 65.7º HA with 150mm fork (extended)
• 71.2º SA with above fork
• 135mm rear hub spacing. Wut?
• Threaded bb
• 30.9mm seatpost
• 5lbs 12oz for 16″ frame
• 44mm headtube is tapered fork compatible
• 390mm reach on 16, 397mm reach on 18″
• effective tt on 16″: 592mm / 603mm on 18″

View on the On-One site
Reviews: None

Commencal Meta HT AM 650b — $430

The Commencal Meta HT AM has some progressive geometry but like the On-One you’re limited to old school QR rear wheels with its 135mm rear end. Still, the price is very right if your looking for a ride in an alloy version as its currently listed for $379 frame only.

• 66º HA
• 73º SA
• 580MM TT Medium
• 16.85″ / 428mm chain stay
• Reach unlisted
• Material: Aluminium 6061 Triple butted
• Recommended Fork Height /Max: 544mm
• 31.6mm Seatpost will work with a 150mm Dropper
• Threaded 68mm BB
• 4.2lbs
• QR rear end: 135 x 10mm

View on Commencal USA website
Reviews: None

Nukeproof Scout — $549

The Nukeproof looks epically bomber, and stiff as hell, assuming you want those qualities in a hardtail. It’s engineered from hydroformed T6 6061 alloy.

• 66º HA
• 72º SA
• 580MM TT Medium
• 16.73″ / 125mm chain stay
• 12mm x 142mm rear axle
• ISCG tabs
• 415mm Reach (med)
• Recommended Fork Height /Max: 544mm
• 31.6mm Seatpost will work with a 150mm Dropper
• Stealth routing for dropper post
• Tapered headtube
• Threaded 73mm BB
• BB height: -35mm
• Weight: ?

View at Nukeproof.com

Reviews:

MBR — Nukeproof Scout Race Review

NS Eccentric — $554

Available in cromo and alloy models, the NS Eccentric hits a sweet spot in terms of price and technical specs.

• 420mm stays
• 67.5 HA
• 73 effective SA
• 415mm/ 16.3″ reach for medium
• 23.8 effective TT (med)
• 5.3lbs frame cromo/ 4.53 alloy
• For use with 130 to 150mm forks
• $554 US
• Threaded bb
• Seatpost: 30.9mm
• Stealth routing for dropper post
• ub spacing 142x12mm, NS axle included or 135×10 bolt-on only (adaptors included)
• 1x, Front derailleur compatible, Chainguide mounts

View at NS Bikes

Reviews

Bike Radar — NS Bikes Eccentric
Enduro MTB — The NS Bikes Eccentric Enduro Hardtail Review
MBR — NS Eccentric Review

Transition Transam — $599

Chromoly all mountain rig available in 650b or 29″ wheel variety

• 418mm chain stays
• 67.5º HA
• 74º SA
• 417mm reach for medium
• 595mm effective TT (med)
• 6.08 lbs cro-mo frame
• For use with 130mm forks
• 44mm Headtube fits tapered steerer forks
• Threaded 73mm bb shell
• Seatpost: 30.9mm with stealth routing
• Single Speed or gears with FAST dropout. 12x 142mm

View at Transition Bikes

Reviews: Bermstyle reviews the 650b TransAm

 

Surly Instigator 2.0 — $599

The new and improved version of the Instigator does away with the weird top tube of the past with a profile similar to other trail hardtails. Surly is a company on the progressive edge when it comes to wide wheels and tires, and we initially skipped adding it to the list, seeing it primarily as a fat bike, as they label it a 26+.

A closer look shows it to be considerably more though, as it’s packed with features.  Meshing several different genres of bikes into one wildly versatile chassis, the Instigator offers a variety of build options, though it does look to be on the heavy side.

