Not sure if I can raise the subject of 29ers here, but....

tenbikes

Retro Guru
has anybody run 26" wheels in 29er frame? Any issues/comments/feedback welcome.

(As to why: I have the chance for a 29er single speed frame but only have 26 wheels spare at the moment. Will be using disc brakes)
 
Don't see why you couldn't as you are using discs. Although it would steepen the geometry and make it really twitchy and it would lower the BB and you might have trouble with crank clearance, unless you have short cranks and the legs of Chris Hoy.
 
icantthinkofausername":378tuc1s said:
it would steepen the geometry and make it really twitchy

It wouldn't alter the geometry as the wheel contact points and the relationship to the dropouts are identical if both wheels are the same size - just a bit lower to the ground.

As you say, the BB will be lower so there'll be clearance issues, plus it's possible that you might have tyre clearance problems if the chainstays/seatstays are shaped around the tyre.
 
Dave_H":1keltsok said:
icantthinkofausername":1keltsok said:
it would steepen the geometry and make it really twitchy

It wouldn't alter the geometry as the wheel contact points and the relationship to the dropouts are identical if both wheels are the same size - just a bit lower to the ground.

As you say, the BB will be lower so there'll be clearance issues, plus it's possible that you might have tyre clearance problems if the chainstays/seatstays are shaped around the tyre.

Good point! Only changing the front wheel would screw it up.

Surely it shouldn't make a difference for the rear tyre, The frame needs to go from the 68/73 BB shell into the 135 rear spacing. So even if the chainstays were kicked in there would still be enough clearance as a 29" tyre fitted in the frame. So if anything wouldn't you be able to fit wider tyres??
 
It is in fact the geometry that's the problem - most 29ers are built with very steep head angles to compensate for the larger wheels, which deaden the steering. So even though the head angle will remain the same after fitting smaller wheels, it's a head angle that is too steep for 26 wheels.

The other effect of course would be to lower the bottom bracket height, possibly making it too low.
 
Well the angle from the bottom of the head race to the contact point will change so the pivoting angle will be different and effect the handling in one way or another, but who cares if it's only temporary.
 
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