Let’s get back to the good old 26” wheel then. It’s a bike standard that still handles remarkably well on tight and twisty technical terrain. Yes, where quick reactions are required on twitchy trails, the 26” is an ideal choice. It provides increased lateral strength for more adventurous riding and whilst it’s less forgiving over roots and rocks, if you have the handling skills it’s perfectly fine – so go work on your handling by riding flats for a while. In terms of decreased efficiency due to the suspension pedal bob which can be an issue with a 26er, I’ve fitted Rotor Q Rings to the bike and this has been easily dealt with, producing a great climbing bike too. Coupled with the Pro Pedal dampening on the rear Fox RP23 unit, it’s an ideal setup for the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales natural riding routes.

In truth, if I needed a new machine then yes, I’d certainly be looking towards a 27.5, as it provides a perfect balance across most rider requirements. However, as it stands I have a great set of bikes, nicely set up with XTR, Hope hubs and brakes, and lots of DT Swiss wheels alongside the highly tuneable and very reliable Fox RP23 at the rear, which my good friend Guy Kesteven gave 4.5 marks to in his early review. My main bike has a Talas 32 looking after my overall comfort upfront, ensuring things don’t dive under on descents in particular and definitely keeping things smooth, especially when set at 120. Now I’d say that’s not something to simply throw aside for an inch or two.