Folding Bikes - Touring on a Twenty

The idea struck me when I was reading about the worlds most travelled man on the Bike Friday site.

Ive been itching to get my hands on a Raleigh Twenty for a little while now, hopefully by monday ill score a cheap project one to fiddle with. Originally it was intended as the all-around bike. Groceries, something for my girlfriend to ride around on occasionally, and travel (popping to see friends in another town, etc.). At the same time ive been looking into building another bike for some touring, something stable and strong enough to carry all my camping gear and still handle well and not be torture to ride.

I got to thinking, the twenty is touted as having a "bulletproof" hinge mechanism, takes a rack front and back (ill make it, if it doesnt) and looks like it would have a low enough centre of gravity to make it handle great at speed when it loaded down. It would fit on a coach bus or train better than a full hybrid or lightweight, and would fit easier into my canoe as well. Why not kill two purposes with one bike, and set up the twenty as a grocery mule, and convert it to a tourer when I need to?

Any thoughts on taking a twenty for a two-to-four day ride, packed with about 40-50 pounds of gear? And what about the three-speed hub? It gets a little hilly up North here. Will it be strong enough to do the job?

Speed isnt a huge issue, if I can make 100km a day im happy. Can that little bike pull it off?

Im calling on your esteemed knowledge, your input is much appreciated!

(oh and dont bother recommending a dahon or a bike friday, this is about the twenty, thanks!)

I'm planning to do some on my newly acquired Twenty. The upgrades I have planned and in process are:

1) Gearing. 46 tooth front (maybe the original crank) and the "double sprocket" trick in the back with a 16 paired with a 22 for a bail-out gear for hills, both on the SA AW 3-speed hub.

2) Better front brakes. I cut the head-tube down and installed a 20" MTB fork with a threaded headset. Then canti-brakes on an aluminum rim. I have a quill stem steerer extender and a tall quill stem for it to get the height to a manageable level.

3) Racks. I have my doubts about the Plescher original rear, but I haven't decided yet about its replacement. The front can be a canti-stud mounted MTB rack, cut to 20".

The rims and wheels and SA hub are plenty strong, IMO.

I'm planning to do some on my newly acquired Twenty. The upgrades I have planned and in process are:

1) Gearing. 46 tooth front (maybe the original crank) and the "double sprocket" trick in the back with a 16 paired with a 22 for a bail-out gear for hills, both on the SA AW 3-speed hub.

3) Racks. I have my doubts about the Plescher original rear, but I haven't decided yet about its replacement. The front can be a canti-stud mounted MTB rack, cut to 20".

The rims and wheels and SA hub are plenty strong, IMO.

Do you mean running two sprockets side by side on the same threading? sounds genius, turn that SA into a six speed, tell me how that works out i may just consider it.

Wheel-wise I had the same thought, smaller wheels tend to be plenty strong, and the BMX world has some pretty bombproof ones if the stock doesnt work out well I think.

What are you thinking for handlebars? Im thinking drops, would give a few more positions to play with while on a long journey, and would give me a stronger push on uphills. I havent seen the twenty up for sale yet, but it sounds like its in decent shape, i wont know unfortunately what i need to do on it until i see it, but i definately need a new chain and some tlc to begin with.

Click on Jur's link. He's the R20 touring expert.

" The idea struck me when I was reading about the worlds most travelled man on the Bike Friday site."

Link, please. Are they talking about Heinz Stucke? I met him years ago in NYC.

Link:

http://bikechina.com/ct-heinzstucke1z.html

yeah stucke! he has the bike friday now, such a brilliant way to live a lifetime eh. how was he in person?

whereabouts is jurs link? could be staring me in the face, i apologize

The dual drive on my other Twenty "Grace"... it gives me a great 6 speed gear range (32-72 gear inches) and no overlap with 12.5 % jumps between gears.

Since the chain ring on a P20 is a 3/32 I used 2 Shimano 3/32 cogs (16/18) in place of the 1/8 SA cog and spacers, used a Suntour derailer, and a thumbie to handle the rear shifting duties. Some small modifications had to be made to the d hanger to get it to work well.

I took her on a group ride a few weeks ago and folks were having trouble hanging on to my back wheel on some steep climbs where I never had to get out of the saddle and could spin my way up which was good since I am not up to standing climbs yet.

