27.5+ bikes and components gain traction at Eurobike

27.5+ bikes and components gain traction at Eurobike

New models from Mondraker, Salsa, Marin and more

Plus-sized bikes and components steamrolled this year's Eurobike tradeshow

Josh Patterson / Immediate Media

Josh Patterson

Plus-sized bikes and components steamrolled this year's Eurobike tradeshow - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
American Classic has a new extra-wide alloy wheelset called the Smokin' Gun in 27.5 and 29in versions - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The American Classic Smokin' Gun has an internal width of 40mm - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Devinci was showing off its first 27.5 model called the Hendrix - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Devinci Hendrix has 120mm of suspension travel via the Split Pivot suspension system - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
DT Swiss is embracing the plus-sized movement with the XM551 rim. It's tubeless compatible and has a claimed weight of 595g - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
29 might not be gaining industry acceptance at the same rate as 27.5 but there's still a fair number of tyres in development. Duro is offering its Crux tyre in 29x3.25, 29x3.0 and 27.5x3.25in sizes - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Haro Shift sports 130mm of travel and comes with a full 11-speed Shimano XT build kit - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Innova 27.5x3.0 Gneiss - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Innova 27.5x3.0 Transformers II - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Innova 29x3.0 Innova Transformers Race - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Marin is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a special edition of its Pine Mountain hardtail. Now reborn with 27.5 wheels - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Pine Mountain 2 has a raw finish that shows off the brass used in brazing. - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Pine Mountain 2 is constructed from Columbus steel tubing - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Marin is also offering the Pine Mountain in a budget-minded version with a rigid fork - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Mondraker was showing off one of the more progressive interpretations of a 27.5 trail bike. The Mondraker Crafty can be run with 29 or 27.5 tyres and features 140mm of suspension - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
To keep the angles tight the Crafty ditches a front derailleur mount - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Mondraker also makes an E-bike version of the Crafty - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
In addition to the full suspension Crafty, Mondraker is also rolling out the 27.5in Vantage - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Onza has a 27x2.85in version of it's popular Canis tread. The claimed weight is 840g - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Orbea's slack 27.5 hardtail, the Loki, looks like a lot of fun - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Pilot Cycles had this tidy looking long-travel 27.5 hardtail on display - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
German brand Rotwild is embracing 27.5 . This is one of the sleekest E-bikes we've seen thus far - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Salsa developed a version of its 29in Horsethief into a 27.5 version called the Pony Rustler - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Ponyrustler is a Horsetheif spec'd with 27.5 wheels and tyres - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Plenty of clearance with 27.5x3.0in WTB Bridger treads - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Schwalbe has a 27.5x3.0 version of the Nobby Nic - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Slightly smaller and faster rolling is Schwalbe's new 27.5x2.80 Rocket Ron - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
...and then there's the large and in charge 29x2.35 Fat Albert - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Silverback was showing off its 27.5 Square model, which sports 110mm of rear travel and a 120mm suspension fork - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Stevens Whaka has 140mm of rear travel via a four-bar linkage and some very clean looking internal routing - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Surly is developing another plus-sized tyre to address the needs of riders who wanted a burly tyre than the Knard. It will be available in 27.5 and 29 sizes - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The 27.5x3.0 WTB Bridger tyre was introduced earlier this year - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The new 27.5x3.0 WTB Trail Boss will be available in late 2015 - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Last but certainly not least, the bike that started it all: the Rocky Mountain Sherpa - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media

While strolling the halls of Eurobike one trend was hard to ignore: plus-sized mountain bikes were everywhere. It seems as if nearly every company is testing the almost-fat waters by developing mountain bikes equipped with extra-wide rims and 27.5x3in tyres.

Related reading: BikeRadar’s complete coverage of the Eurobike trade show

Companies are all over the map with their 27.5+ designs.

Marin is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a special edition of its pine mountain hardtail. now reborn with 27.5 wheels: marin is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a special edition of its pine mountain hardtail. now reborn with 27.5 wheels

Marin opted to design its 30th anniversary Pine Mountain series around 27.5+ tyres. The company feels that 27.5+ is the best option for a modern interpretation of one of the company’s signature models from days gone by.

Mondraker was showing off one of the more progressive interpretations of a 27.5 trail bike. the mondraker crafty can be run with 29 or 27.5 tires and features 140mm of suspension : mondraker was showing off one of the more progressive interpretations of a 27.5 trail bike. the mondraker crafty can be run with 29 or 27.5 tires and features 140mm of suspension

Both 27.5+ Mondraker Crafty models feature 140mm of front and rear travel and a very clean looking aluminum frame

For 2016, Mondraker has two very interesting 27.5+ full suspension models. The Crafty RR+ and Crafty R+ are based on the 29in Crafty platform introduced last year with suspension linkage and geometry changes to reduce the chainstay length.

Salsa developed a version of its 29in horsethief into a 27.5 version called the pony rustler: salsa developed a version of its 29in horsethief into a 27.5 version called the pony rustler

We spotted Salsa’s 27.5+ prototype at this year’s Sea Otter Classic. The bike is a version of the company’s 29in Horsethief trail bike that the company is outfitting with 27.5+ rubber. In this build kit the bike is known as the Pony Rustler.

In addition to complete bikes, new 27.5+ tyres and rims were everywhere.

The american classic smokin' gun has an internal width of 40mm. : the american classic smokin' gun has an internal width of 40mm.

American Classic was showing off it’ new plus-sized Smokin’ Gun wheelset

Schwalbe has a 27.5x3.0 version of the nobby nic: schwalbe has a 27.5x3.0 version of the nobby nic

Schwalbe has 27.5+ versions of several popular treads, including the Nobby Nic

Click through the gallery above for a full look at all the new plus-sized bikes and components we saw at Eurobike.

Josh Patterson

Contributor

Josh Patterson is a BikeRadar contributor and former technical editor. He has spent most of his career working in the cycling industry as an athlete, mechanic and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism and has more than 20 years of experience as a cyclist and 12 years of experience riding and writing for BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Dirt Rag, RoadBikeReview and Outside Magazine. A native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Josh was a pioneer in the gravel cycling movement, having raced the first Unbound 200 and many other gravel events around the globe. He considers himself a cycling generalist and enjoys road, gravel and mountain biking in equal measure. When not traveling for work, he can be found exploring the singletrack and lonely gravel roads that surround his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his love of cycling, Josh is an enthusiastic supporter of brunch, voting rights and the right to repair movement.
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