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Part of why I went with a Surly 1x1 last summer was because I had read that I could convert it into a 29er. So, after a failed experiment with an On*One Inbred (non-29er), I decided to give the 1x1 a whack at the 29er conversion.
I guess it kinda worked.
Disc 700c wheels were a must, so I got a relatively inexpensive set off Nashbar and took advantage of the Hayes MX2 mechanical disc brake sale over Christmas from Jenson. On 700c wheels, the 8" rotors don't look too large, do they. Brakes haven't burned in yet, so it'll take a few more rides before I get a real feel of them.
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On those wheels, I mounted a pair of Panaracer Fire Cross 700x45c tires. As you can see from the first picture, there's plenty of clearance, even with the side knobs trimmed off the rear tire (they were used tires off ebay). In the front, the 1x1 fork still has room to spare. I'm guessing the range of 2.1 tires available should be OK, front and back.
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I followed the advice given here, and went from a 34x20 on the original build-up to a 34x22 for this 29er setup.
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How's it ride? It rides remarkably well. I figured that the bike simply sits higher, no weird offsetting angles or what not. The conditions yesterday were sloppy, sloppier this, and even more sloppy. And I had an absolute blast. For one, the skinnier tires made it easier to wade through the muck than the 2.5 tires I usually sport. I don't know if it was the reduced gearing or the size of the wheels, but climbing seemed a bit easier. Before I even got on the bike, I was skeptical that it might not work or that I might hate the ride and have to go back to 26" wheels, or that the skinny tires would seem relatively harsh. Pleased to report that all presumptions were completely unfounded.
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Oh, and after all that, it's still lighter than my Inbred!
I guess it kinda worked.
Disc 700c wheels were a must, so I got a relatively inexpensive set off Nashbar and took advantage of the Hayes MX2 mechanical disc brake sale over Christmas from Jenson. On 700c wheels, the 8" rotors don't look too large, do they. Brakes haven't burned in yet, so it'll take a few more rides before I get a real feel of them.
On those wheels, I mounted a pair of Panaracer Fire Cross 700x45c tires. As you can see from the first picture, there's plenty of clearance, even with the side knobs trimmed off the rear tire (they were used tires off ebay). In the front, the 1x1 fork still has room to spare. I'm guessing the range of 2.1 tires available should be OK, front and back.
I followed the advice given here, and went from a 34x20 on the original build-up to a 34x22 for this 29er setup.
How's it ride? It rides remarkably well. I figured that the bike simply sits higher, no weird offsetting angles or what not. The conditions yesterday were sloppy, sloppier this, and even more sloppy. And I had an absolute blast. For one, the skinnier tires made it easier to wade through the muck than the 2.5 tires I usually sport. I don't know if it was the reduced gearing or the size of the wheels, but climbing seemed a bit easier. Before I even got on the bike, I was skeptical that it might not work or that I might hate the ride and have to go back to 26" wheels, or that the skinny tires would seem relatively harsh. Pleased to report that all presumptions were completely unfounded.
Oh, and after all that, it's still lighter than my Inbred!
Enjoy.