She's nearly as fast as her partner.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/P20Gracedual2.jpg

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/P20Gracedual3.jpg

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/gracecommute2.jpg

did you get new bars on her? she looks different.

and hrm that sounds a lot easier than i expected, ill have to take a shot at it once i get the damn thing.

right now theres some n00b trying to pawn one for 120, but he knows apparently little about bikes and less about their value, its rusty and a little tattered, and 120 bucks. Im going to take a look over and convince him there are horrible problems with it, and try to get it for half that =D.

I poked through Sheldons and Jurs sites and found my touring idea stronger and stronger. I think I am definately going for it. Im picking up a cheap and ugly, but large set of panniers for twenty bucks soon as well.
Im a very light packer, so for a weeks journey I think I can pack most everything into the 28L worth of pannier with the sleeping bag on top of it all, and perhaps another small set of panniers for the front for the water, and bits and bobs. For now I think ill be pretty comfortable, even when i become canoe-born. The cargo really helps when youre soloing.

Im going to investigate some manner of portaging the canoe with the bike. Can you imagine? That would make life so easy.

free - I have two Phillip's 20's ... Grace just got set up for commuting and utilitarian riding and at some point I plan to add a hitch for my trailer since she has the gearing for it and if she doesn't, I have bigger cogs.

:)

One issue I found with my larger paniers is that with the short stays on the Twenty kicking them was a problem... running smaller paniers in the rear and the same up front might address this.

I think ill be replacing the original rack with something higher to prevent the heel-strike,

And its bloody hard to find one in Toronto! They've become fashionable, and thats the death of value. Im still poking around, but hey if I can get it for sixty bucks, thats worth as much as three hours of time looking for a free one (a likely trashed free one).

Hey freecycle,
I think you could do a lot worse than use a twenty for touring. I started riding my Twenty when I weighed about 260lbs and it handled fine. I believe you can get a front mount rack at Nashbar that will fit your Twenty. Good luck in scoring one,
Juan

Hey freecycle,
I think you could do a lot worse than use a twenty for touring. I started riding my Twenty when I weighed about 260lbs and it handled fine. I believe you can get a front mount rack at Nashbar that will fit your Twenty. Good luck in scoring one,
Juan

Wow, thanks for that endorsement! Im seeing one Monday, so fingers crossed for good condition.

Twenty's are hellishly strong bikes and with 20 inch wheels can carry more and take more abuse than a conventional touring bike.

The most crucial changes one needs to make is to change out the wheels for alloy versions and at the very least, change the front wheel... they have some of the poorest wet braking of any bikes which stems from long reach calipers, steel rims, and a very high rolling speed on those wheels.

My fixed Twenty was down to 27 pounds before I pout the fenders back on and added the new Brook's saddle and when I replace the fork and get an alloy stem and bars I should be able to bring to back to that lower weight although it is by no means weighty.

I can also see it as being a decent tourer.

This is creepy, http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/655799939.html

Its like the fates are telling me to go touring on a twenty. What do you think? Sounds like a sweet deal to me.
And panniers are arriving tonight or tomorrow, will provide impressions.

Oh and sixty? Dibs. You aint getting the fork by airmail from under MY nose. :D:p

With the 20 by 1.95 tyres I am running both folders I am opting to use a rigid fork as even at maximum pressure they roll fast and are great at sucking up the bumps.

If I was going to run high pressure 451's a suspension fork would be essential.

With the 20 by 1.95 tyres I am running both folders I am opting to use a rigid fork as even at maximum pressure they roll fast and are great at sucking up the bumps.

If I was going to run high pressure 451's a suspension fork would be essential.

Ah its shot anyway, its a short steerer tube and he has a buyer. It probably would have been a jerry rigging of high proportion to get a rack on that thing too. I just hope after a long day on iffy roads my arse wont be completely numb :D

Fat tires and a Brooks saddle, maybe a sprung one. I went shopping on my "new" (40 yrs old) folder today. One tyre is 1.75, one is 2.00. Old sprung saddle. Soft as anything. Actually a small problem that the thing started "bouncing". You get the feeling the wheels is not round if you know what I mean. Plenty soft enough. I am planning on one or two more of this kind, no heavy forks on my bikes when it can be done this easy.

