originsoundd
Dirt Disciple
Have seen a decent amount of builds where people swap 26" wheels for larger ones and even vice versa. What's the process involved in doing this and what do you gain/lose by doing it?
26" to 700c/650b conversion, pros and cons?
- Thread starter originsoundd
- Start date
bikeworkshop
Old School Grand Master
If you increase the wheel size, you get a smoother roll.
If you raise the bb height by going larger overall diameter, you get a less balanced ride.
Small wheels are stronger and more flickable.
These 3 wheel sizes overlap in maximum tyre diameter, and a bicycle geometry is based around that size.
So a huge 26 is close to a sk6iny 27.5,
and a huge 27.5 is close to a skinny 700
The reality is you're better off getting a frame designed around what you want to do - tyre width is dependent on application, and frame clearance needs to match.
I'd say it's a bit like those horizontal dropouts (for hub gear or ss) with a derailleur hanger.
Why?
It's generally best to make your mind up first.
I've got 3 bikes i regularly use, they could overlap in application, but wouldn't be so good.
One frame rarely makes 2 good different bikes, and frames aren't expensive anyway, so just get the right one, and if it isn't right, change it, or have both!
If course if you like playing around with the setup of a single frame, it offers lots of opportunities, so away you go
If you raise the bb height by going larger overall diameter, you get a less balanced ride.
Small wheels are stronger and more flickable.
These 3 wheel sizes overlap in maximum tyre diameter, and a bicycle geometry is based around that size.
So a huge 26 is close to a sk6iny 27.5,
and a huge 27.5 is close to a skinny 700
The reality is you're better off getting a frame designed around what you want to do - tyre width is dependent on application, and frame clearance needs to match.
I'd say it's a bit like those horizontal dropouts (for hub gear or ss) with a derailleur hanger.
Why?
It's generally best to make your mind up first.
I've got 3 bikes i regularly use, they could overlap in application, but wouldn't be so good.
One frame rarely makes 2 good different bikes, and frames aren't expensive anyway, so just get the right one, and if it isn't right, change it, or have both!
If course if you like playing around with the setup of a single frame, it offers lots of opportunities, so away you go
bikeworkshop
Old School Grand Master
The adoptionof disc brakes really made this possible.
Prior to that, the brake mount largely fixed the rim position.
Prior to that, the brake mount largely fixed the rim position.
dirttorpedo
Senior Retro Guru
As noted above, you basically give up tire width for an increase in wheel size and bigger wheels roll over obstacles better. I've tended towards the opposite - dropping down a wheel size to get fatter rubber and the increase in general comfort on dirt or poor roads you can achieve. I only do this on disc brake bikes where this is very simple.
Tayside
Dirt Disciple
Yup, as said,if you are working with a disc frame it's only the tyre widths that can mess things up.
I built up a commuter for one of my kids from an old Orange P7 frame (26er) .
It took 700c wheels with 33mm wide tyres. With 650b it could have managed 40s.
It did help that there was some adjustment at the drop outs.
I built up a commuter for one of my kids from an old Orange P7 frame (26er) .
It took 700c wheels with 33mm wide tyres. With 650b it could have managed 40s.
It did help that there was some adjustment at the drop outs.
Retrorockit
Retro Guru
Look at the 26" tire options at Rene Herse. You might not gain anything by doing that.
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