Touring - 650b LHT

I 650b'd my Trucker...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8062/8176479793_8269fbc5da_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/saddleupbike/8176479793/)
650b Long Haul Trucker (http://www.flickr.com/photos/saddleupbike/8176479793/) by SaddleUpBike (http://www.flickr.com/people/saddleupbike/), on Flickr

nice. what model brakes are you using for the 559 to 650 conversion?

Nice bike!

Cool! Should have great ground clearance. How does it handle? Does the revised trail affect handling?

nice. what model brakes are you using for the 559 to 650 conversion?

Probably the same, the pads look like they just been moved up. There is only 12.5mm of difference between the two.

I need new glasses. I thought I was going to read a post about a 650 lb. LHT.

nice. what model brakes are you using for the 559 to 650 conversion?

His website says old Shimano canti

Cool! Should have great ground clearance. How does it handle? Does the revised trail affect handling?

That would be good to know

So far so good with the handling. I have to wait for some more snow to melt to take it for a long ride but the first ride felt great. The brakes are the new Shimano CX50's, the 70's will also work. This is the only canti that I could make work where the pad strikes the rim nice and flat.

Front
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8208/8176484499_090cc01307_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/saddleupbike/8176484499/)
650b Long Haul Trucker (http://www.flickr.com/photos/saddleupbike/8176484499/) by SaddleUpBike (http://www.flickr.com/people/saddleupbike/), on Flickr

Rear
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8481/8176515756_1d94a2e316_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/saddleupbike/8176515756/)
650b Long Haul Trucker (http://www.flickr.com/photos/saddleupbike/8176515756/) by SaddleUpBike (http://www.flickr.com/people/saddleupbike/), on Flickr

Given the size of tires you've put on it, I'm curious of why you went the 650 route as opposed to 26 in. Just from the practical side of finding a wide range of tires in stores much much easier.

The 650b tires that I put on (1.5") are slightly taller than the 26" (1.85") tires that were installed without having the volume. I used the Contis because I has easy access to them, I'm really waiting for a selection of 2.0" x 650b mountain bike tires to hit the market. The day Kenda releases a 650b x 2.0" Small Block 8 I'm in. The goal is to raise the BB and be able to go farther off trail without pedal strikes.

650b x 2.1"
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8339/8159878933_4dd70588b6_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/saddleupbike/8159878933/)
650b LHT (http://www.flickr.com/photos/saddleupbike/8159878933/) by SaddleUpBike (http://www.flickr.com/people/saddleupbike/), on Flickr

The real reason for doing the conversion was to simply see if it can be done. I'm trying to build a blue collar Rivendell

as per just to see if it can be done, hey why not?
Looks like you have an Ortlieb barbag attachment on it (the little grey thingee we can see looks like it), have you thought of putting on some interrupter brakes, I like them on rough terrain on my Tricross for downhills.
Oh, the lightweight bottle holders are funny, but then I havent met a bike I dont like so Im just ribbing you.
Have fun with it.

Thanks, let me tell you about the bottle cages. They are Specialized Rib Cage Pros, expedition approved. Your bottles won't leave you.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8340/8192464587_ede0f665fc_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/saddleupbike/8192464587/)
Surly Troll (http://www.flickr.com/photos/saddleupbike/8192464587/) by SaddleUpBike (http://www.flickr.com/people/saddleupbike/), on Flickr

Thanks, let me tell you about the bottle cages. They are Specialized Rib Cage Pros, expedition approved. Your bottles won't leave you.


which is a shame then as you will never write a country and western song about your bottles leaving you and your old dog gone and done died.

this however may be a good thing.

nice looking troll btw.

Thanks, with dirt under the tires, it's awesome.

Nice, I like the 1.5" tires. IMHO touring should be comfy, I don't get the many touring bikes that limit tire width. I use my touring bikes for commuting/shopping/city riding too where street/paths/sidewalks can give a rough ride with skinnier tires. Building up my new Disc Trucker with 1.5" tires. My theory is that the Trucker has long wheelbase & I can keep the tires at fairly high pressure so as to give a smooth ride w/o undue resistance.

Good plan, the LHT is a stout frame, some cush in the tires goes along way towards adding some comfort. The Troll is a wet noodle in comparison.

"Blue Collar Rivendell." Love it. The tire size makes a lot of sense. I am a big fan. Looks like a blast for the winter. Would think about doing mine if I wasn't lazy or cheap. Not sure about trusting those brakes in the snow, but how fast are you going anyway? Looks fun.