Thorn Sterling Max wheel / tyre diameter...

[GibraltarSean]

Hi all,


Really looking  forward to playing on the trails on a Thorn Sterling i have aquired. Problem is that my mates are cutting about on 29ers. I read something about there is lots of clearance for bigger tyres... does anyone know if it's possible to mitigate the diameter  difference at all... I hear there are many knew larger tyres these days...

Apologies in advance for my ignorance if this proves to be one of those 'plain stupid' ask's....

Sean

[bobs]

Hi Sean,

You will be able to fit wider tyres but not bigger wheels. 29er wheels will not fit, they are a completely different beast.

Bob

[GibraltarSean]

Hi Bob

, VMT for the reply... yep its possible i was hoping against hope... but Check  this link out i found on the Web ... read down to wheels spec and it states 700 sized wheels can be fitted if they arę disc braked.... i originally posted the Q as i saw on the Thorn webpage a 'Dit' on large wheel  clearances.... link below

http://www.bikerecyclery.com/new-thorn-sterling-frame-mt-tura-rigid-fork-medium-lowrider-rack-parts-high-performance-adventure-mountain-touring-bike-from-england-for-rohloff/

Please, aby thoughts??

[Danneaux]

Please, aby thoughts??

Yes, Sean (and welcome to the Thorn Cycling Forum!):

I believe you might indeed get away with fitting a 700C wheel in place of the fat-tired 26in so long as:

1) Disc brakes were used (as you have mentioned...)
...and...
2) The tires on the 700C wheels were very skinny.

Twenty-niners are bikes that run very fat tires on 700C rims. I don't believe there is sufficient clearance beneath the Sterling's fork crown or seatstay bridge to clear a 700C wheel *with* fat tire.

I may well be wrong, but I should think clearances could be pretty tight.

Is there any way you could borrow one or two of your mate's wheels for a moment to try while the bike is in the stand? That would definitively answer your question with no harm to either bike or wheelset.

All the best,

Dan.

[bobs]

Hi Sean,

If it is possible to fit a larger wheel it would be a lot of expense for very little benefit. There would be the cost of converting the hub to a disc one if required  and the cost of rebuilding the wheel. You won't be able to run fat tyres or a 26" unless you buy another wheel.

Bob

[GibraltarSean]

Thanks for the welcome Dan and the reply. Many thanks for the perseverance Bob! and yep you may well be right about 'not much difference' or not much to gain... we will see when I have a wee foray with the boys... thing is I have no experience with the 29ers but some mates reckon it will be difficult to keep pace and I'd hate to be holding folk up.
I've gone for the Sterling purely as I reckon the best cycle I've ever owned is my Raven Sport, but wanted to get onto the dirt a bit more...
just for info, my Sterling is disc brake set upand if I did want to experiment with the larger wheel I would obviously send my 26 with the Rolhoff to change out...
A lot depends on a) how I fare with the 29er lads, b) just exactly how big (or rather how slim...) the tyres would actually have to be...  I wouldn't be belting about in thick mud as per say, I live in a hot climate and am unashamedly a fair weather rider if you like... and c) how strong the 700 wheel would be, however I'm sure that wouldn't be an issue for my 'soft' riding style....
I will let you know on. This thread. Over the next few weeks how I get on ...
as always any advice / opinions appreciated
Sean