96er conversion

[kmdmac]

this may mean I'm nuts, but thinkin' about putting a 100mm travel 29er fork & wheel on a 26" full sus rig. it' an XL, plenty of tire clearance, frame is rated for a 160mm travel fork.

obviously, geometry gets slack, front end is tall but all this is fine in my case.

what does anyone think? pros and cons invited.

kmd

[C.P.]

Sounds good to me. Especially if you're already running a 130mm fork (is it your heckler?) If so, the fact that it's an XL, means it will probaby be a good fit. Take a measurements of your handlbar height(from floor) and reach(bar to front tip of seat) before removing the 26fork/26 wheel/tire combo, and when the 29fork/29er wheel is mounted up, find a stem that puts the bar in the same position (height wise - and keeping with the same reach). I bet it will be a nice riding set-up. Edit...Did a few calcs, and it seems to me that the seat tube angle shouldn't change too much at all...if it's off, it will be very little, and you could adjust sag on the rear, to get it closer...

[bdee]

You're not nuts, everyone needs a Winter project ;) I just bought a brand new 1X1 frame and fork (and Hugi/Velocity wheels) super, super cheap that is going to be my 96er project over the winter. I have all the parts, I just need a tugnut and discs and it'll be ready to build.

[ArmOnFire]

You're not nuts, everyone needs a Winter project ;) I just bought a brand new 1X1 frame and fork (and Hugi/Velocity wheels) super, super cheap that is going to be my 96er project over the winter. I have all the parts, I just need a tugnut and discs and it'll be ready to build.

Did you get the green one?

kmdmac

It sounds like your 96er will work nice, I had a XL GF Cake that I thought about doing this too, then I finally sold it.

-Dan

[heckler]

Without doing any calculations it seems like it should work. if you already have a 130 fork on it but it was designed for a 160, you are already riding with a head angle about 1 degree steeper than intended. going to a 100 (with the same 26" wheel would add another degree. going to the 29" you give both those back (and maybe a bit more?) So, you end up with a slightly slacker head angle that it was designed for (but quite a bit slacker than you now have)- a bit slower turning but with the larger wheel you will roll over the stuff you hit! :)

My only big concern is pedal clearance. by going shorter and by putting on that much larger wheel you will be bringing it much closer to the BB and your pedals. You might end up with some overlap with your shoe which would be a bad thing in technical riding!

[bdee]

Did you get the green one?

kmdmac

It sounds like your 96er will work nice, I had a XL GF Cake that I thought about doing this too, then I finally sold it.

-Dan

Yeah the green one on Ebay with the matching wheels - I got it on a second chance offer.

[kmdmac]

OK, next ?:
QR or 20mm?

2nd?:
will the additional 3" of wheel dia make up for the reduction in fork travel?

[C.P.]

OK, next ?:
QR or 20mm?

2nd?:
will the additional 3" of wheel dia make up for the reduction in fork travel?

QR should be fine Kev.

To answer 2nd ?, it will depend on Axle to crown of the fork you select, since they differ (slightly)...what fork do you have on the bike right now? what 29er forks are on yor wish list?

[heckler]

Are you asking about bar height, head angle or medium hit capabilities? Obviously you would miss the travel if you were doing drops.

[kmdmac]

talking about medium hit capabilities.

i don't do big drops. current fork is a Talas 85-125mm. usually run it @ 110mm of travel. fork that i have my eye on is White Bros' Magic 29er 100mm.

mostly looking for what 29er converts have to say about going from a traditional 26" sus fork to a rigid 29er. see if they miss the travel or if the bigger wheel makes up for some of that.

issues of bar height, geo, etc, i'm good on what to do there.

[C.P.]

If I rode the 29er SS like I normally ride my 26er full suspension bike, I would definitely miss having suspension.


mostly looking for what 29er converts have to say about going from a traditional 26" sus fork to a rigid 29er. see if they miss the travel or if the bigger wheel makes up for some of that.

Edit, so yeah, the bigger wheel makes up for some of that, but not a lot...

'Dont know a thing about those White forks, but the setup you're aimin' for sounds pretty good. I'll be watching closely to see how it works out.

[Quo Fan]

I rode a Carver 96'er rigid at Pedro's, and I didn't miss suspension at all. The 96'er rode like it had about an inch of suspension. Rode over stuff well.

Unfortunately, it was raining when I rode it, and wet roots and wet rubber have no traction. I also didn't care for the chiose of tires, but 29" tires are somewhat limited.

[bdee]

I'm wrapping up the 1x1 build this week - already put a 29er wheel/tire up front and it looks good. Plenty of room in the 1x1 fork. I'm going to ride it as a 26er, 96er and then try it with 29er wheels front and back. I've heard the 1x1 rips as a 29er. I'll probably try to spend a few rides on it in each configuration. BTW - the new (for '06) green color is really, really nice. I was surprised how cool it looks in person. All I need now is a ring and bashguard and it'll be rideable - hopefully for Sunday.