Another thing about the Twenty is it's hella flexible. Just this aft'noon I was angle-grinding off the brake bridge of my own project bike so it can take bigger rims. Seems it can fit even a 28" (bigger than 700c) wheel at the back should your whim go that way. So you could have a bombproof tourer with big wheels if that was your whim if you can lose the bridges and find a compatible fork.
This whim is obviously including very high BB height for zero pedal stikes *ever* :)

So you did start Lil'Pixel? :)

A person who I am suprised hasn't chimed in on this thread is Stevegor. He tours a ton on his R20. In fact I think he also is starting a build on another one.

R-20's : Ya gotta love a bike that gives so many option...

come check the progress...
http://web.mac.com/phatatude/Green_Space/Raleigh_Twenty_Blog/Raleigh_Twenty_Blog.html

Another thing about the Twenty is it's hella flexible. Just this aft'noon I was angle-grinding off the brake bridge of my own project bike so it can take bigger rims. Seems it can fit even a 28" (bigger than 700c) wheel at the back should your whim go that way. So you could have a bombproof tourer with big wheels if that was your whim if you can lose the bridges and find a compatible fork.
This whim is obviously including very high BB height for zero pedal stikes *ever* :)

That immediately made me think of 24 inch rims with fat road tires. Brilliant! :D That high a bb would lend itself well to the odd lookout trail or day-hike from the campsite through the woods (with correct tires of course).

Im getting antsy, there are very few twenties left in toronto in decent shape that arent a little overpriced and i really want to get a week in fiddling with the frame and seeing what its capable of. The one i saw had a shredded bb and SA 3-speed, wasnt worth 120 bucks covered in gold plate.

Anyone want to start mailing me the unused bits off their parts bikes? i need a frame, a crank would be nice, mebbe some bars and a seatpost? anyone? :D

The 24 inch conversion has intrigued me thinking that a folding mountain bike would be a kick to ride and the Twenty's frame can handle this... it would of course have to be an SS.

:D

So you did start Lil'Pixel? :)

I guess I did - Angle-grinders rock!
I got all the paint off with a blow-torch and wire brush, removed the kickstand fitting, pump-mounts, chainguard bracket and brake and chainstay bridges. The back can now fit a 28" wheel with about 1 1/2 inches to spare, if one was so inclined, though that would be overkill I feel - 650c or 26" MTB or Iso 520 (24") is likely a better fit.

Oh and I removed most of the headtube below the junction with the top-tube so it can accept 24" forks without having silly chopper-bike steerer angle. It looks rocking in it's dull steel with bright filed bits haha.

Plans: to have a shot at the inspired three-thread UN-54 bb fix posted the other day - looks like a good one. See how 650c wheels will go and if not then maybe look at 520s. Erm. Think about gearing options and whether to go retro with NOS vintage parts (If it's to be like the Team Pro visuals you've seen then it should be Campag Record really) or modern on the groupset. Front derailleur?

I need to find someone that can braze in a new brake bridge - possibly on the chain rather than seat-stays, as well as get a compressor for my 80s airbrush so I can have a stab at painting it all with no decals once I have all the bits I need.

That immediately made me think of 24 inch rims with fat road tires. Brilliant!

I think it'd be up for the job but you'd have to move/replace the bridges in the rear triangle to retain the integrity. I think for a 'roady' conversion you might not need to (Track bikes don't always seem to need bridges) but on something that's gonna plug a bit of mud you'd want to have as much stiffness as possible.

Also - and I'm sure you've already thought of this - but the stays narrow as they taper to the seat tube so you may not be able to fit the fattest of tyres. I'd be looking to find the 24" equivalent of Cyclocross tyres - ie not madly fat but with the nobblies you need on the edges. Even if a fat tyre does fit there's the clearance it needs should it get clogged with mud/snow to factor in.

But I think it'd be a sweet conversion and a bit of a first - I've seen twentys that have bmx tyres that do the odd bit of gravel and trail riding - heck I've ridden trail on Stelvio slicks a couple of times, but a bigger wheeled twenty for touring and off-road would be a really interesting bike to see. I think Raleigh invented the Jeep of bike frames here in some ways - it can with the right parts be a lot of different things to a lot of different people. :)

The 24 inch conversion has intrigued me thinking that a folding mountain bike would be a kick to ride and the Twenty's frame can handle this... it would of course have to be an SS.

