Effect of dropping BB with smaller wheel tire combo?
05-31-22, 05:18 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Effect of dropping BB with smaller wheel tire combo?
Lets imagine that pedal strike is not an issue here.
What would a bike feel like if you could switch to a smaller wheelset that would drop the Bottom Bracket substantially?
am thinking of putting a 650B wheelset with 47mm tyres on my bike which has 700c wheels and 40 mm tyres. Will it feel more stable as I am lower to the ground? Is it nicer to be lower to the ground on a bike in general in a center of gravity sense?
What would a bike feel like if you could switch to a smaller wheelset that would drop the Bottom Bracket substantially?
am thinking of putting a 650B wheelset with 47mm tyres on my bike which has 700c wheels and 40 mm tyres. Will it feel more stable as I am lower to the ground? Is it nicer to be lower to the ground on a bike in general in a center of gravity sense?
05-31-22, 07:18 AM
#2
Banned.
Indeed lower in terms of CoG will make your bike feel more stable. It may be too small to actually notice the difference but it's there nonetheless.
When I'm climbing very steep gradients ~20% I move forward on the seat and drop my upper body down low, in a time trial position. It moves the CoG forward and down, making it effortless to balance the bike even at low speeds so I can focus all my strength on my legs to climb instead of wasting some of that fighting to keep the bike from falling due to low speed. That position doesn't work for everyone however. Although it's more stable, some riders make more power when they're riding more upright than hunched down.
When I'm climbing very steep gradients ~20% I move forward on the seat and drop my upper body down low, in a time trial position. It moves the CoG forward and down, making it effortless to balance the bike even at low speeds so I can focus all my strength on my legs to climb instead of wasting some of that fighting to keep the bike from falling due to low speed. That position doesn't work for everyone however. Although it's more stable, some riders make more power when they're riding more upright than hunched down.
Last edited by koala logs; 05-31-22 at 07:23 AM.
05-31-22, 09:42 AM
#3
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I've never went to smaller wheels on a particular frame myself. But what I've read from others seems to indicate it might be more sporty and more maneuverable in their handling. And they reported that in a good overall feeling of enjoyment with the bike.
You'll be decreasing trail of the front wheel. So you lose some of the stuff that lets you ride no handed with more confidence.
You'll be decreasing trail of the front wheel. So you lose some of the stuff that lets you ride no handed with more confidence.
05-31-22, 08:32 PM
#4
Banned.
I've never went to smaller wheels on a particular frame myself. But what I've read from others seems to indicate it might be more sporty and more maneuverable in their handling. And they reported that in a good overall feeling of enjoyment with the bike.
You'll be decreasing trail of the front wheel. So you lose some of the stuff that lets you ride no handed with more confidence.
You'll be decreasing trail of the front wheel. So you lose some of the stuff that lets you ride no handed with more confidence.
Indeed, the bike may seem more twitchy if you switch to smaller set wheels but that feeling should go away completely after a week of riding, same thing with shorter stems. Only fit matters the most. Everything else the mind and body can adapt to in no time.
06-01-22, 09:14 AM
#5
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Lets imagine that pedal strike is not an issue here.
What would a bike feel like if you could switch to a smaller wheelset that would drop the Bottom Bracket substantially?
am thinking of putting a 650B wheelset with 47mm tyres on my bike which has 700c wheels and 40 mm tyres. Will it feel more stable as I am lower to the ground? Is it nicer to be lower to the ground on a bike in general in a center of gravity sense?
What would a bike feel like if you could switch to a smaller wheelset that would drop the Bottom Bracket substantially?
am thinking of putting a 650B wheelset with 47mm tyres on my bike which has 700c wheels and 40 mm tyres. Will it feel more stable as I am lower to the ground? Is it nicer to be lower to the ground on a bike in general in a center of gravity sense?
