Is the difference in diameter between a 26" wheel and a 29" wheel a straight 3" (assuming they have 'normal' 2.3ish tyres on)?
So a 26er frame and fork would need at least 1.5" clearance to allow 29er wheels to be fitted?
Well very roughly, yes.
So yes. Ish 😉
Wikipedia says;
[i]29er rims have a diameter of approximately 622 millimetres (24.5 in)[1] and the average 29" mountain bike tire has an outside diameter of about 29.15 inches (740 mm). The typical 26" rim has a diameter of 559 millimetres (22.0 in) and an outside tire diameter of about 26 inches (660 mm)[/i]
Okay, ta.
And what manner of death might become me if I were to stick 29er wheels in a 26er frame?
A nasty handling death due to toppling off your over-high BB'd bike?
with narrow slicks for road use they'd be fine.
I'd be worried about a gonad/TT interface off road though.
If they'd fit, you'd have funny geometry (more trail - slower handling/more stability) and a higher BB
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_and_motorcycle_geometry
[i]you'd have funny geometry (more trail) and a higher BB [/i]
Which would manifest itself how?
FWIW, the frame I'm thinking of doing this too is a rigid Bonty Privateer.
Oops, crossing post
(added more info to my previous reply)
Why?
You could always try 650b if 29ers don't fit. All the advantages of 29er wheels with none of the disadvantages 😈
😆
Idle thought more than anything. I've got it as a SS at the moment and riding it last night I just had the thought that it seemed less enjoyable than the previous SS I had, which was a 29r (GF Rig).
So, I thought that might be down to the better 'rolling' aspects of a 29er being advantageous when using a SS as you can maintain momentum a bit better.
That got me onto the thought of whether I could just whack some 29er wheels into the Bonty frame.
. . if only a happy medium between the two existed . . .? 😀
I wouldn't even if they'd fit - it'll just be odd so if your objective is to have a more enjoyable riding bike I don't think you'll achieve it. That said, I'm sure you can get used to anything...
Yeah, I think for more enjoyable riding I might just whack some gears on 🙂
unless you've had it modified a Bonty Privateer won't have disc mounts so regardless of wheels physically fitting the brake bosses will be in the wrong place for 29er rims.
Yeah, it's been modded so is now running discs.
It's a lovely frame...
It's a lovely [u]26"[/u] frame...
I imagine you'd be pushing clearances. Tyres and wheels flex alterally and you probably don't want them rubbing on the frame. You'd be lifting the bb 1.5" higher up too.
leave it as is, why ruin a lovely frame?
I'm never ever ever ever selling my Bonty, it's perfect just the way it is.
use it as an excuse to get a 29er as well 😀