My second bike is a beater cannondale prophet. Its one of the bikes that converts to 650b not too badly i've read. Decided to convert as a project as a platform to compare 27.5 wheels.
27.5-26" does not equal 1.5" The difference is rim erd dia is only about 1" so the bike will sit 12mm taller with the new wheels.
I lowered the lefty 10mm using a spacer from my durlox. And for the rear I reduced the stroke of the shock from 50mm to 41mm to lower the rear end, and prevent wheel from hitting frame. Note now using the XC shock mount hole. So total travel is about 110mm. Geometry is a hair steeper but I run lots of sag so pretty close to stock.
HA 67.5
SA 74
BB 13.4
CS 16.6
long FC
The tires are the exact same tires from when i had it in 26er. HR2 2.2 and ardent 2.2. The 27.5 tires I got were even used so its a similar back to back comparison. Rim weights are similar. I am running tubes right now where before I was tubeless in 26er tho.
The verdict? Yeah the bigger wheels are better. Its not huge but noticeable. Bike just rolls over stuff a bit easier and grip seems improved. Trail has a bit less chatter. The loss in travel is not terrible and offset by the better rolling. So throw your trusty 26er in the dumpster :grinno:
I also stripped the paint to freshen it up. But pretty cool to revive a 10 year old frame I think. Even tho it is a lowly crak n fail single pivot. :shhh:
