At last year’s Interbike, it was hard not to notice that 26″ cruisers were having their moment in the sun.
Companies were adding 26″ cruisers to their lineups, left and right, and it was hard not to turn your head and see that this bandwagon was growing.
If this year’s show is any indication, this trend is in no danger of abating…and might even be picking up more steam.
There were companies that have had a 26″ in their lineup for a while, like Volume with their Hessian complete (in two colorways!) to companies either adding a 26″ to their lineup or refining existing models to give them more appeal.
Stolen Bikes was there with their Stolen Zeke XLT (click here for specs) nicely kitted out in chrome.
Subrosa had their Malum 26 on display with its new cool rat-rod finish (click here for specs).
Redline had their nod to the old school, the PL-26, on display (see previous post).
Eastern Bikes is even back on the scene again…and wouldn’t you guess it…they have a 26″, the Growler, in their lineup. (That being said, the rep said it’s high-ten steel and made strictly for light cruising.)
SE had their Fat Ripper 26 on display (see previous post)…just one of…what is it?…three 26s in their lineup (see previous post).
And we’ve already seen We The People’s new 26″ Avenger.
Which kinda brings it all back full circle. Last year, when I first noticed this trend at Interbike I made the comment:
I wonder if the increasing popularity of 26″ bikes will prompt We The People to bring back the 26″ Champ cruiser…not that I would want their 24″ offering, the Atlas, to disappear.
Turns out We The People did jump back into the mix with a 26″ (although not with the 26″ Champ cruiser) but still kept their kickass 24, the Atlas, in the lineup.
All in all, it’s good to see so many big wheel choices for riders to choose from in the 2016 lineups.
