alternate wheel compatibility? (switching from road to hybrid, 29er, etc)

[mayanorange]

So how does one figure out if a frame is capable of handling a wider wheelset? For example, if I get some cool old steel road bike off craigslist, could I put a wider 700c wheel in there to make it more of a hybrid/trail bike?

[SadieKate]

It depends. You have to research the frame itself (wheel diameters and tire clearance at the top of the seat stay and at the BB) PLUS the hub width and the brake arm length.

[mayanorange]

So saying there was clearance for the tire, you'd then need to maintain hub width and change out the brakes?

PS- what's the usual difference in wheel widths between the 3 applications (road, hybrid, 29er)?

[SadieKate]

You asking about rim width, not wheel width, so it depends on the rims you're using. You can have narrow rims or wide rims depending on the application. A 29'er usually refers to a mtn bike wheel so it would have wide rims but the diameter would be close to a 700c (not exact but close).

[Cataboo]

So how does one figure out if a frame is capable of handling a wider wheelset? For example, if I get some cool old steel road bike off craigslist, could I put a wider 700c wheel in there to make it more of a hybrid/trail bike?

You may not need a new wheelset, depending on how much room you have in the brakes and on the frame itself, you may be able to run 700x32 tires or something like that on an old cool steel frame.


Look at the cycocross tires.

But some frames don't have that much clearance.

[mayanorange]

Yes, I mean rim width.

So cyclocross/hybrid rims are the same width as road rims? I always thought they were wider since the tires are wider.

I'm pondering a frankenbike as a second bike. I'd like something like cyclocross functionality, but don't need the higher BB. I'd also probably use it as my commuter (and let DH have his mtn bike back), so like the idea of a lighter steel bike that's not too terribly beautiful (so it doesn't get swiped). It's just the glimmer of an idea, but there's some really cute mixtes on CL (like this (http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/1095369042.html)) and I was pondering if I could do wider rims or tires on one of those.

[Cataboo]

I run 700x28's on road bike wheels on my surly no problem and 700x32's should also fit on the rims...

However, if there's not enough room between the tubes of the bike & the rims, you can't fit a wider tire on there. That mixte looks like it'd be fine, because of all the room between the back tire & the seat tube - some of the modern bikes don't leave much room for bigger tires.

[mayanorange]

gotcha, my roadie is definitely one you could never put a wider tire on- those tiny buggers just barely don't hit the stays width-wise.

Thanks for the info, we'll see what I come up with!

[SadieKate]

Yes, I mean rim width.

So cyclocross/hybrid rims are the same width as road rims? I always thought they were wider since the tires are wider. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Just like frames, rims come in many flavors.

[mayanorange]

Okay guys, I didn't realize that older roadies (ie 70s) have 27in wheels, which are bigger than 700cs and have limited tire options. It seems if you have some adjustability in the brakes, you can get away with 700c wheels, but am I limited to a 700c that can only take a 5-6 speed? That'd be fine, but is this an obscure hub size? I guess some 90s 12 speeds I saw had 700c wheels, but haven't found one my size and I found this yummy Raleigh (http://www.e-barneys.com/barneysbicycle/ub/UB176.html)that I'm coveting. Is this a totally bad idea? I really love her lugs and chrome, but if it's going to cost me a ton in wheels, might no be worth it.

[Cataboo]

The rear hub on 8 speed and above wheels is 135 mm, I believe. I think some of the old 7 speeds are 135 mm with a spacer. Using long reach brakes or trading those might let you use 700c wheels on a 27" bike.

I've heard of people bending out the chainstays to fit a bigger hub in on older bikes but you'd probably need to have that done professionally.

[mayanorange]

Nevermind, Harris has cross type tires for 27" wheels! Harris Cyclery rocks!

They even have the Schwalbe Marathons with the reflective sidewalls! super excited!

[madscot13]

I'm going to consider switching out 27" wheels to 700c wheels for a friend. I don't think she will appreciate the hassle of a 27" wheel. I just have to see if I have to put on long reach brakes and if my old 700c wheel with shimano gears is compatible with the current set up. any thoughts?

[uforgot]

What hassles are you referring to? I have 27" wheels on my mixte. Wheels and tubes are easy to find. I've never really thought about it, but I see no reason to switch.

[madscot13]

finding the tires at local shops. When I was fixing this bike up 2 years ago I had to order the tires online. Tubes are not a problem.

plus I could get rid of the old wheels that aren't very true and look like a good re-chroming is in order

[mayanorange]

Yeah, but I think if I did the wheels, might as well put in a freewheel you can use indexed shifters on, which then requires new derailleur, etc, which opens a whole can of worms! Seems like most of our shops have some kind of 27 tires, but I'm in a town that loves it's old-schoolers! We'll have to see how well I do with the friction shifters (which I haven't touched since I was like 12 yrs old), then maybe I'll get into wheel changing, etc.

[madscot13]

Yeah, but I think if I did the wheels, might as well put in a freewheel you can use indexed shifters on, which then requires new derailleur, etc, which opens a whole can of worms! Seems like most of our shops have some kind of 27 tires, but I'm in a town that loves it's old-schoolers! We'll have to see how well I do with the friction shifters (which I haven't touched since I was like 12 yrs old), then maybe I'll get into wheel changing, etc.


yeah that is what I am afraid of!

[laura*]

It seems if you have some adjustability in the brakes, you can get away with 700c wheels, but am I limited to a 700c that can only take a 5-6 speed? That'd be fine, but is this an obscure hub size?

Hubs don't care what size wheel their laced to. Of course, hub width has changed (increased) over the years, and road rims changed from 27 inch to 700c. Thus, if you're looking for pre-built wheels, you won't find certain combinations. If you are OK with having wheels built (or can do it yourself), then you can create many more combinations.

[uforgot]

finding the tires at local shops. When I was fixing this bike up 2 years ago I had to order the tires online. Tubes are not a problem.

plus I could get rid of the old wheels that aren't very true and look like a good re-chroming is in order

Well, if the wheels already have problems, then that makes sense. I had a bike with those older 27" wheels and they are heavy also. My current 27" set is alloy, so no rust, they're fairly lightweight, so they are no problem. As for tires, I had to order online also, but Wallingford gets them there quickly.

Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

[madscot13]

Well, if the wheels already have problems, then that makes sense. I had a bike with those older 27" wheels and they are heavy also. My current 27" set is alloy, so no rust, they're fairly lightweight, so they are no problem. As for tires, I had to order online also, but Wallingford gets them there quickly.

Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.


thanks! Well I don't think my friend is a weight weenie and her current bike is a department store mountain bike so the weight can't be too different.

when I was imagining all of this I didn't imagine that I would have to change the derailleur if I changed the rear cogs, but now I am wondering if my old mountain hub would fit in the dropouts.

[mayanorange]

From what I've been reading, most older bikes has hubs maybe 126mm long at the most, where newer ones (your mtn hub) I think are 135mm, which would require bending out the stays. Depends on the individual parts I guess.