A lot of companies were showing off new bikes at Sea Otter this year, most of them featured plus-size tiresRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Why Cycle’s titanium Wayward hardtail rolls on 29×2.8in rubberRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Terrene McFly tires were seen on a lot of 29+ bikesRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Curvy stays make room for wide rubber and heels on the upstrokeRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Ibis’s new Ripley LS comes with 29×2.6in tires and 130/120mm front and rear travelRussell Eich / Immediate Media
The 3rd Generation Ripley has an updated swingarm and clevis, and a wider upper eccentric pivotRussell Eich / Immediate Media
The Ripley LS rear end fits 2.6in Schwalbe or Maxxis 2.5WT tires on wide rimsRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Commencal’s Meta Power e-bike features 27.5×2.8in Minions front and rearRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Rigid singlespeeds are definitely on board with plus-size tiresRussell Eich / Immediate Media
The Terrene McFly tires are available in Tough and Light casingsRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Chris Chance was at Sea Otter showing off his new Yo Eddy 2.2Russell Eich / Immediate Media
The Yo Eddy 2.2 has a Boost 148mm rear end and clearance for 27.5×3.0in or 29×2.5in meatsRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Even with new tire sizes, Fat Chance stays true to its eye-catching fade paint workRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Fat Chance’s Chris Cross monstercross frame is designed, welded and painted in the USRussell Eich / Immediate Media
The Chris Cross is versatile with room for 27.5×2.1in or 700x40mm tiresRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Breadwinner is a collaboration between custom framebuilders Ira Ryan and Tony Pereira with frames built in Portland, ORRussell Eich / Immediate Media
The Goodwater trail hardtail can squeeze 27.5×3.0 or 29in wheels and tires inRussell Eich / Immediate Media
While cruising around at this year’s Sea Otter, a few trends were pretty much unmistakable. First, there are a lot of carbon wheel companies and second, mountain bikes with plus size tires are the latest and greatest.
From custom one-off steel bikes to e-bikes, to new-school carbon full-suspension wunder rigs, plus-size rubber was here, there, everywhere.
The Terrene McFly tires are available in Tough and Light casingsRussell Eich / Immediate Media
We’ve seen a few brands take existing 29ers and thanks to the additional 6mm afforded by Boost out back slip some 27.5+ tires in. For 2017 though, the trend is even bigger with plus-size 29ers popping up.
The Chris Cross is versatile with room for 27.5 x 2.1in or 700 x 40mm tiresRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Some bikes, such as Ibis’s new Ripley LS, sneak in with Schwalbe 2.6in tires tucked out back, while some drop bar monstercross bikes do double-duty fitting Mondo 40mm treads on 700c wheels or XC-width 2.1in tires on 27.5in hoops.
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Check out the gallery above to get a taste of the latest plus-size bikes coming your way.