:D

I couldn't resist. Wheel size is guessed a bit (Now I see it in the page I think they're more like 451s on this beastie but you get the idea).

I just wanted to sketch it together and is a concept I like a lot...
Bits are off a Trek Fuel. Y
ay to the chameleon-like nature of the Twenty frame...

http://www.littlepixel.info/twenty/mudplugga.jpg

haha, brilliant! you MUST do this.

I now own a large set of panniers, yay! And I have an in on a czech folding bike. It has a weird hinge, it hinges at the seattube, vertical hinge, the swivel point is on the bottom and it looks like theres a bolt on the top of the hinge that locks it, the bolt goes through the seattube.

Honestly it looked like a clever mechanism from the four feet I was away from it, I will post a picture when I get one from the seller. I would like to go with a twenty, but im going to take a look at this one, I havent seen a similar one yet. The geometry looks very close to the twenty, except with the different hinge mech. Dare I say, it looks like it may be a bit lighter than the Twenty, again, just from afar.

I will be test riding soon, will attempt to kick its ass of course, and get back to you all with how sturdy the hinge is. Still, keeping an eye out for the venerable twenty.

So you did start Lil'Pixel? :)

A person who I am suprised hasn't chimed in on this thread is Stevegor. He tours a ton on his R20. In fact I think he also is starting a build on another one.

R-20's : Ya gotta love a bike that gives so many option...

come check the progress...
http://web.mac.com/phatatude/Green_Space/Raleigh_Twenty_Blog/Raleigh_Twenty_Blog.html


Long weekend...Stevegor away...touring....on his motorcycle :eek:

However, touring on a R20 is brilliant, especially with a SA 8 spd hub, Jur will agree on that one.
As for heel strike with the "P" rear rack and panniers, I've not had that problem, then again I don't have clown feet ;)

Phatatude is right, I have a new project ready to go, what with all these posts on R20s lately the inspirational juices are starting to flow again, unfortunately the money ones aren't, but you guys have convinced me to proceed with the R24 tourer ASAP.

I couldn't resist. Wheel size is guessed a bit (Now I see it in the page I think they're more like 451s on this beastie but you get the idea).

I just wanted to sketch it together and is a concept I like a lot...
Bits are off a Trek Fuel. Y
ay to the chameleon-like nature of the Twenty frame...

http://www.littlepixel.info/twenty/mudplugga.jpg

Yep.

I have so got to do something like that.

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/657508184.html

omg, opinions asap, hinge looks to open sideways, bike looks in great shape

EDIT: Im meeting the seller on Sunday, is there anything I should look out for in particular when it comes to a folding bike? Anything with the hinge, stress points to be concerned about?

How can I tell if it can handle my 185 pounds, with 50 odd pounds of my crap?

If anyone has any suggestion (including "wtf that things a deathtrap on tour") please make it :D

I traveled down that path not a year ago- I wanted a twenty, and ended up buying a Nealeco Bianchi Aquiletta. It was an entertaining project, but *no way* would I try and tour on the little beast. Here are some of the problems:

- First off, the frame and hinge and everything are just not as strong as the twenty. It's a heavy little gaspipe monster, and I think going over a large bump would bend it irreparably.

- The headtube is quite funky, not a standard diameter. The threading on the fork is 24 tpi, so parts of a new headset worked OK, but I really would have liked to have a completely new headset.

- The crank in mine is a 2-piece thing that once worn out, will be a monster to replace. If the bottom bracket shell were threaded, it would be standard Italian sized. But it's just 2 cups pressed into an unthreaded shell. "Badmother" has an even worse one on his little U-folder, which is a 40 mm shell (too small for BMX and too big to take threading). He ended up cutting the BB shell out of a wrecked bike and epoxying it right inside the old one.

- The stem is 21.1 mm daimeter, so you're stuck with chromed steel parts.

- It still had the steel rims and crummy brakes and all the other problems the twenty has, and none of the benefits.

I would advise you to have some patience. I found my twenty for twenty bucks on craigslist a couple of months ago. Granted, it didn't have a fork or useable wheels, but I was planning to replace them anyway- all I really wanted was the frame.

Here's the Bianchi: I gotta admit, it *is* a pretty little thing, but I just don't know what I'm gonna do with it...

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj153/Squeazel2/Bianchi2.jpg

Why did you do that me. Now I want to build my girlfriend a bike, AND get me a twenty when one comes up. That bike is seriously gorgeous.

