I know this is probably stupid, but, could you run an Inbred 29er with 26" wheels and 26er forks?
I'm thinking of getting an Inbred frame at the cheap price now, but can't really afford the wheels and forks at the moment. everything else from my hardtail will swap over. So could i run with 26" wheels and forks and change them as and when i can afford it/find a good deal?
It would only be for commuting and light XC.
I know this is a stupid question 😳
It will obviously all physically bolt together and be 'rideable'. I imagine it will have a steeper than intended head angle (some of us don't actually [i]like[/i] head angles slacker than a hooker's knicker elastic though...!) due to the shorter fork and the chainstays will be fairly long. These two factors will probably contribute to a fairly front-heavy feel but, in answer to your question, all I can say is try it. If you're happy enough with it then it's a result, if it's dog toffee then you can always rebuild your current hardtail and put the Inbred frame under your bed until you have the funds for the bigger wheels and forks.
As far as i am aware you would end up with a working bike, but the geometry would be terrible, the head angle on a 29er tends to be steeper than a 26" wheeled bike and fitting a shorter fork and smaller wheel would steepen a lot further so it would handle like a pig.
The BB height would be very low I would of thought too, so pedals would struggle clearing a lot of trail obstacles, overall it would be a bit rubbish!
buy the frame and stor eit until you can afford the a cheap 29er rigid fork and wheelset.
It'll feel odd - steeper head angle and smaller wheel will both reduce trail making the steering very light.
And the BB will be very low.
I wouldn't fancy it but I've seen worse being ridden...
wouldn't there be tyre clearance issues?
Why don't you run it with a cheap rigid fork for the minute?
You never know you might like it so much you never go back to suspension.
Store frame and keep an eye out for some s/h wheels and forks?
[b]xc-steve[/b] - [u]Member[/u]wouldn't there be tyre clearance issues?
Surely running a smaller than intended wheel would result in an abundance, rather than a shortage, of tyre clearance?
[i]Surely running a smaller than intended wheel would result in an abundance, rather than a shortage, of tyre clearance?[/i]
depends if the stays are flared where a normal 29er tyre would go - if they are it might be tight in other places.
I have run CX tires to commute on my inbred 29er, BB height is lower & it feels slightly more twitchy, but the ride seems fine for me anyway, on and off road.
Might be another option ads678?
Selling some wheels and forks soon, something like £200 for 15mm thru axle raidon X1s, and generic hubs/alex en24 rims, if it's of interest...
didn't really think about the low BB, but is obvious really.
Will probably get the frame and store it for a bit.
If you've already got the 26" parts then you should be able to sell them and replace with similar second hand 29er parts, surely?
❗
IA - i'm gonna go for rigid forks on this one sorry.
was gonna wait till later in the year but the price of the inbred at the moment has made me think. I've got a wedding to pay for this June so the rest might have to wait until after that!!
clubber - wheels i have at the moment are about knackered and the forks are a five year old 100mm Recons. they work great but can't see me getting much for them!!
What about if you buy some 29er forks and run your 26 wheels for now? That way the geometry will be the same as it would with 29 wheels (just the whole bike will be 1.5 inches lower).
If you can get the forks too it will be more rideable.
Hmm, that sounds like a plan....
The geometry won't be the same, smaller wheels will result in reduced trail which will make the bike handle differently. How different it will be is anybody's guess.