I have a 2008 Brodie Mettle FS xc mtb and I want to modify the seat stay to better accommodate a 650B rear wheel and tire. A 650B wheel and 2.25 Racing Ralph tire fits as is but is too close to ride comfidently without potential rubbing issues from flexing, rim warp/out of true or mud. Front Fox fork fits 650B no problem.
If the axle location was moved back 1/2" or less, and/or other modifcations were made to the seat stay, it would most likely allow the bike to run 650B in the rear without concern of rubbing. The effective chain stay length is 16.73 so for a 26" bike it is not too long. Lengthening the cs length 1/2" won't make it any longer than what I have seen on many actual 650B bicycles, so I think this is worth a try. Also, the bb height wfter putting on 650B wheels would be similar to an actual 650B bicycle so again, it shouldn't be too out of wack, and since I am only modifying an extra removable replaceable part, it's not risking anything except money for the part and mod. The separate seat stay is only $100 ($125 with bearings) and if modifying the part is a disaster and/or is un-successful, it's only a loss of the part and money spent working on it. My bicycle remains intact.
With this project in mind, can anybody recommend a place who does frame repair and custom modifications of the kind I want to do? I have found a few places on the net and I will continue to do research myself.
thanks in advance for any info,
If the axle location was moved back 1/2" or less, and/or other modifcations were made to the seat stay, it would most likely allow the bike to run 650B in the rear without concern of rubbing. The effective chain stay length is 16.73 so for a 26" bike it is not too long. Lengthening the cs length 1/2" won't make it any longer than what I have seen on many actual 650B bicycles, so I think this is worth a try. Also, the bb height wfter putting on 650B wheels would be similar to an actual 650B bicycle so again, it shouldn't be too out of wack, and since I am only modifying an extra removable replaceable part, it's not risking anything except money for the part and mod. The separate seat stay is only $100 ($125 with bearings) and if modifying the part is a disaster and/or is un-successful, it's only a loss of the part and money spent working on it. My bicycle remains intact.
With this project in mind, can anybody recommend a place who does frame repair and custom modifications of the kind I want to do? I have found a few places on the net and I will continue to do research myself.
thanks in advance for any info,
