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Sorry if it's REALLY dense guys,
But i'm looking to do some commuting to work and love the Giants frame/geometry etc. However don't want to destroy my quite expensive rubber. So.. i was looking at getting some 29er wheels... but DAMN they're expensive... So...can i run 26ers ?
I can get some 26" wheels with cassette, tyres and discs for less than just the wheels on a 29".
I'm not really worried about rolling speed etc for the commute...
Assuming it's using disc brakes, yes. Might look a bit funny.
Oh, and the geometry will change as the wheelbase will be (a bit) shorter
Since 29er and roadie are same tyre size, just getting cheap hybrid/touring tyres would be miles cheaper than new wheels?
IHN, not too worried about that, it's only for getting to the office and back.
cheap 29er wheels:
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Wheels/Mountain+Bike+Wheels/Sale+Wheels/Pair+Shimano+Deore+Disc+-+Cannondale+Rims+-+29er+Wheels_29ER-WHEELS.htm
midlifecrashes - MemberSince 29er and roadie are same tyre size, just getting cheap hybrid/touring tyres would be miles cheaper than new wheels?
Been doing just that for the last year with my inbred 29er to commute to work on, fitted some CX tyres, BB is lower but not a problem for commuting.
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Oh, and the geometry will change as the wheelbase will be (a bit) shorter
I don't get how changing wheelsize changes the wheelbase? The distance from dropout to dropout remains the same doesn't it? bb will be lower though.
wheelbase will be (a bit) shorter
No it'll be identical.
2" Lower BB (assuming you use 1.8's to comute ans 2.3's offroad) and different rake/trail though.
Are new wheels really cheeper than £50 for a set of tyres?
IA,i know mate but i need a 15mm front. Rang Merlin to ask if they'd fit one but they said nopes.
wheelbase will be (a bit) shorterNo it'll be identical.
I don't get how changing wheelsize changes the wheelbase? The distance from dropout to dropout remains the same doesn't it?
er, yes, correct
different rake/trail though
That's what I meant 😳
But yeah, cheapy tyres seems a much better bet.
yes but changing tyres is a lot more hassle than changing wheels.
Why not try and get some 700cc wheels with disc brake hubs ?
Ie CX or road rat wheels or something like that
Check tyre clearance (as the tyre won't be where the frame is designed for it to be). Should be fine though if you're using skinny tyres.
Are new wheels really cheeper than £50 for a set of tyres?
No, but overall swapping tyres each time is what's thought of by me as too much hassle. For example, if i commute etc then it means if i'm out the next day i've got to whip the wheels/tyres off and fit others... etc...
I could also do what kinda makes sense and just run something like the Maxxis Aspen i also have and pump them hard and just wear them down...I then have the choice of taking some dirt stuff on the way home if i so choose...
Dunno really...just weighing up ideas and options.
275 would get one of merlin's own brand cheapy road bikes at the mo...(or likely something similar elsewhere, I used to use a cheapy decathlon that was decent)just get a commuter and save the MTB from the road salt etc etc?
Depending on your budget but I've just bought some 29er wheels from On-One for £150 last week, for a 15mm front axle.
I don't understand why they can be so expensive? They're just standard 700c rims and mountain bike hubs. You can get both dirt cheap second hand. Am I missing something?
Yes you can run 26" wheels in theory but you'll find the geometry has gone all weird and the bike maybe lowered so much you're bashing the pedal on the ground.
How about a cheap road bike...
Just sold a barely used Roadie for £75. Doesn't get any cheaper... however i don't get on with roadie riding position.
I was even considering this from Halfords
I got a set of second hand road wheels for 20quid. There are tonnes of cheap 700c rims around. There are also loads of shimano mountain bike hubs around (people upgrade to Hope or similar). Or 26" wheels...
Put the two together, add spokes, rotors (& washers) and build price. Sell on the bits you don't want.
I cannot believe that you are struggling to sort out a disc wheel set for less than a whole bike!
What ander up there said. £149 gives you the wheelset that fits.
No, but overall swapping tyres each time is what's thought of by me as too much hassle. For example, if i commute etc then it means if i'm out the next day i've got to whip the wheels/tyres off and fit others... etc...
Or just accept that you'll get through an extra set in a year? It'll mainly be the caenter of the rear that wears anyway, which seems to do the least work gripping.
£150 for wheels, or spend £50/year more on tyres fpr 3 years, and a fresh excuse for trying new rubber out.