650B 'validated'?

[RockCoach]

I've decided on skipping the 650b (27.5") wheel size and will probably wait until 32.5" hits our shores.

 

I've heard that it is really only your front wheel that needs to be bigger. You can get better acceleration with a smaller rear wheel and still get that smooth ride over rough stuff with a larger front wheel. The ideal is going to be over 100" front with only 20" at the back. Mark my words. It is the future baby.

Edited May 2, 2012 by slick

[Thug]

I've heard that it is really only your front wheel that needs to be bigger. You can get better acceleration with a smaller rear wheel and still get that smooth ride over rough stuff with a larger front wheel. The ideal is going to be over 100" front with only 20" at the back. Mark my words. It is the future baby.

 

I think a 100" is a little OTT but I think I'll organise a 36" front wheel and then use a 29" at the back.

[Zook]

The ideal is going to be over 100" front with only 20" at the back. Mark my words. It is the future baby.

 

Something like this, but with more tread on the tyres?

http://media-1.web.britannica.com/eb-media/88/6488-004-96D89FFF.jpg

[SwissVan]

I've heard that it is really only your front wheel that needs to be bigger. You can get better acceleration with a smaller rear wheel and still get that smooth ride over rough stuff with a larger front wheel.

.......Snipped

 

Honda tried that last century, some of the XR and XL range of offroad bikes had a larger dia front wheel.

Does not seem to have been continued tho....

[jimmy hardtail]

Ever heard of a penny farthing? 100 inch up front, 16 inch rear. History does tend to repeat itself...

[forkie]

Honda tried that last century, some of the XR and XL range of offroad bikes had a larger dia front wheel.

Does not seem to have been continued tho....

 

As far as I know all mx bikes ride a 21 inch at the front and a 19 inch at the back

[forkie]

The only thing Zombies fear are necrophiliacs.....

 

Necrophillia - the urge to crack open a cold one

[dev null]

To the experimentalists out there: what about a 26er frame with a 29er fork and wheel up front? Anybody ever bothered to try it. Will it actually work?

[ShawnMano]

 

i vote 36"

[El Dodgius Bastardo]

To the experimentalists out there: what about a 26er frame with a 29er fork and wheel up front? Anybody ever bothered to try it. Will it actually work?

 

They have, it's called a 69er...

[Guest Omega Man]

As far as I know all mx bikes ride a 21 inch at the front and a 19 inch at the back

Ja. and Enduro bikes run an 18. I think.

[CAAD4]

They have, it's called a 69er...

 

And it failed miserably

[Flowta]

And it failed miserably

 

Not true, I had a bike set up as a 69er and it was great.

[singletrek]

The 69er was not a popular seller, but it is really a sweet bike. I have 2 of them - one for training and one for racing. Handles beautifully and I use it mainly for xco.

 

I use it in the Gauteng xco provincials and the xcosa series. She is doing me well on the points log...And her name is Goofy

[Flowta]

The 69er was not a popular seller, but it is really a sweet bike. I have 2 of them - one for training and one for racing. Handles beautifully and I use it mainly for xco.

 

I use it in the Gauteng xco provincials and the xcosa series. She is doing me well on the points log...And her name is Goofy

 

 

Yes, Trek brought out the 69er as a model on it's own. I really liked it with the Maverick fork on the front. (If I can afford to get a wheel built up with a Maverick compatible hub, I will do it with my On-one 456 Summer Season)

 

Overseas lot's of guys are making "69ers" using the bikes they have, the one I "made" was a '93 Diamondback Apex with rigid fork. Was great

[Ceres]

Hi guys just converted my Pina to 650b the wheels fit perfectly just had to steal my wifes Fox fork and gave her my SID. Will be doing the Tru Cape this weekend so I will let you know how it goes. The only problem I might have is the tyres can't get UST or snakeskin tyres. The plus side is they are lite will be taking a tube with though.

 

The wheels are American Classic 650b which are about 1700g.

Got Racing Ralph tyres 540g each.

 

Here is a pic of the bike.