In Pietermaritzburg, the best driver won, that much is certain, as you could see impressively on Redbull TV. What was difficult to see: Schurter took the win on a new Scott bike, one with 27.5-inch - or 650B - or midsize wheels. His two rivals Manuel Fumic and Burry Stander rode 29ers, Julien Absalon (4th place) rode a 26-inch bike as usual and world champion Jaroslav Kulhavy (5th place) rode a 29er fully.
We would like to reassure the numerous critics (we still regularly receive letters to the editor from 29er enemies): We're not trying to start a whole new story here, and nobody needs to feel forced to buy a new bike. In this article, we're simply taking a journalistic look at what's going on in the (racing) scene.
For a good year now, racers have increasingly been racing on 29-inch wheels. Even more frequently in the marathon discipline than in cross country. Twentyniners have advantages, but also disadvantages. In any case, they have a different handling than classic 26ers. Especially in the racing scene, 29ers have developed a momentum of their own. After the first race wins in 2010, more and more racers demanded 29ers, companies were eager to develop them, and there was almost reason to believe that racers would feel inferior on 26-inch bikes from then on. It is well known how much of a professional's performance depends on a strong psyche.
However, the Swiss Nino Schurter and Florian Vogel from the Scott Swisspower team were never convinced by 29ers, nor were they the ideal 29er riders. On the one hand because of their height, on the other because of their riding style. The same applies to former world champions José Antonio Hermida and Julien Absalon.
So Thomas Frischknecht, Schurter and Vogel have been working with Scott on a new concept. The midsize format, so to speak, also known as 27.5 inch or 650 B. Since November 2011, riders have been riding Scott Scale hardtails with 27.5-inch wheels. "It's a small miracle that we were able to keep this away from the public until Pietermaritzburg," Frischknecht told us. Nino and Florian used the 27.5-inch scale for the first time a week before the World Cup at the test race in Pietermaritzburg. "Nobody even noticed anything there. It was even said last week that we were the last Mohicans on a 26er," said Frischknecht, delighted with the successful coup. "After Nino's victory, many people are now standing there with their mouths open. Some top riders have asked for a 27.5 - but no top brand has produced one yet."
This new development has already had a very positive effect on the drivers, says Frischknecht. "Knowing that you're one step ahead of the competition in terms of equipment is naturally motivating. Especially as some of our competitors have seen the light in South Africa."
Thomas Frischknecht described to us how the project went: "The idea for the 27.5" was born almost a year ago and resulted from the fact that Nino and Florian appreciated the advantages of a big bike, but their position on a 29" didn't feel the same as they were used to on a 26". When riding aggressively - especially in corners - they missed the direct steering of a 26". This has a lot to do with the torsion of the larger wheel and the longer fork, especially when braking. This is what makes the 29er significantly slower. In the end, they both wanted to commit to one bike for the whole season instead of always switching from 26" to 29"."
The Scott Swisspower team extensively tested identically constructed 26, 27.5 and 29-inch scales in South Africa and were convinced by the average size. "Frischi" continues: "I rode 26-inch bikes for 23 years. I've only been riding 29ers for almost two years now and was really impressed. It was a change at first, but I got used to it relatively quickly. However, the 27.5 feels right from the first metre. The proportions just fit. It's not just a good Swiss compromise, but rather combines the best of both worlds. On technical trails with tight corners, it feels like a 26". On fast passages and in terms of smoothness, it rides more like a 29".
What is special is that the Scale race bikes are new developments, so they have not simply been fitted with a longer fork and larger wheels. The bikes are currently only available for team riders. The frame weight should be less than one kilo. "We are still in a test phase. I can't say what Scott will do with it," says Frischknecht.
We'll see. More on the developments in the 27.5 inch or 650B sector can be found in BIKE 5/12, in stores from the beginning of April. Until then, have fun on your first spring tours - whatever the wheel size!
