Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

It's there's a lots of room, 650b it is.

If 700c barely managed at 38c, then 650b with 42c would be great for roughstuffing it.

So you're certain the rear chainstays will clear 42mm 650b tyre?

I've got to say I don't think they will.

Also I really don't see why you'd choose a steamroller to do that job. Surely the beauty of a steamroller is that it's a "track" frame that's tough, has decent clearances and rides (apparently) well.

I just think there are lots of other more suitable bikes.

This is with the 42c tyres;

I have no reason other than insanity to go for that, but it's depend on how I find my new Randos before building another 650B, plus it's fun going against conventional wisdom.

Didn't you say that your Cross-Check was too long for you Ed? How will a Steamroller be any different? There's very little difference in ETT.

You could get a smaller frame I suppose, though that would leave you with a shorter headtube & you'd have to use loads of headset spac.....

Oh, wait :-/

Ah to be honest, I just want to replaced the Dolan with a second hand Steamroller, which is too long at 56cm (realistically) due to Dolan's mishaps on their geo sheet.

Got me started on mucking about with 650b.

plus, another 650b with 2.1" tyres;

It does have a certain clean look to it, what with the lack of cable stops. That bike would quickly grind to a halt in any real mud though.

yo functional ppl, who can tell me the tyre clearance on soma rush frame? Can it take 32c? I can get a crosscheck fork on it and make it into a fixed CX ..

I remember it just fitting 28c's, so would assume 32 would be a squeeze at the end of the drop outs, but don't take my word for it.

I reckon it might be pretty tight tbh. 28c as AnP says is pretty much the limit Squire

aw shite that means i have to sell the frame then

knobby 28c rear and 32c front?

Lovely, must flex like a noodle though.

The frame looks designed for loaded touring. So thick walled touring tubing would be the most likely material. Why noodle?

Ah anything that look skinny always set me off, thick walled or not.

I had a Claud Butler touring bike with 531 tubing that was impossible to ride out of the saddle when loaded.
incredibly soft. just because something is old doesn't make it good.

I've ridden a Dawes Galaxy (80s era I guess) that was hilariously soft. So heavy and so flexible, comfy but boring. I had to check the frame hadn't broken at the bb shell.

/csb

^ All this.

They were stiff at the time when the only choice was to have thicker wall instead of oversized tubing*.

*or typical for an old English touring bike.

So you're certain the rear chainstays will clear 42mm 650b tyre?

I've got to say I don't think they will.

plus, another 650b with 2.1" tyres;

Just to say it looks like you were right.

I still don't think a steamroller is the bike to do a 650B conversion on. I really like the idea of 650b conversions, but that's mainly becuase I like the idea of bigger tyres PLUS mudgaurds, and also the fact that with smaller frames (which I ride) they look more in proportion.

Spending £s ontop of the purchase price for adding braze-ons... then a respray doesn't really seem worth it IMO. Especislly for you given the problems you have with TT length.

Just sayin'.

What braze on? I got the Tokyo Fixed for that, which have been heavily modified to make it into a great Audax bike.

Will send it to Ryan once he finished with my custom bike, rather not hindrance his progress by filling in the dented top tube.

I dont know where to post this but I had to get it of my chest somewhere

Haha! Wtf am I looking at?

Pretty cool but that cannot be functional?

Ah to be honest, I just want to replaced the Dolan with a second hand Steamroller, which is too long at 56cm (realistically) due to Dolan's mishaps on their geo sheet.

Got me started on mucking about with 650b.

plus, another 650b with 2.1" tyres;

Funny enough, about a week ago you were mocking me for thinking of having a steamroller as a cross bike, with chunky tires.
Look at you now.

thought it was better off here...

http://www.lfgss.com/thread35269-9.html