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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) converting 29 to 650b? (Read 4631 times)
isitwinteryet
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converting 29 to 650b?
06/28/13 at 1:56am
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i've been toying with this idea, to put a 650b tire on my 29er.

it would take the extra agility that comes with the smaller wheel size would have to be a plus right?  downfall is i'd loose some of the "rollover" characteristics of a bigger wheel

surely clearance for the rims and tires around the frame/forks wouldnt be an issue.  i guess theoretically the bb and cranks would sit almost an inch lower but its only an inch that wouldnt be so bad?

i guess i'd have to change the gearing some but that seems easy enough

has anybody else tried this?   

anything else i'm not thinking of?
  
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Screaming Knees
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #1 - 06/28/13 at 4:57am
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Do it. Frankenstein builds are great. 

Your bottom bracket will be lower, causing possible pedal strikes (which suck, BTW). Your gearing wouldn't change that much, just get a little easier. 

But that being said, you are still going to have a longer wheelbase which is what gives the 29er it's sluggish feel.   

Get someone to let you borrow a wheelset for a ride and tell us how it is.
« Last Edit: 06/28/13 at 2:59pm by Screaming Knees »  
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criticalmass
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #2 - 06/28/13 at 2:22pm
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So if the bike drops the same distance in the front as it does in the back, will it steepen the head tube angle?

  
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Screaming Knees
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #3 - 06/28/13 at 2:59pm
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Good point. Editing original post...
  
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isitwinteryet
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #4 - 06/28/13 at 6:04pm
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do you think theres a way to shorten the wheelbase up?  custom spacers/dropouts for the rear?  maybe some for the front too??
  
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Screaming Knees
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #5 - 06/28/13 at 6:17pm
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no.
  
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isitwinteryet
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #6 - 06/30/13 at 4:23am
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i think its not a bad idea i have a few things in mind all i need is a good machine shop and i think im in business

  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #7 - 06/30/13 at 11:31pm
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????? :exclamation Huh
  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #8 - 07/03/13 at 1:05am
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I'm not thinking it's such a great idea.  The head and seat tube angles will stay the same and so will the wheel base.  Same head tube angle with a smaller wheel should speed it up a bit but think having the same wheel base would negate any gains.  And you would loose not only an inch of BB clearance but also bring the end of the crank arm 1 inch closer to the ground.  You will probably pedal strike a lot.

But like all things Frankenstein, give it a try and let us know how it works out!
  
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isitwinteryet
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #9 - 07/03/13 at 5:18pm
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do you think if i went straight from 29 to 26 and skip the 650 it would get more benefits?
  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #10 - 07/03/13 at 6:11pm
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you should put a 26er on the front and a 29er on the rear.
  
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isitwinteryet
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #11 - 07/03/13 at 6:17pm
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pretty sure that would affect headtube angle doe
  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #12 - 07/03/13 at 8:30pm
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Nah, it'll be ok
  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #13 - 07/04/13 at 2:19am
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And think how fast it will accelerate with that 26er tire in the front...Don't even get me started on the awesome small bump compliance with the 29er out back....
  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #14 - 07/04/13 at 3:27am
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Quote:
And think how fast it will accelerate with that 26er tire in the front...Don't even get me started on the awesome small bump compliance with the 29er out back....

+1!
  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #15 - 07/05/13 at 8:40pm
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isitwinteryet wrote on 07/03/13 at 5:18pm:
do you think if i went straight from 29 to 26 and skip the 650 it would get more benefits?

YES
  
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isitwinteryet
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #16 - 07/06/13 at 5:55pm
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Does anyone have a 26 I can throw on the front to test it out?  Maybe 1 for the back too?  I will need 1 w disc breaks fyi
  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #17 - 07/06/13 at 6:01pm
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isitwinteryet wrote on 07/06/13 at 5:55pm:
Does anyone have a 26 I can throw on the front to test it out?  Maybe 1 for the back too?  I will need 1 w disc breaks fyi

Surely you're not serious?  Dude.  You'd pedal strike riding on the road.  Tongue
  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #18 - 07/06/13 at 6:19pm
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u think?  should only drop me 1.5" right?  im pretty sure i have at least that much clearance to deal with but ill double check next time im near the bike
  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #19 - 07/06/13 at 7:42pm
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isitwinteryet wrote on 07/06/13 at 6:19pm:
u think?  should only drop me 1.5" right?  im pretty sure i have at least that much clearance to deal with but ill double check next time im near the bike

And the end of your crank arms will be 1.5 inches closer to the ground on the down stroke.  I wouldn't turn and pedal at the same time!  Shocked     Smiley Smiley Smiley
  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #20 - 07/06/13 at 8:09pm
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yeah i thnk ive got the clearance ill double check later doe
  
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JR
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #21 - 07/06/13 at 8:59pm
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Why stop at 26"? Go 24" wheels.  Make that thing spritely...
  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #22 - 07/07/13 at 12:24am
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Dude..Don't listen to all these skeptics.

Go for it. And the 26/29" combo would be sick. Post pics
  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #23 - 07/07/13 at 2:30am
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Remember going from a 29" wheel to a 26" wheel on a 29er frame will probably effectively steepen the head tube angle by probably 1-2 degrees.  Like running old school XC bikes from the 80's with 22" wide bars...squirrelly!
  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #24 - 07/07/13 at 2:30am
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JR wrote on 07/06/13 at 8:59pm:
Why stop at 26"? Go 24" wheels.  Make that thing spritely...

Why not 20's?  Wink
  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #25 - 07/07/13 at 3:25pm
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24 rear 29 front. 49er

As long as you can get you front wheel over something, the back will follow, no real need for a rear wheel at all.  Not sure why I have one on my bike.  It helps hold it on my bike rack or stand up in the garage.  I am converting mine to one of those you can ride on top of water. Maybe even a mini hovercraft. 

Who rides their bike anyway?  Don't we just argue about how much 29ers suck and how fast you can e-ride around sherrman ranch or fishers farms?  FF in 17 minutes! Strava record holder in the rain!  Didn't even shift, so I SSed the whole thing
  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #26 - 07/08/13 at 1:36pm
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ehhh im not sure who to trust here anymore i think some of you are messing with me
  
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Re: converting 29 to 650b?
Reply #27 - 07/08/13 at 6:42pm
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isitwinteryet wrote on 07/08/13 at 1:36pm:
ehhh im not sure who to trust here anymore i think some of you are messing with me

Ya think?
  
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