For many years, Jeff had one geometry—in many frame design configurations—which has come to be known as the Jones 29 geometry (check out this article for further reading).  Based around a short wheelbase design, rigid-specific design, and the new (when it was introduced) 29 x 2.4″ tires, it’s a geometry that even over a decade after Jeff introduced it, is still groundbreaking.  It is nimble, playful, and incredibly comfortable and capable in a huge range of conditions.  While the basic geometry is still just as good as it was when it was first introduced, Jeff decided it was time for an update.

Note: all photos in this post are of pre-production frames without decals.  The position and quantity of bosses is not accurate in the photos, but the specs below are correct.

With the update comes a name change: this update to the Jones 29 will be called the Jones Plus SWB (short wheelbase), and the existing Jones Plus will be called the Jones Plus LWB (long wheelbase).  This is because the Jones Plus SWB is designed to be used with either 27.5 x 3″ (but totally compatible with 29 x 2.35″ to 29 x 2.6), and the Jones Plus LWB is designed to be used with 29 x 3″ (but totally compatible with 29 x 2.35″ to 29 x 3.25″) tires.  Up front, the Jones Plus SWB will easily fit up to a 27.5 x 4″ fat front tire or a 29 x 3.25″ plus tire.

As standards have evolved, and different wheel and tire sizes have become available, Jeff has seen opportunities to expand the capabilities of his short wheelbase (SWB) geometry.  Jeff wanted to make his short wheelbase frames compatible 27.5 x 3″ plus tires, which have the same outside diameter as the standard 29 x 2.4″ tire for which the frames were originally designed, and with which they still work great.  Jeff loves big tires that allow you to run lower pressures for a smoother, faster ride in a wider range of conditions, and while he feels that the 29 plus size that the Jones Plus LWB uses is still the ideal size if the smoothest, fastest ride is what you’re after, he also likes the ride of a short wheelbase bicycle like the Jones 29, and wanted to bring the benefits of the wider tires to that as well.

Out of this, the Jones line is evolving to have two basic geometries, which will both be available in Diamond and Spaceframe designs in both steel and titanium, all available in small, medium, and large, with Truss or Unicrown forks (though some combinations might not be available, and it will take a while to fill out the entire line).  Going forward the two geometries will both be called Jones Plus geometries, and will be differentiated by their wheelbase: SWB for short wheel base, and LWB for long wheel base.  The current Jones Plus has no changes beyond its name which becomes the Jones Plus LWB, while the evolution of the Jones 29 becomes the Jones Plus SWB.

Both of the bikes can take Plus size tires, but the Jones Plus LWB can take 29 x 3″, whereas the Jones Plus SWB can take 27.5 x 3″ or 29 x 2.5″ tires.  The geometries of the two models remain markedly different: the Plus LWB is a long wheelbase bike, and is quite possibly the best bikepacking, gravel road, and general purpose bicycling bike ever made, whereas the Plus SWB remains super playful, fun to hop up and over rocks and logs, and nimble enough to moonlight as a trials bike if needed.

The only changes to the geometry from the original Jones 29 to the new Jones Plus SWB, are that the front and rear centers both gained 11mm in length, and the headtube angle is 1 degree slacker at 69°.  This 22mm total difference in wheelbase has the effect making the bike just a little bit smoother and more stable at high speeds without compromising the nimble handling that is one of the hallmarks of the Jones 29.  It might be surprising that such a small difference in overall length could have much of an effect on ride, but from the testing Jeff has done he’s been impressed by the difference that it makes!

The Jones Plus SWB will be available in both Spaceframe and Diamond frame designs with Truss forks.  Each frame design has the exact same geometry, and only very minor differences in spec that the different frame designs require such as the number of bottle cage mounts on the down tube (check the specs below for details).

