650b Conversion

[konasaurus]

Hello Farkin.net

Apologies if this has been asked before!

I’ve got a really nice Salsa Ala Carte 26er frame. It runs a bit small on me, but I still love using it as a general cruiser and around-town bike. I currently jammed a 29er wheelset in there with 45c tires for fun, but it's definitely not a permanent setup.

I already have another 26er and a couple of 29ers in the stable, so I have those bases covered. I also have a pair of Chris King hubs and some 650b rims ready to build up, but I’m having second thoughts. Is converting this Ala Carte to 650b worth doing, or should I just stick with a proper 26" build?

Would love to hear your thoughts or experiences!

Pic of current set up attached

Cheers

 

[Justin Fox]

I think the 29er setup sounds perfect for a general cruiser and around-town bike!

I'm a lot shorter than you at 169cm and I don't get along with 29ers on the trails. I've done a lot of testing on my Specialized Chisel (check my PYR here). I've sized down on the frame and tried everything from plus sized 27.5 tyres, to full 29er XC tyres, to mullet and finally settling on 27.5 XC tyres front and back (it's all in the PYR thread).

 

[The Duckmeister]

Hello Farkin.net

Apologies if this has been asked before!

I’ve got a really nice Salsa Ala Carte 26er frame. It runs a bit small on me, but I still love using it as a general cruiser and around-town bike. I currently jammed a 29er wheelset in there with 45c tires for fun, but it's definitely not a permanent setup.

I already have another 26er and a couple of 29ers in the stable, so I have those bases covered. I also have a pair of Chris King hubs and some 650b rims ready to build up, but I’m having second thoughts. Is converting this Ala Carte to 650b worth doing, or should I just stick with a proper 26" build?

Would love to hear your thoughts or experiences!

Pic of current set up attached

Cheers

I don't think 584s will work in that bike; there's not much rear clearance as it is with the 559, and at the front, even if you have clearance under the lower leg bridge, there's a very high risk of the tyre fouling on the crown if you go deep into the fork's travel, and that can get messy.