OMG THATS AN AWESOME IDEA!

Its definately not what I want for my folding trip, however it sounds like it would suit my girlfriends needs. Which would consist of a ride about the park or trail once or twice a month. And keep me from getting an itchy buying finger, to prevent me from buying a mediochre twenty. So then, I shall continue waiting for the twenty and will probably be giving my girlfriend a big "present" soon. =D

The Bianchi is beautiful... Nice nice resto!

Thanks, li'lp'el, coming from you that means alot to me!

Here's the "before" pic:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj153/Squeazel2/Bianchi_before.jpg

- The crank in mine is a 2-piece thing that once worn out, will be a monster to replace. If the bottom bracket shell were threaded, it would be standard Italian sized. But it's just 2 cups pressed into an unthreaded shell. "Badmother" has an even worse one on his little U-folder, which is a 40 mm shell (too small for BMX and too big to take threading). He ended up cutting the BB shell out of a wrecked bike and epoxying it right inside the old one.


Young man, I`m a "she" not a"he":D:D

Beautiful bike by the way. The green colour is beautiful. I`we been thinking of something just a little bit darker for my nrw project:

Struggeling with an old computer that refuses to "speak" with our mobilephones, so no pix at the moment. The small beauty I made that "trick" with the BB is now black and fast. 10 gears (5 cog + 2 in the front, no front shifter so it is done "by hand"). My son decided it is his bike. The other day he was out testriding with a "Dart vader" helmet/mask and a long black robe I made for him. Riding fast as hell just after sunset, the robe standing out in the air behind him. Made a small video from it.

Started on one for myself. Got two 20" folders (approx 40 yrs old) and one 26" folder(!) Last time I went to look for bikes. One guy at the recykeling place had keept them for me, helps to be a "gal" some times:D:D

One of the small ones the frame was bent, but I needed some spares from it so I did not mind. I am going to ask for one or two more (since he asked if I needed more..) later, need some time to build.

Put a shimano 7 cog and shifter on the seat tube. This becouse it is not a folder, it can be separated totally, and any cables could be damaged fast.


Posting a picture of one just the same, just mine is (was) purple. I`we decided to finish making it work well before painting it, the oposite of what I did on the black one..

shouldnt a bianci be that nice pale blue?

think Ive got a frame like that some where.

going to make it into a Pantani replica :)

No, Norwegian made, they made a lot of them. Still many around. Name is
DBS, Short for "The Best Bike". Exactely same as this one:
http://www.denrustneeike.no/home.asp
(Need a lot of work that last one..). They came in 20" and 24" Wheels.

I couldn't resist. Wheel size is guessed a bit (Now I see it in the page I think they're more like 451s on this beastie but you get the idea).

I just wanted to sketch it together and is a concept I like a lot...
Bits are off a Trek Fuel. Y
ay to the chameleon-like nature of the Twenty frame...

http://www.littlepixel.info/twenty/mudplugga.jpg

Little Pixel

Fantastic idea! I always wanted to convert a R20 frame to a Mountain Bicycle and I was just about to ask for advise from you fellas. This picture removed many of my doughts. Disk brakes might be a good option for a R20 MTB but I suppose all rear disk hubs are 135 mm, or am I wrong?

This is a dangerous thread... :D

Rear spacing on an R20 is 120 or perhaps 125 but you can cold-set the stays (ie carefully bend them) to accept wider hubs. I ran a 135mm SRAM S7 hub in mine with no problems so you could do it. As for how easy it would be to get disk mounts brazed - hmm. Probably best to get whole new integrated dropouts.

One problem I forsee with a MTB R20 is the quality of the 20" suspension fork, most are from inferior "kids"
el cheapo bikes so they wouldn't last long or have much suspension travel on rugged single track. There may be good quality forks available but they would be very costly, there's probably a better choice in 24".

Another problem I could see is the hinge and/or the bolt on the folding frame might not be strong enough for the MTBing that I normally do, so I would suggest using the non folding version frame instead.

One problem I forsee with a MTB R20 is the quality of the 20" suspension fork, most are from inferior "kids"

If you go with disk brakes on the front then you can get a mid-range 26" fork and fit any wheel up to that size - so maybe do your 24" wheelset, remove a bit of lower headtube and you're away. What about a cool Cannondale lefty fork? :)
[edit - darnit - that would require a 1 1/8" headtube. Pfft.]


