Using 24" front wheels for street?
 

I just bought a time-trial bike and the guy is giving me the 24" front wheel that was used with it. I'm going to buy a 700c IRO back wheel, but would you recommend buying a new front wheel as well? I have no idea what riding a bike with a 24" front wheel would be like.

if it's a tt frame it prolly won't fit any other size wheel in the front (and 24" has been supplanted by 650cm these days, 24" rims can be hard to find)

Aye indeed, vomitron had this particular issue last year. Long story short, its easier to get a 659c fork and new front wheel.

what issues does it cause? really difficult steering? and is the fork the only issue in why a larger sized wheel wouldn't fit here? if so, why not replace the fork with something that'd take a 700 wheel?

From the few times I rode vomitron's bike and from talking to him, yeah the steering is twitchier than normal, not difficult just twitchier. The issues that is causes is pretty much the ability to find tubes, tires, and wheels in general. He got his front wheel stolen and pretty much had no choice but to go with a 650c wheel. 24" wheels aren't impossible to find, just more work.

The reason you wouldn't go with a 700c front wheel is that doing so would defeat the purpose of having a TT bike, and would probally alter the geometry in some funky way.

hrmph, well im afraid to admit i bought the TT bike because i just liked the way it looked, without realizing the complications the 24" wheel would cause. i guess ill start checking out 650 forks

They only way there would be complications stemming from a frame+fork designed for a 24" front wheel would be if you didn't actually have a 24" front wheel to go on the bike. You have the wheel, so what's the problem? Just put the wheel in the frame et voila. Like magic.

m.

24" parts arnt all that hard to find just a little more work my tt build uses a velocity aerohead 24" rim. Panracer still makes 24" tires and terry makes 24" tubes. All of these should be moderately easy to find online.

speaking of which Everest, mine is a 56cm Nishiki Linear. i saw your thread on that, and i was hoping to see it built up, but then of course you ran into your share of problems. ill be sure to post photos when i get this done though.

and as for the 24" wheel, yeah i have it, but im just worried its going to be *too* small, and too weird, causing issues with comfort and utility. from what i understand, 650 will make it much less of a freak bike. right now, ill try out the 24, and see from there.

Depends on the kind of riding you do.
I ride the same frame with a 24" in traffic, and I love how it cuts. Seems more maneuverable to me. If you're used to a 700 up front, you'll learn to adjust quick. It's not that hard.
Besides - I tried a 700 wheel up front on the Nishiki, and it queered the geometry but good.
Don't do it. The 24" is fun.

That's what would happen if you change 650c to 700c, I guess you can infer what would be your case.
I have noticed that these short front forks had pretty high crowns, so going for a low crown, low stack height front fork can reduce these differences but might cause problems fitting larger wheel under the down tube.

All in all there is about 5 degrees change to the seat tube angle and head tube angle - the latter will affect the steering very much - you would need a fork with suitable rake to compensate.

The good think is that your bottom bracket will go higher.

Notice I didn't say it was impossible to find parts for a 24" wheel, just a bit more complicated. Where you may be able to find tubes and tires online, you're going to be hard pressed to find stuff at local bike shops if you're in a pinch, and that can be problematic.

I like that if I get a flat I can get a tube just about anywhere including the local drug store. With a 24" you just have to think way in advance and can potentially have more down time.

I'm not saying its a bad idea, just giving you some things to think about.

Terry Precision Cycles stocks lots of 24" tires and tubes.

Find a shop that deals with recumbents, they will have good 24" stuff.

Just what I was about to say. Also about my Linear project, I'm now working on a schwinn prologue frame (same style) that is the right size. Theres a thread over in classic and vintage (you might have to search though as I suspect it has been bumped off the front page) I will post pictures for sure when it is built up. As for part availibility I am accumulating a small stockpile of parts my self so that I dont have to worry about it (my shop can still get them for me in an emergency). Enjoy the bike and post pics of it built up as I would love to see it. If anyone else has pics of there 24" front machine I'd love to see them as well (you can send a pm if your worried about sidetracking the thread).

ch0mb0, what do you mean it "queered the geometry but good." it made it weird but still good?

also, what sort of set-up are you using? have any pics? do you have problems with pedal strike?