Sooooo many variables. It's worth remembering that tyres can vary a lot from manufacture to manufacture. I have an AM bike that I use Schwalbe Wicked Will 26x2.5 shoes on and they are massive. My Conti Race King in 27.5x2.2 is very close to the same diameter. The WW 2.5 is a big 2.5" and Schwalbe generally are big for their spec size. On the flipside, Conti's have always been no the smaller side of things. I tend to "convert" for running skinner and faster stuff on gravel and road, and use the fatties for the narrow track, AM and fire road stuff. So whether or not it will work, also depends on what you want to achieve. Heck I even have a set of 700C wheels with 35's on them for pure road if needed be.
I just kept watching. Not just because of the video but the aesthetically pleasing simple bikes you've got dude. Not rockin 1000000 shock absorbers and a specially designed body, just a simple frame and forks and dang it just look Hella classic and cool. Got a simple bike that looks just like the titanium. Simple stuff. But the colour on the Marin and the design just caught my eye. Amazing. Beautiful bikes
I don't understand the hate for 26 inch wheel bikes. To me they are fine, I kind of considered doing this but I think it would be a waste of money. If you just love to wrench, which I do, then I could see doing it for the fun of it but to think its going to be a game changer of some sort and worth it is probably not going to be the case. I agree with keep your 26er a 26er and go buy a 27.5er if you think it will make a difference of some kind. I tried a 29er and hated how big that pig was. Its like riding a monster truck to me and the real estate it takes up to store it is stupid lol. I'm still a 26er fan but If I were to buy a new mt bike I would probably go with a 27.5 bike though to be honest due to how tall I am, just not going to try this conversion on my older bike based on what I said above.
I agree. The way the industry pushes 29" and 27.5" wheels you'd think that we were all miserable and close to killing ourselves for those decades that we ran 26" wheels. Still, I have all 3 wheel sizes and after about 500m, they all feel right. I still ride 26". I also have a 26" that wasn't getting used so I have converted it to 27.5" x 2.1 for bikepacking purposes and can also fit 700x42c for longer gravel touring.
I agree like EVERYTHING 26" are DYING OUT and TIRE MANUFACTURERS are MAKING LESS and LESS 26" Tires and WHEELS so Making it harder on those of us who have a 26" inch wheels, and eventually we will be forced to upgrade.
I guess for me it's because i'm a fan of the oldschool mountainbikes geometry and aesthetics and am looking for a project to work on. Not a lot of 29ers in my price range that fit my purpose (offroad gravel type bikepacking) also at 6'5"" 26 inch wheels just don't make sense if you have the option to upgrade to a larger size. I guess it's also about the process. To me a bike is not just a bike, it's something personal, that fits you (and only you). Upgrading it like this makes it so that you have something truely unique
And no mud clearance. Probably best to stay with 26 in wheels. I have a 2009 Kona Kula. Nice ride with 26 in wheels and 2.3 in wide tyres and can fit mudguards. Great as a trail bike.
Nice bike, Lance👍👍; I see what looks like a 960 XTR rear derailer 👍👍. Other than an XTR 970 cassette with Hopefully the 4 L cogs being 6/4 Titanium, I'm an XT M770 and M772 fella😁. I've thought about making my 2006-07 Trek 4300 into a 27.5", but Trek d📨ed me back on Tw🐦tter saying it couldn't be done. I'd really like to go back to a set of Mavic's with their Mextal alloy🤘🤘 "YEAH❗️". And your Marin would look Great with a 7000 series aluminum Thomson Elite stem and post🤘🤘. Thomson also now does a coating more durable than powder coating. They put it on their 7000 series aluminum seatpost clamps, Masterpiece stems and post; and their 7050 aluminum riser bars.The Glac💧er ones looks really cool🤘🤘. And Titanium 🤘🤘
How is a 27.5 with smaller tires any different than a 26" with larger tires other than the side wall stiffness? Isn't the aspect ratio pretty much the same? Am I missing something?
I would say the 26 will be better at absorbing bumps but the 27.5 will be better at transferring power on smooth roads. Please take this with a grain of salt as I am just starting to learn about this stuff and I think the same way you do. When you compare 26 with wide profile, 27.5( also 650b) , 700c ( 28 something) and 29 er they can all do the same thing and overcome some deficiency by a tire choice
I went from a 2008 trek 820 26x2.2. To a 2021 trek marlin 7 XL on 27.5 inch and the 27.5 inch tires are smoother ride the 26x2.2 is kind of bumpy more ride so its worth it going from 26 to 27.5 for me its much better okay. Okay YALL
I have done the conversion 2 years ago on my trek 6500 (2006) and 80mm Fox Fork. I have enough clearance everywhere to fit Schwalbe Racing Ralphs 2.25". Was it necessary in hindsight? No. Would I do it again? Yes, if you are thinking of buying a new 27.5 frame/bike this is the cheapest way. A cheap 27.5" wheelset costed me about the same as two 26'er 4" tires!
@@anthonyattaway3437 Not all forks give you room, and I do not know If the frame is identical at the back. My advice is research the web and measure precisely how big you can go. And do not forget the width of the tyre;). Good luck!
@@therandomselection3936 I'm sure lots of folks have done cycle touring and long road trips on 26" wheels. If you are cycling in a group you don't want to be limited by your equipment, it's relative though and will also depend on the fitness, enthusiasm and riding style of the people you are riding with. Check your bike is in good mechanical order and set up correctly for comfort and carrying your things securely. Bring spares (eg inner tubes) I'd recommend fitting puncture resistant tyres and running the correct pressure. Do shorter practice rides to find what works best before setting off on an epic long ride.
@@Beesa10 thanks alot … I’ve already tried it my stamina is pretty good but the problem is speed mostly that’s why I’m considering maybe having ~ 26x1.6
@@therandomselection3936 Fitting narrow road/hybrid type tyres is definitely a good idea as it will help reduce rolling resistance and save a little weight. It will also slightly reduce the overall diameter of your wheels so fitting a larger front chainring as well (if possible) may be another relatively inexpensive change to help riding fast.
