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

Josh Patterson / Immediate Media

Published: September 3, 2015 at 7:08 pm

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.