Mountain Biking - Using smaller wheel to offset a bigger fork.

Has anybody tried using a 24' front wheel so to be able to use a longer travel fork than they could otherwise use?

By my reckoning you could run an extra 30-40mm upfront. Would this have an adverse handling effects?

I have seen it done. I don't think it would be worth it...the offset 'ride' of the small wheel wouldn't be worth the longer travel in my eyes.

Humm, I suppose it would all depend on the forks. Lets say you where going to go from a 130 MX comp to a 170 Jr T with the aim of doing more agresive riding. Would you say that is worth it?


I'm not contemplating doing this myself, I'm just curious as to whether it can be done or if its worth doing.

It can be done.

I doubt it is worth the money.

And the tiny wheel (which would limit rolling speed and your ability to ride obstacles) would probably be evenly offset by the longer fork. However that longer fork would have more negative travel, be more saggy and generally not great for trails. I guess it depends on your own use. But my trails (dh or otherwise) are to technical for *me* to ride small front wheels.

That said, 24" wheel is stronger. So I guess if this was a pure hucking street bike, why not. It might work. I knew a short dhiller who did this. But he ran dual 24's. It suited the bike, his riding and his size.

I never considered it limiting the speed. Surley with a decent Hub it could roll just as fast as a 26? After all isn't it the rear that provides the power and therefore speed?

I've heard of DH's using a 24 rear to give better acceleration at the price of top straight line speed. However I just asumed that you would lose little, if no speed, when used on the front.

I only really askings as I've seen loads of "pimped" bikes with overly big forks on the front. It led me to think about what could be done to put the geometry back in order. I suppose that if your where one really vain *expletive* you could do it, but from your replys it seems that unless you where a vain *expletive* theres nothing really to be gained from it.

Oh yea,do it. That would be awsome.

your front would brake harder too......

By my reckoning you could run an extra 30-40mm upfront.

My calculations say 26" minus 24" divided by 2 = 1" => 25.4 mm.

And it would indeed adversely affect your ability to roll over or through stuff, not to mention severely limiting your tire selection.

My calculations say 26" minus 24" divided by 2 = 1" => 25.4 mm.

And it would indeed adversely affect your ability to roll over or through stuff, not to mention severely limiting your tire selection.
Don't worry about all that crap,do it. Send us pics of the cras......err, bike while your riding.

Don't worry about all that crap,do it. Send us pics of the cras......err, bike while your riding.


I did say I wasn't considering it, only wondering if it could be done. Don't expect any pics for a long, long time. Perhaps or more likely never...

I did say I wasn't considering it, only wondering if it could be done. Don't expect any pics for a long, long time. Perhaps or more likely never...

Where's the fun in that??? :p

Where's the fun in that??? :p

There is no fun in it.
:p

this is how my buddy's morphine looked not too long ago. he recently put on a sc fork on it though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v711/ht4life/NonDriveFront.jpg

How did it ride for him?

he liked it. the thing was a beast though. he used it for pretty much everything. i posted a shot of him dj'ing on it in the huck thread.

It looks a beast. It looks sweet. :D

dont bother.. 24" up front makes it much harder to ride, and gains you nothing