Levo Gen 2 switch to 27.5, would I notice the difference?

[RebornRider]

I've watched countless videos attempting to explain the difference in bike feel between 27.5 and 29 wheels. The one that resonated the most said that riders in the "early intermediate" skill zone (me!) probably would not notice the difference in bike handling.

I'm looking into the change for my 2019 Turbo Levo because I'm quite short (165 cm), which means the ground is always a long way down when I lose my balance in a steep switchback. Straddling the bike is, um, uncomfortable. I'm just looking to lower the whole bike a bit.

Have any of you switched your 29er Turbo Levos to 27.5? What differences did you notice?

 

[Rosemount]

27.5 has a quicker turning response . Less gyroscopic effect . And accelerates faster .

But ... you will affect the ground clearance if you use smaller diameter wheels .

 

[boBE]

I switched my Levo SL to 27.5" and am happy with the steering and handling. No pedal strikes yet but I don't ride rock gardens.

 

[flash]

I've watched countless videos attempting to explaining the difference in bike feel between 27.5 and 29 wheels. The one that resonated the most said that riders in the "early intermediate" skill zone (me!) probably would not notice the difference in bike handling.

I'm looking into the change for my 2019 Turbo Levo because I'm quite short (165 cm), which means the ground is always a long way down when I lose my balance in a steep switchback. Straddling the bike is, um, uncomfortable. I'm just looking to lower the whole bike a bit.

Have any of you switched your 29er Turbo Levos to 27.5? What differences did you notice?

It's not entirely related but I did convert a Merida 29er hardtail to a 27.5. But I did increase the fork to make up some of the difference in bottom bracket height. I'm not a great rider (intermediate at best) and noticed a huge difference. I'm boringly average height (177). I've owned 29er acoustic bikes and I realise I just prefer a 27.5. 29 might be incrementally faster but I'm not racing and I think 27.5 is more fun, for me.

Gordon

 

[KeithR]

27.5 has a quicker turning response .

But don't ignore handlebar width.

My Levo SL is my first 29er, and - unquestionably - it's much quicker in the turns than either my 27.5 acoustic Giant Trance 2 or my 27.5 Cube Stereo ebike, purely (as far as I can figure) because it's got 800mm bars, rather than the stock 730s on the Giant or the 740s on the Cube.

The axiom that 29" wheels roll over stuff better is also proving to the case in the Real World for me, too - far more than I'd expected would be the case.

So far, I'm finding myself very persuaded by the bigger wheel size, and I was sure I wouldn't be.

(170cm here, incidentally).

 

[ReinerSt0ff77]

I switched to 27.5 + on my Levo,plus 30mm more Travel and i love it.
I am 1.70 on M Size

 

[Doomanic]

I tried my Rail as 27.5. Mainly because I was bored one day...

It was great apart from the pedal strikes and losing the 29er's ability to roll over rocks, roots and steps.

If you do go 27.5 you'll need shorter cranks. It may be worth trying them before you do anything else; it will enable you to drop the saddle height a bit which may be all that you need.

the ground is always a long way down when I lose my balance in a steep switchback. Straddling the bike is, um, uncomfortable.

You are lowering the dropper, right?

 

[steve_sordy]

Why not leave the 29er on the front and just alter the rear?
That way you keep the better rollover ability of the 29er, lower the BB a bit, and can get your arse over the rear without being buzzed.

 

[RebornRider]

OP here. I did the switch to 27.5 rear and, as I kinda expected, I'm not skillful enough, or maybe sensitive enough, to notice a significant difference in handling feel. I do like that I can straddle the bike with actual clearance. I also like that I can jump off the back of the bike in an emergency without experiencing negative clearance to the rear tire on the dangly bits.

Two other things that I didn't make clear above:

1) I only changed the rear to 27.5. Front is still 29. I flipped the chip to the high position to compensate.
2) Yes, my dropper is always down unless I need to pedal for awhile. That does not change the negative top tube clearance I had with the 29 rear.

 

[steve_sordy]

@RebornRider That sounds like a big win to me!!