Another problem I could see is the hinge and/or the bolt on the folding frame might not be strong enough for the MTBing that I normally do, so I would suggest using the non folding version frame instead.
There must be ways of upgrading the bolts though eh? If it's a non-folder it kinda misses the point and might as well be a normal compact hardtail.

Lil Pixel, I can't wait to see what the current project will look like when it's done! Your mock-up is wicked-cool! (Sorry didn't read the entire thread--not sure if the brake-bridge grind is in direction of putting 26" wheels on it--?)

On the subj of touring on the twenty, I'm newly able to chime in as of 2 nights ago--did Critical Mass here in SF. Even in its fixie-form, was able to ride 4 hours straight on the thing! Though, granted, we didn't hit any major hills, and the ~5%-7% grades we did hit were all during the 2nd half when I was well-warmed up. 5 hours total, maybe not touring level, but surprised myself given constant maneuvering while clicked-into pedals among at least 500 other cyclists. Maybe lots more--the great weather brought everyone out. I didn't see any other 20s or fixie folders, but counted 20 other folders, incl Katherine R on her pink Bike Friday.

-Bryan

Ok - I think it should be made clear that if anyone is serious about this as a build idea that they should prolly be getting 24" juvenile Mtb rims and not adult 26" ones.

I was just playing around with the Photoshop again and while 26" might be something that'd work for a road machine, once you factor in the extra fork height for the suspension-travel, the angle of the forks starts to look distinctly 'Chopper' like and not a bike I'd wanna ride up the hills...

Here's a crap diagram with rims to scale. *RIMS* being the operative word; the outer edge of these rims is the outer edge of the rim - so a tyre would be as much again OUTSIDE the edge for a roadie wheel and 2-2 1/2 times that with a knobbly.

http://www.littlepixel.info/twenty/twenty_rims.jpg

But I hope it makes sense. 26" with susp-travel rise would be too clownbike to be a usable machine, because you can't add rise to a 'hardtail' rear triangle.
But 24" might be ok;

You guys also be well aware that the WIDTH of your rim and tire in the rear is going to be one of the largest obsticles to be aware of. You would have to look at narrow rims ANd tires for this mod or maybe spread your seat stays towards the top. With a larger rear hub, you will gain some width, but not a ton so just measure and measure again. I recently cut out my brake bridge, and this is a really tempting mod :)

I think some one has already mention the width issue, but its worth mentioning again.

Lil' Pix... That is a flippin Mean lookin' Puddle Jumper you made there... I really wish Raleigh was lookin at some of your ideas. they'd definitely raise some eyebrows...


R-20 : Your mind is its only limitation...

come check the progress...
http://web.mac.com/phatatude/Green_Space/Raleigh_Twenty_Blog/Raleigh_Twenty_Blog.html

If you go with disk brakes on the front then you can get a mid-range 26" fork and fit any wheel up to that size - so maybe do your 24" wheelset, remove a bit of lower headtube and you're away. What about a cool Cannondale lefty fork? :)


Huw,
I'm keeping my R24 more for the road and touring, so it's rigid forks for me...I'll use my XT Gitane hardtail for MTBing or save up for a "Rhino" ;)

Hi suppose that by now we have high-jacked the thread! So here it is one more question for the vicious looking R20:

Any idea where can I get bulky BMX like (mountain, whatever) 451 mm tyres arround 50 mm wide?

speaking of off topic madness, I was biking by an undisclosable spot and saw an ooold skool cruiserbike! no rear wheel, but my parts bin has that covered. gonna be wickeeed.

i saw that folder, (i dunno if i mentioned) and I hated it. Its hyper squirrely, and the frame flexes and bows back and forth and uip and down while your ride. that wasnt happening. However a contact has raised some expectations of grabbing a twenty. :D :D :D

edit: whats that in imperial? sorry, too lazy to convert.

Heres my newly found R20 with a 24" MTB wheel in it.
It doesnt fit. Maybe with a 1.5 tyre.
Thats a 24X195 tyre on the wheel.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/Alecw35/R2024wheel.jpg

I tested a pair of 24 X 1 3/8" wheels. Was just the same.

wash. perhaps substituting a 24 fork for the front? it clears in the back, no?