changing wheel sizes, phantom II

"John Duval" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Am I crazy? (don't answer that).

I am thinking of changing the front wheel on my Lightning Phantom II from a
406 size to a 451 size. I have three goals: replace the poor performance
stock wheels, make the riding position more laid back and increase the wheel
size for lower rolling resistance and better ride.

What tire do you have on the Phantom? There's many more choices
available in the "406" size.

See
http://www.hostelshoppe.com/cgi-bin/search.pl?category=701800
and
http://www.hostelshoppe.com/cgi-bin/search.pl?category=702700

Quoted message said:

It seems that the only rim available is the Velocity Aero. It seems like
there are some decent tires available in this size. There is no matching
rear rim in 26" size, but that probably is no biggie.

There's also the Alex R390 and the Sun CR-18. Both are available from
Green Gear (the Bike Friday people). I have an Alex 451 rim on my
Tour Easy.
The CR-18 is also available in 26", if you want to stay "matching".

Quoted message said:

I would replace the front brake with a Paul BMX/700 cantiliever to get the
brake pads in alignment. I would probably get a Pantour hub for a little
spring up front, while the back end is already pretty soft.

I'd be careful- you may run out of room with the combination of a 451
wheel and a Pantour hub. Jamming the front tire into the fork crown
is something you *don't* want to do.

Quoted message said:

Admittedly the difference may be subtle, raising the front of the bike only
an inch or so, but do I want to go there?

I'd try different front tires first. Lots easier to make the switch,
and less expensive, too.

Jeff

I have a SWB Bentech and I use both a 406 and 451 front wheel. The front
fork was made by cutting down an old road bike fork. I made two different
drop bolt brackets to accommodate the same brake on either wheel
combination.

The 451 provides better handling. However, this is subjective. I use a 100
psi IRC on the 451, and 1.5 in Comet on the 406. The 406 gives me the
opportunity to use big tires, which is desirable for touring. The tires are
more rugged and give a better ride. However, if speed is the consideration,
then the 451 is the way to go. However, there is slightly more heel
interference with the 451, and if big tires were available in this size this
problem would only increase.
"John Duval" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Am I crazy? (don't answer that).

I am thinking of changing the front wheel on my Lightning Phantom II from

a

Quoted message said:

406 size to a 451 size. I have three goals: replace the poor performance
stock wheels, make the riding position more laid back and increase the

wheel

Quoted message said:

size for lower rolling resistance and better ride.

It seems that the only rim available is the Velocity Aero. It seems like
there are some decent tires available in this size. There is no matching
rear rim in 26" size, but that probably is no biggie.

I would replace the front brake with a Paul BMX/700 cantiliever to get the
brake pads in alignment. I would probably get a Pantour hub for a little
spring up front, while the back end is already pretty soft.

Admittedly the difference may be subtle, raising the front of the bike

only

Quoted message said:

an inch or so, but do I want to go there?

(remove 'spam' from my email address)

More choices doesn't matter if most of them are bad, and the best ones are
available in both sizes. The Primo Comet comes in all sizes, and seems to be
a relatively popular choice (though it does flat easily).

I am going to change rims either way, but am adjusting to the lack of choice
for bents. I guess that is what you get when you are .01% of the market, and
even then bents are all over the place!

John

"Jeff Wills" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"John Duval" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Am I crazy? (don't answer that).

I am thinking of changing the front wheel on my Lightning Phantom II

from a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

406 size to a 451 size. I have three goals: replace the poor performance
stock wheels, make the riding position more laid back and increase the

wheel

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

size for lower rolling resistance and better ride.

What tire do you have on the Phantom? There's many more choices
available in the "406" size.

See
http://www.hostelshoppe.com/cgi-bin/search.pl?category=701800
and
http://www.hostelshoppe.com/cgi-bin/search.pl?category=702700

Quoted message said:

It seems that the only rim available is the Velocity Aero. It seems like
there are some decent tires available in this size. There is no matching
rear rim in 26" size, but that probably is no biggie.

There's also the Alex R390 and the Sun CR-18. Both are available from
Green Gear (the Bike Friday people). I have an Alex 451 rim on my
Tour Easy.
The CR-18 is also available in 26", if you want to stay "matching".

Quoted message said:

I would replace the front brake with a Paul BMX/700 cantiliever to get

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

brake pads in alignment. I would probably get a Pantour hub for a little
spring up front, while the back end is already pretty soft.

I'd be careful- you may run out of room with the combination of a 451
wheel and a Pantour hub. Jamming the front tire into the fork crown
is something you *don't* want to do.

Quoted message said:

Admittedly the difference may be subtle, raising the front of the bike

only

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

an inch or so, but do I want to go there?

I'd try different front tires first. Lots easier to make the switch,
and less expensive, too.

Jeff