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is there any reason I can't do this?
would it make a marked difference?
Right now I'm having a hlluva time mounting and dismounting my bike. It is quite the show and one of the reasons I'm not exactly thrilled with the Pilot.
According to this article by Sheldon it can be of benefit to short people.
I don't know if you can do it or not, but if you can, I've got a set of these tires you can have. (They sent these instead of the plain sidewall tires I ordered, so they sent me the correct set and let me keep the wrong ones.)
The only issue is whether your brakes have enough reach.
If the brakes don't have enough reach, they can be simply swaped them out for longer reach calipers. Of course this would require purchasing new brakes, but if it lets you be more comfy on your bike it would be worth it. I know shimano makes a long reach side pull brake that is often used on touring bikes since they also give more room for wider tires. In fact, if I recall the trek pilots may have been equipped with these since I recall they do accomodate wider tires, but you'll need to check the specs. Which pilot do you have? Looking at them does it look like the brake pads can be adjusted further down?
oh what beautiful tires! go for it ZEN!
A quick google of trek pilot turned this up for the trek pilot 2.1 :
Brakeset Cane Creek 3 long reach w/Shimano 105 STI levers
I think the whole pilot series was equipped similarly. Go to the trek website, select your year, and model, and then detailed specs and see what it says about the brakes.
You may prefer 650C if you want skinny go fast tires, or I think Deb W has two wheelsets she interchages, a 650C and a 26" to accomodate a wider range of tire types. For each you'll need to adjust the position of the brake pads, but if you have the long reach calipers I think you'll be able to do it. It will also reduce toe clip overlap if that is an issue for you.
This is all I could find on trek archives-
2007 Pilot 1.2 WSD™
Frameset
Sizes Women's 43, 47, 51, 54, 57cm
Frame Alpha SL Aluminum
Fork Bontrager Satellite Plus, carbon
Wheels
Wheels Bontrager SSR
Tires Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase, 700x28c (43cm: 650x25c)
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano Tiagra STI, 9 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano Tiagra
Rear Derailleur Shimano 105
Crank Bontrager Select 52/42/30
Cassette Shimano HG50 12-25, 9 speed
Pedals Alloy/nylon road w/clips and straps
Components
Saddle Bontrager Select FIT Basic
Seat Post Bontrager Carbon
Handlebars Bontrager FIT VR w/BzzzKill damper inserts, 31.8mm
Stem Bontrager Select, 17 degree, 31.8mm
Headset Aheadset Slimstak w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset Alloy dual pivot w/Shimano Tiagra STI levers
Not much info for brakes. I'm going ask Brian at the BS
The difference between 700 and 650 wheels is 50mm in diameter. That means switching the wheels will lower you 25mm=1 inch. Is it worth it?
Hmmmm...one extra inch between my crotch and the top tube? I think it might be.
Could another option be to sell the bike you have and purchase one that fits you better? You might be able to get a good buy on a used bike, and have a better idea now what you are looking for in terms of size.
The thing is, I'm not sure this bike is not the right size for me or it's that my hip ROM is so limited.
I may test one size smaller and see.
Perhaps you are a good candidate for a mixte. Or if you think you just need another inch, then by all means consider the brake/wheel swap if you LOVE everything else a about the way your current bike fits. I would just worry that by the time you finish buying new brakes and wheels, you could have simply bought a diff. bike that better suits your needs.