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Old ATX into a new shiny 29-er?
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Hi all,
So, I have my old trusty Giant ATX760 which has been with me since the early 90's and still goes strong! Last year I overhauled it with 2010 XT - complete groupset!
My question is - has anyone had any experience 'converting' their frames to 29-inch specs? Old or new will help.
I'm thinking of upgrading the wheels to 29-ers and in theory they'll fit (I've measured both front and rear wheel arches / forks, etc. I'll have to alter the calipers (am thinking of going disk anyway!) grip length, but other than that - it should work, no?
Any experiences / ideas / thoughts?
Cheers 
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Have you measured the fork when fully compressed?
Also the seat and chainstays may be long enough but I recon they won't be wide enough and will rub on an off road tyre.
'Compressed'? That would mean I have shocks - 8-D
Nothing but the original straights still on her at the moment, but Doctor says I need ot get some shocks, (Shoulder injury) so I'll be upgrading them too.
As for rear width - thanks for that - hadn't taken width into consideration - although I hasten to add that most of my riding will be with road slicks
Thakns for the info
Hi Shelley,
What you are proposing to do does not make a lot of sense to me. Trying to modify an early nineties Giant of all things makes little sense at all. Modifying it into a 29er is possibly misguided.
Your bikes geometry (angles and length of tubes basically) is designed to work with the fork you already have. Even a suspension fork will slow the steering, and a 29er will make it feel like a chopper. Not to mention, the 1" Steerer tube on the ATX has been obsolete for at least 15 years, so you wont be able to get a 29" fork for it.
You would need a new fork, new wheels, probably disc brakes, and then mounts for a rear brake. By the time you do this, you've probably spent the same amount as a new entry level 29er.
If its an emotional connection to the old girl, you may be better off to try and adapt it as a tourer.
I still think the idea of a 'vintage entry level giant' is silly.
1/. Do it! (and obviously take some photos)
2/. Then ride it,
3/. Buy a new bike.
Hopefully there will be no horrific injuries or crashes between stage 1 and 2.
A huge problem you will face is 'toe overlap'. the front wheel will closer to your foot when turning. It will most likely over-lap pretty badly.
You will crash.
Still - I'd love to see an 'franken-bike' 29er project.
you'll end up with a bike that has a really high BB, and possibly heaps of toe overlap. Give it a go but don't be surprised if it ends up difficult to ride.
keep an eye on ebay, there are often nice little deals on cheap 29ers if you just want to try it out. if you don't like it, you will at the very least have a new shop bike
If you know anyone with a 29er with standard QR axles, see if you can borrow the wheels for a few minutes to check fit and what it does to the pedal overlap, steerer angle etc. You may save yourself a lot of time, money and effort.
I turned my GT Peace (26) into a 29er for commuting (tyres just fit- schwalbe marathon plus). Works a treat. No way though could i get an offroad tyre to fit the set up.
Been commuting on it for at least 2 years
commuting is very different to off road. check out the mtbr 29er forums 26-29 has been done before, results can be dangerous off road so the forum says
Hi Matt,
Finally, someone get's it! 8-D
So, how have you gone with this whole toe overlap thing? Any real problems there?
For everyone else, the slick tyres should have given it away that I'm not intending on going bush with this - it will strictly be a road tourer.
As to whether it's a silly idea or not - or whether it is financially a bomb? I'm 41 years old and the best biking of my life was done on this kit. Also, I'd happily upgrade tomorrow if I could find a bike that is as smooth on the roads as this one, but there in reality isnt.
I'f I cant do the 29 thing, I'll simply upgrade the forks to shock absorbers and go disc brakes - and leave it at that.
Thanks for all the advice, even the 'silly' comments...
The reason that the forum didn't get it, is because you did not clearly state what the 29" wheels are for.
You would've been better saying you wanted to make a set of road wheels up for the bike and people would've said go for it. Lace up a set of 700c wheels (Which is 29", but for road, they are called 700c).
Now we understand that you will make a set of road and a set for off road.
*sigh*
no it don't work!
Shelley the group doesn't always know
My Peace is great for commuting, about town and i have no issues with a little fire road blasting on it (though with the skinnies.......)
I got a little help from my LBS we made sure it all fit before i committed any $$, I am fortunate to have no toe overlap or any other issues and it rides all nicely balanced.
Oh and ditch the gears while you are at it.
Doesn't work? I wonder what these wheels are then?
The front wheel fits with about 1cm to spare on full fork compression with no air, and the rear is about the same from the chainstay brace near the bottom bracket. Open Pro rim on Lefty front hub and CXP33 rear on Shimano XT centrelock rear. This is with 700x23c Conti GP4000s rubber.
The major risk with this type of setup is your tyre fouling on the fork crown under full compression. If the wheel contacts the fork crown, the bike's forward motion will stop, spitting you forward onto the pavement. Not good at 40-60km/hr. So, you need to check this with the spring (in my case air) out of the fork.
If it passes this check, then all good. CB did the same thing with his Yeti 515 with disc hbs and WTB Speed City rims, if memory serves me correctly.
The bar ends have gone, and the uber lame-looking Serfas saddlebag has been replaced with a better quality Topeak roadie one. The setup works well. Not as quick as a proper roadie, especially with the parachutes erm, I mean pannier bags on the back, but I can ride all day in all weather on this, even lugging my laptop to work and back, and be comfortable.
Ahahahah!
EXACTLY! Of course it works! Hey brother - thanks heaps for the input!
It's funny how many poeple will offer an opinion based on no science whatsoever - nor experience, but more from an ideology. 'That shouldn't work, so I'll say it can't'
I only have rigid forks on the front at the moment, so I should be right. BUT, I will have to watch out though when I do get shocks
Have ordered some shiny new C700's and am looking forward to this project immensely!
Thanks again Matt and Hawkeye
again question was 29er, not 700c commuter. Of course you can put bigger wheels on a 26er, people have been doing it for a loooong time, Calling those wheels 29er wheels implies that it will be an off road bike.
I don't think anyone said that it wouldn't work (29er offroad) just that it wasn't wise as it would handle like a dog in the corners,
I did convert an old 26" mtb frame over to 700c for commuting. The rear wheel fit the frame easily and I used a Kona P2 fork which also fit a 700c wheel. The only thing that didn't line up were the v brakes. Enter a set of Mavic brake adaptors which moved the calipers up in line with 700c-ness and I was good to go.
Toe overlap was non-existant with 25mm tyres, and even though the brake setup looked a bit odd, the adaptors proved to be incredibly rigid and increased braking power, just like an old v brake booster.
Champion Hornet!
I'll get on the lookout for some Mavics
Do you ride/race MTB regularly? - with a handle like that I reckon I live pretty close to you? (Muddy Mudskipper - aka - Rossmoyne6148)
Implied insult above aside may be good to get together for a ride?