Got Peter's Quest 559 with 451 wheels converted to a Quest 406 with phatty 2" Schwalbe Big Apples on Saturday. I ordered him some Velocity Aeroheat 406mm's with 36H disc hubs...should be good for a reasonable touring load.
Rear 451 vs. 406
On the 559 (long stay still in place) with 406 wheels
Rear phatness, even the 2.35 Big Apple would clear on both ends with the 559 stay in place for ultimate cush
The overall wheel diameters are nearly identical
Before 559 to 451 chain stay conversion
Rear clearance
Front 559 clearance
451 chain stay in place, getting the 559 stay out was fairly routine, pulled right side of the crank, and used a 10mm and 6mm to remove pivot bushing main bolt, press out bushing cups and transfer to shorter stay. The only beoch was getting the lower part of the stay onto each tab, had to use some rubber coated plier handles to spread the flanges open just a hair while wacking on the bb end of the stay with a rubber mallet. We had doubts that the 2" Big Apple would clear, but once I got the stay properly aligned and securely installed everything lined up and there just enough clearance. The tire has one slight high/side spot that makes very lite contact but hardly noticeable.
Peter seemed very pleased was blasting around the Spin Shed, taking deep aggressive turns
Ordered up another wheelset (my own
from Velocity and more Big Apples. At least now I can choose from a massive tire selection, or add more cush between the rim and the road for the potholed backroads around town.
Rear 451 vs. 406
On the 559 (long stay still in place) with 406 wheels
Rear phatness, even the 2.35 Big Apple would clear on both ends with the 559 stay in place for ultimate cush
The overall wheel diameters are nearly identical
Before 559 to 451 chain stay conversion
Rear clearance
Front 559 clearance
451 chain stay in place, getting the 559 stay out was fairly routine, pulled right side of the crank, and used a 10mm and 6mm to remove pivot bushing main bolt, press out bushing cups and transfer to shorter stay. The only beoch was getting the lower part of the stay onto each tab, had to use some rubber coated plier handles to spread the flanges open just a hair while wacking on the bb end of the stay with a rubber mallet. We had doubts that the 2" Big Apple would clear, but once I got the stay properly aligned and securely installed everything lined up and there just enough clearance. The tire has one slight high/side spot that makes very lite contact but hardly noticeable.
Peter seemed very pleased was blasting around the Spin Shed, taking deep aggressive turns
Ordered up another wheelset (my own
from Velocity and more Big Apples. At least now I can choose from a massive tire selection, or add more cush between the rim and the road for the potholed backroads around town.
