Recumbent - 406mm vs 451mm front wheels

Hi

what would be the difference in using a 451mm front wheel instead of a 406mm front wheel? i have heard that they are lighter and are much faster ...
would the v-brakes still work on a 451mm wheel even though it is set up for a 406mm?
would it fit into a normal BMX type front fork?

i don't have access to a 451mm wheel to try, and don't really want to order one in case it doesn't work!

current project (http://www.hoogie.co.nz/bikes/bentech.htm)

I'll state the obvious. The rim diameter of a 451 is 45mm larger than a 406, which means 22.5mm more above the axle and 22.5mm more below. So the rim alone is almost as big as a 406 WITH a Stelvio mounted. It's a good bet that brakes would not adjust far enough to compensate, and in fact I'd be very concerned that the larger rim/tire might not fit in the fork. 451 tires come in various widths from 7/8" to 1-3/8".

I'll state the obvious. The rim diameter of a 451 is 45mm larger than a 406, which means 22.5mm more above the axle and 22.5mm more below. So the rim alone is almost as big as a 406 WITH a Stelvio mounted. It's a good bet that brakes would not adjust far enough to compensate, and in fact I'd be very concerned that the larger rim/tire might not fit in the fork. 451 tires come in various widths from 7/8" to 1-3/8".

Ta muchly ... that is what i thought, but just in case there was something i wasn't aware of i thought i would check ...
i'll order a 406mm rim in the next few days ...

I've toyed with the idea of puting some 451 wheels on my Rans Rocket. They would fit, but I'd need to change to caliper brakes which means changing the levers as well. There may not be clearance for fenders, however.

Hi

what would be the difference in using a 451mm front wheel instead of a 406mm front wheel? i have heard that they are lighter and are much faster ...[/URL]

There are loads of blisteringly fast bents with 406 front wheels so I don't think the 406 is at any handicap with regards to the 451 for speed. The one thing I like about the 406 wheel size is that there is a large selection of tires for it - both performance & utility.

Hi

what would be the difference in using a 451mm front wheel instead of a 406mm front wheel? i have heard that they are lighter and are much faster ...
I read somewhere that Martin Gardner chose the 451 front for the Easy Racers because he liked how it looked better than the 406.

I've not ever heard it noted that as far as the rim diameter alone, the 451 was any significant improvement over the 406. What I do know is that there's not nearly as many rim and tire choices in 451, compared to the smaller size.
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