26 to 69er

[Kenbenzo]

I have an older GF Marlin that I want to make into a project bike. Has anyone tried to turn a 26 into a 29 in the front, like the Trek 69er? Not sure if that screws up the geometry and handling. Id probably turn it into a SS too, to make things simple and different. Is it better to go rigid instead of a shock? The bike also cant take discs so Id need to stay with the V brakes.  If you have any advice or tips, please let me know. Thanks!

[PrisonCityStandout]

Well, I'm no expert- but here's my .02. Switching the front from 26 to 29 will almost certainly change your geometry. How it will carry over to your handling I can't answer. I suppose it is possible to keep the geometry virtually the same if you were carefull in your new fork selection (by subtracting the difference in wheel diameter from the axle to crown length of new fork maybe?...).  Also, it's very possible that of you did purchase a new fork that it would have tabs for the addition of disc brakes up front.

[martha]

My brother turned a Specialized Hard Rock into a 69er... he wasn't a very avid rider - so whether it handled really well or not, I'm not sure and I think he'd admit he wouldn't be qualified to say.  He probably didn't really know.  He did like it, because it was different and novel and handled in a way that was different from anything else he'd ridden.  It just seems strange to me.    It did work, though.

Martha