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Anyone running 29" up front 27.5" rear?

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BykerMike

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I was riding back when 29" tires were starting to emerge. At that time 26" wheels were the only standard and 69ers became somewhat common. Obviously this raised the bb and slackened the bike quite a bit due to the differences in wheel diameter. Still, people swore by it at that time as "best of both worlds". It seems with 27.5 and 29 it would be a less dramatic change in geo, but I don't see anyone doing it.

I thought about putting this in one of the wheel size forums but couldn't decide which one it would fit in. So in general it goes.

Thoughts?
 
#4 ·
http://forums.mtbr.com/29er-bikes/96er-69er-picture-thread-241186.html

nothing new. smaller rear tire accelerates faster and is easier to wheelie and the bigger front has more traction and rollover ability. I see no reason not to other than the possibility that it will mess up the geometry of the frame.

If I had the time and budget to experiment, I would love to take an older 26" singlespeed frame, put a long A-C rigid fork on it and drop bars. Monstercross singlespeed 6-9er!
 
#12 ·
BykerMike said:
I was riding back when 29" tires were starting to emerge. At that time 26" wheels were the only standard and 69ers became somewhat common. Obviously this raised the bb and slackened the bike quite a bit due to the differences in wheel diameter. Still, people swore by it at that time as "best of both worlds". It seems with 27.5 and 29 it would be a less dramatic change in geo, but I don't see anyone doing it.

I thought about putting this in one of the wheel size forums but couldn't decide which one it would fit in. So in general it goes.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
The difference 650b to 29 (1" radius) is actually larger than the difference 26 to 650b (0.5"). I have used a 650b front with 26 rear on my HD3 and it was fine with a 150 fork in front. Hard to tell the difference actually. I went back to the 650b mostly because the wheel (a DT XMC 1200) was so much nicer. Liteville has production bilkes with 650b/26, 29/650b, 29/29. "Best of both worlds" is kind of industry nonsense in my book, you use the set up that works for you ... ;)
 
#14 ·
Foes has been producing the Mixer for over a year now. Awesome bikes. Check out the Foes and All Mountain forums. Also several thorough reviews by Mountain Bike Action, Pink bike and others. Not just a 29'er or a 27.5 bike with an alternative wheel slapped on. They designed the geometry around the mixed sized wheels and got it right!
 
#17 ·
My SJ Fattie is configured that way which I really like. Has the LB 29" 50mm in the front and 650B 50mm at the rear, bike rides real good in cornering and easier for me to climb hills, perhaps due to the head angle. I'm also able to ride over bigger obstacles without worrying that my BB will contact. I'm also getting much less pedal striking which I really like.
 
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