Forced 69er?

[0gravity]

OK, so I readily admit this may be a dumb question but I'll ask anyway. Can a 26er hardtail frame be built up into a 69er (regular 26 wheel in the back but a 29 wheel and fork up front)? A buddy of mine is clearing out a bunch of gear before a move and is generous enough to give me a somewhat old, but very nice and light hardtail Klein frame. I might build it up as a super light XC race rig or maybe a SS. And while the options are wide open, I thought I'd ask whether it's even possible to make it a 69er. I assume the rear geometry, without a question, won't allow a 29" wheel, but it seems the front could take it. I'm not even certain it's what I'd want to do but thought it was worth considering. (that's the frame below)

[SAR_boats]

On theory alone yes it will take a niner fork and wheel

The biggest question is what size suspension or rigid fork was the bike designed for? If it was designed for a 100mm suspension fork or above then I would say yes it will accept a 29er front as long as it is a rigid or very short travel fork.
The thing to keep in mind is you are adding 1.5 inches to the front of the bike and slackening out the geometry. Too slack and it will handle like crap and put stress on the frame where it isn't supposed to have stress.
Even assuming it was designed for a longer travel fork you will still slacken the geometry. I would make every effort to counteract this by running a smaller diameter tire in front and the biggest you can get away with in the rear.

If the frame was designed for a rigid fork or a less than 80mm suspension fork then I wouldn't try the conversion.

[dubjay]

It certainly is possible, but whether or not it's a good idea is a completely different matter. It really depends on the frame and what type of fork it's spec'd for.

A 29er wheel will bring up the front end by at least 1.5" given that you can stuff it in the same fork. That might cause some geometry issues. If you can find perhaps a shorter travel 29er fork with similar axle-to-crown measurements as the current 26" fork, that might be ok.

Then again, I don't know if any toe rub issues would come into play or not.

[Kid A]

i say go for it


btw - which klein frame. i used to ride with 2 guys that both had altitude frames and loved them. pretty sweet looking as well. real nice 2 tone paint jobs and i think cabling was inside of tubes.

[0gravity]

So it sounds like it's definitely possible to do, but what's less clear to me is whether this is even something I'd want to do. If I built up a fast XC race rig, I'd probably stick with 26er.

Frame is an Altitude Race, XL (I'm just over 6'1" so it'll fit)

What I'm getting is just the frame, headset, front derailer, so I'd have to buy a fork anyway, whether I went with a
big hoop up front or not.

[dstepper]

I got a Karate Monkey Fork for sale $50, if you want to give it a try. Has disk taps. Find a wheel and you will be ready to roll.

You joining Matt and I tomorrow to ride the Merrill's?

Dean

[SAR_boats]

If you are interested, I will be getting a 9er suspension fork soon. You can borrow the rigid fork that is on my Q-Ball 29er ("Felix") to see if you like it..

[0gravity]

Thanks Sar_Boats but if I think I'll go that route, I'll probably take up D_Stepper on his....

[SAR_boats]

Ok. By the way, your kung foo is not strong enuf

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by 0gravity

Thanks Sar_Boats but if I think I'll go that route, I'll probably take up D_Stepper on his....

dont forget the easton (monkey lite)