Bicycle Mechanics - 26" wheels on a road frame?

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toddw
11-01-05, 09:48 AM
Is there anyway to put 26" wheels on a road frame? I bring this up as I am following a thread on 650b wheel coversions onto a 700c old frame and it got me thinking if there was a way to experience a similar conversion without having to pony up to buying 650b wheels.

26" wheels are what 135 mm hubs? An old 700cc road bike is probably what 126mm? Could a steel frame split that difference?

I understand it would probably come down to brake pad reach -- if the frame had canti's could Vbrakes make it or if the frame didn't have cantis could a set of center pulls make it?

Thoughts?

MichaelW
11-01-05, 11:09 AM
26" wheels are used by a lot of modern touring frames using the 135mm OLD. These are mostly heavier duty expedition tourers, although there are some builders who can produce light, general purpose road bikes for 26" MTB wheels.
http://www.sjscycles.com/thornwebsite/xtc.html
Some frames come with an OLD of 133mm and are usable with road or MTB hubs .
The brake boss position of 700c is not compatable with 26" rims.
cs1
11-01-05, 12:05 PM
26" wheels are used by a lot of modern touring frames using the 135mm OLD. These are mostly heavier duty expedition tourers, although there are some builders who can produce light, general purpose road bikes for 26" MTB wheels.
http://www.sjscycles.com/thornwebsite/xtc.html
Some frames come with an OLD of 133mm and are usable with road or MTB hubs .
The brake boss position of 700c is not compatable with 26" rims.
You could also lace 26" rims to a road 130mm hub and it would fit fine. I agree that the brake boss probably not work. OTH, if you use long reach brakes, available from Shimano and Tektro, that might do the trick.

Tim