There are many details that Jeff changed on the Jones Plus SWB, and among these is the new Jones EBB.  Jeff has been very happy with the Bushnell Featherweight EBB, but has wanted to get back to something even more straight-forward.  He took the classic pinch bolt design that has been used on tandems for decades, and improved it by using large, custom made clamps which have a very large weld area that spreads the load out over the bottom bracket shell.  The large weld area also means that the clamps won’t bend or deform, which provides an extremely high and even clamping force for a completely creak-free bottom bracket.   The whole assembly uses fully replaceable, stainless steel bolts and self-aligning barrel nuts for the greatest reliability.  The self-adjusting barrel nuts are very important because they keep the bolts from having to flex as the clamp is tightened, making the EBB extremely durable.  The EBB itself is lightweight and easy to use, and will allow water to flow through and out, which is important in wet climates.

Jones Plus SWB Steel Spaceframe and Truss Fork

• Custom butted and heat treated 4130 Chromoly tubing
• Super simple, lightweight, creak-free, and durable pinchbolt EBB with fully replaceable stainless steel hardware
• 68mm BSA threaded bottom bracket (the most common type of bottom bracket)
• ED black underlayer to protect frame from rust
• Three rack and fender eyelets on and near the rear dropouts
• Full fender bosses on the seat and chainstay bridges
• Rack bosses on upper seatstays
• Standard 148x12mm thru-axle “Boost” rear hub spacing
• Standard 150x15mm thru-axle (standard fat bike) front hub spacing, which is compatible with dynamo hubs for fat bikes
• Triple-boss cage mount underneath the downtube
• One triple-boss cage mount on the top of the down tube (use it to for a standard two-bolt bottle cage, or a three-bolt cage)
• Low-mount rear disc brake mount for ease of mounting fenders and racks
• Replaceable derailleur hangers available for single speed, standard, and Shimano DMD
• Jones Truss fork – stiff front to rear for precise steering with minimal weight and huge tire clearance
• Replaceable aluminum steerer tube
• Jones TA Bolt thru-axles for simple, reliable and lightweight wheel attachment
• 27.2mm seat post size
• 31.8mm seat clamp/front derailleur size
• Compatible with 1x and 2x “boost” cranks
• Plenty of clearance for 27.5 x 3″ or 29 x 2.5″ rear tires, and up to 27.5 x 4″ or 29 x 3.25″ front tires.
• Increased toe clearance over Jones 29
• Super low standover height
• Currently available in medium size for riders between 5′ 2″ and 6’3″ with more sizes to come eventually

Jones Plus SWB Steel Diamond Frame and Truss Fork

• Custom butted and heat treated 4130 chromoly tubing
• Tapered and butted top tube for extra strength and stiffness
• Super simple, lightweight, creak-free, and durable pinchbolt EBB with fully replaceable stainless steel hardware
• 68mm BSA threaded bottom bracket (the most common type of bottom bracket)
• ED black underlayer to protect frame from rust
• Three rack and fender eyelets on and near the rear dropouts
• Full fender bosses on the seat and chainstay bridges
• Rack bosses on upper seatstays
• Standard 148x12mm thru-axle “Boost” rear hub spacing
• Standard 150x15mm thru-axle (fat bike front standard) front hub spacing, which is compatible with dynamo hubs for fat bikes
• Triple-boss cage mount underneath the downtube
• One triple-boss, and one standard double-boss bottle cage mount on the top of the downtube
• Low-mount rear disc brake mount for ease of mounting fenders and racks
• Replaceable derailleur hangers available for single speed, standard, and Shimano DMD
• Jones Truss fork — stiff front to rear for precise steering with minimal weight and huge tire clearance
• Replaceable aluminum steerer tube
• Jones TA Bolt thru-axles for simple, reliable and lightweight wheel attachment
• 27.2mm seat post size
• 31.8mm seat clamp/front derailleur size
• Compatible with 1x and 2x “boost” cranks
• Plenty of clearance for 27.5 x 3″ or 29 x 2.5″ rear tires, and up to 27.5 x 4″ or 29 x 3.25″ front tires.
• Increased toe clearance over Jones 29
• Currently available in medium size for riders between 5′ 8″ and 6’3″ (depending on standover), with more sizes to come eventually

As with every batch of frame we do, these will be available in both Black and another color.  This time, that color is a light blue (Pantone 646C).  The photo below looks accurate on our screens, but yours may vary!  There will be 25 of each option available worldwide, after which the color options will change (except for black).  Check out our online store for more about the Jones Plus SWB and Plus LWB!