• 67.5º HA
• 73º SA
• 416.4mm Chainstays
• 30.9mm Seat post
• 422.9mm reach on size med (ETT: 605mm)
• 30.0 BB Drop
• ISCG 05 Tabs
• Geo measured with fork with 508mm axle to crown
• 44mm Headtube fits tapered steerer forks
• Modular Dropout System allows choice of rear axle type
• Threaded 73mm bb shell

View at Surly Bikes

Reviews:

Bike Radar — Surly Instigator 2.0 – First Ride
Singletracks — Review: Surly Instigator

Santa Cruz Chameleon — $750

Alloy all-arounder with upright cockpit and short reach, the 650b Chameleon will run you $750 frame only with build kits available.

• 419mm/ 16.5″ stays
• 67.3º HA
• 71.3º SA
• 382mm/ 15.04″ reach for medium
• 22.99″ TT (med)
• 30.9mm seatpost with stealth routing
• Interchangeable dropouts- SS 135mm QR or 142mm x12mm
• Threaded BB
• 2x bottle cage mounts
• For use with 120 to 150mm forks

View at Santa Cruz website

Reviews: None

Kona Explosif Cro-mo

We almost didn’t include the Kona since there isn’t a budget frame only option. Currently available as a complete cro-mo bike for $2200 or $2k ti frame, the Explosif is spec’d with a 120mm fork.

• 420mm chain stays
• 68º HA
• 73º SA
• 409mm reach for 17″
• 598mm/ 23.54″ TT (17″)
• 30.9mm seatpost
• Reynolds 520 tubing
• Frame weight?

View at KonaWorld.com

Reviews

MBR — Kona Explosif 27.5 Review

Jamis Dragon

Also worth mentioning is the Jamis Dragon as it is also available as a frameset, and uses a Reynolds 853 tubeset. For the most part it’s up to date with a tapered compatible 44mm head tube, threaded bb shell, dropper post compatible 31.6 seat tube, ISCG tabs and 12x 142mm dropouts. The 100mm dropper post spec on the complete doesn’t make sense, and there isn’t a lot of stand over height.

• 68º HA
• 73º SA (with 120mm fork)
• 23″ / 584mm effective TT on size 17″
• 31.6″ seat tube
• Reynolds 853 tubeset
• Chainstay length 16.73” / 425mm
• Reach?
• Frame weight & price?

View on jamisbikes.com

Cove Hummer — $2000

One of the most expensive on the list, the Hummer is fabricated from Titanium and comes in at a light 4lbs, 8oz. It’ll set you back about $2k for the frame.

Highlights include:

• 422mm chainstay
• PF 30bb
• 67.5º HA
• 71.5º SA
• 31.6mm Seat Post
• Ti frame 18″ weighs 4lbs, 8oz
• $2,000 for a frame

Check it out: Cove Hummer 650bj

Reviews:

NSMB: 2014 Cove Hummer 650 BJ

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Overseas brands

These options aren’t readily available here in the states, but here are a few that look like promising options, assuming you can get one.

Dartmoor Primal
Mondraker Vantage RR
Production Privee Shan — $652 (USD)
Whyte 901
Chromag Wide Angle/ Samurai — $1500

• 68º HA
• 73º SA
• 23″ / 584mm effective TT on size med
• Chromag Custom chromoly tube set
• Chainstay length 16.5” / 419mm
• Chromag modular/replaceable dropout system for 10x135mm or 12x142mm
• Chromag’s proprietary removable ISCG mount
• 44mm headtube accepts tapered steerer forks
• Optimized for 130-150mm fork
• 31.6mm seat tube with stealth routing

View at Chromag.com

Cotic Soul (UK)

• 428mm chainstay
• 414.8mm reach/ medium
• 68º HA (w/ 140mm fork)
• 71º SA
• 30.9mm Seat tube

View at Cotic

Stanton Switchback

Available in Ti and cromo versions. $850 for Steel frame + shipping to states

• 415mm chainstay
• Reynolds tubing
• 65.75º HA
• 72.5º SA
• 30.9mm Seat tube

View at Stanton