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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Limbo
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    650B Retrofitting Benefits

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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.
    2008 Trek FX 7.2/Terry Cite X
    2009 Jamis Aurora/Brooks B-68
    2010 Trek FX 7.6 WSD/stock bontrager

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    MD suburb of Washington, DC
    Posts
    1,832
    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.)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    2,556
    The only issue is whether your brakes have enough reach.
    Oil is good, grease is better.

    2007 Peter Mooney w/S&S couplers/Terry Butterfly
    1993 Bridgestone MB-3/Avocet O2 Air 40W
    1980 Columbus Frame with 1970 Campy parts
    1954 Raleigh 3-speed/Brooks B72

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    San Antonio, TX
    Posts
    2,024
    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?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    8,548
    oh what beautiful tires! go for it ZEN!
    Mimi Team TE BIANCHISTA
    for six tanks of gas you could have bought a bike.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    San Antonio, TX
    Posts
    2,024
    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.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
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    Limbo
    Posts
    8,769
    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
    2008 Trek FX 7.2/Terry Cite X
    2009 Jamis Aurora/Brooks B-68
    2010 Trek FX 7.6 WSD/stock bontrager

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Olney, MD
    Posts
    3,063
    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?
    I'd rather be swimming...biking...running...and eating cheesecake...
    --===--

    2008 Cervelo P2C Tri bike
    2011 Trek Madone 5.5/Cobb V-Flow Max
    2007 Jamis Coda/Terry Liberator
    2011 Trek Mamba 29er

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Limbo
    Posts
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    Hmmmm...one extra inch between my crotch and the top tube? I think it might be.
    2008 Trek FX 7.2/Terry Cite X
    2009 Jamis Aurora/Brooks B-68
    2010 Trek FX 7.6 WSD/stock bontrager

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    San Antonio, TX
    Posts
    2,024
    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.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Limbo
    Posts
    8,769
    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.
    2008 Trek FX 7.2/Terry Cite X
    2009 Jamis Aurora/Brooks B-68
    2010 Trek FX 7.6 WSD/stock bontrager

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    San Antonio, TX
    Posts
    2,024
    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.

 

 

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