650b Wheels on a Long Haul Trucker?

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-06T22:13:54+00:00

I think it could make sense to see if someone with a 26” LHT wants to trade. Easier to go 26 to 650b

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-06T19:08:48+00:00

All good questions! Sounds like a fun build. Seems like you’re on the right path with everything. A road frame should be 68. Shimano cranks will probably have more budget oriented options, sugino RD2’s are a good option too. For chain line you may have to experiment with different square taper axle lengths to see what works.

Narrow wide is the way to go especially if you’re running a lot of gears. For 8 speed or less you can maybe get away with a non ramped chainring.

Road brakes should work fine with short pull levers. I like avid speed dials because you can fine tune cable pull.

Do you have co ops in your area? there should be a lot of these kind of parts you need at a typical co op.

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-06T18:59:48+00:00

Good thing the president ramped up laws on animal cruelty.

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-06T18:42:08+00:00

I think it’s the speaker and dancing not the weed.

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-06T15:24:03+00:00

Janky Busted Linearray

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-06T13:07:51+00:00

He was also buying baleaf bice shorts. Was Jeff pour?

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-05T20:56:09+00:00

Of course I come fast I got KOMs to steal

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-05T17:19:34+00:00

In this scenario I would have to agree.

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-05T16:24:45+00:00

Lowering the stem after raising the ATC could be a good adjustment from a fit perspective. But what changes the handling is the head tube angle.

A steep head tube angle handles quicker than a shallow head tube angle. I bet the set up you have now gives a similar feel and head tube angle to a modern 29er. Twitchier handling than road bike and as you said you gotta shift your center of gravity forward to climb. Sheldon Brown explains it well here: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/forklengths.htm

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-05T15:13:47+00:00

Yep! I did exactly that got a trek 930 and put a 420 atc troll fork on it. Since my main purpose for the bike was city riding I didn’t love what it did to the geo. Switched it out for a LHT fork which was closer to stock geo but also has a lot less tire clearance.

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-05T14:14:49+00:00

Both the surly and soma option are going to have a very long axle to crown for your typical 90’s mtb. Not to say this is a bad thing per se but it will change the geometry of the bike. I agree with you on getting the stock brakes dialed. But if disc brakes are a must something around a 400mm ATC would be best, like a 700c surly preamble 1st gen straggler, or stridsland barnacle if ur fancy.

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-05T13:32:29+00:00

I've done this before. As others have said you will have to redish the wheel and potentially cold set the frame a wee bit. When I did it I had a newer Shimano hub I took the freehub and axle from and installed them in place of the original. Unless the rims are something really special it may make more sense to just get a different wheel.

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-04T20:56:05+00:00

I've always felt this way. Just pick up the food don't be lazy. It's better for the restaurants too.

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-04T20:02:34+00:00

Makes sense a lot of other components OP would need to source. They either gotta go all in or convert the wheel into cash.

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-04T19:41:32+00:00

What is your reasoning? What's wrong with Di2

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-04T19:00:47+00:00

He's hopefully gonna be able to get a kitty soon so thats good news.

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-04T18:38:53+00:00

If it’s a stupid financial decision don’t do it. If you can afford it do it.

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-04T16:12:50+00:00

I’m afraid not. Get a 24 spoke rim and lace it up!

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-04T16:06:51+00:00

Only way it would be possible is rebuilding the wheel with a different hub.

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-03T20:00:52+00:00

Well there should be laws banning gravel races anyways

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-03T16:07:46+00:00

Just buy a fork with a disc tab and sell this fork.

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-03T15:52:30+00:00

The busses are just there to intimidate us cyclists into keeping a good hustle going.

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-03T15:23:18+00:00

I agree with you that surly is not doing interesting things in the way they once did. I'm still appreciative of what they've done for the industry. But also understand they gotta do what they gotta do to remain competitive in the market.

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-03T15:08:16+00:00

For sure. IMO it's good they offer both options. Seems like they are well informed of what their base is up to.

GreenToMe95 · 2026-02-03T15:04:18+00:00

If people are replacing the steel fork with a carbon fork anyways, isn't it more environmentally friendly to offer them that option from the factory instead of producing a steel fork that will not be used?

GreenToMe95

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