Scott have thrown their weight firmly behind 650b wheels for cross-country/trail/all-mountain use. The new Genius is 650b-only. Picture by Dan MilnerScott have thrown their weight firmly behind 650b wheels for cross-country/trail/all-mountain use. The new Genius is 650b-only. Picture by Dan Milner

JCW, September 10, 2012 — 11:55am

26in wheels could soon be dead for trail riding, say bike industry bigwigs

Manufacturers could soon eliminate 26in-wheeled bikes from their cross-country, trail and all-mountain lines. Yep, you heard that right. A bold statement, but one repeated by a surprising number of industry folk at this year’s Eurobike show.

And the process has already begun – Scott‘s latest Genius is only available with 650b or 29er wheels. Alex Rankin (Sprung, Earthed) caught up with some movers and shapers in Friedrichshafen to find out why the inbetweener 27.5in wheel size is the next big thing.