Plan Modifications

[Wejon]

Brad,

I am just completing my third Meridian. All 3 are great. Now, I am thinking of building one with 26" wheels front & rear. I think all I have to do is change the angle & length of the front tube. What do you think? Possible? I'm nuts? Go for it? Or what?

Also, Many newer bikes have a threadless type of head tube, Can these be used?

Thanks for the great plans, they make great bikes and never fail to open a conversation when we ride.

Thanks again,

Wejon

[rykoala]

Here's my Meridian with 26" wheels front and back.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/rykoala/SHI1HMHLsEI/AAAAAAAAAa4/oBZKXrwa3Ww/s512/image57.jpg

Its way too long. Build yours shorter! Mine has an 8 foot (FOOT!) wheelbase. Make yours shorter and it'll be fine. If yours is bouncy like mine was, add the top bar like I did. It solved it 100%.

Threadless headsets should be fine, they aren't really different, but you'll WILL need a threaded head set for the steerer.

[Wejon]

Nice build, you did a good job. Thanks for the reply and photo. How does it ride? About the threadless headsets. I have never had one apart so I don't know anything about them. What's different? Do they still have the bearings and cups, or do they have a different way of containing the bearings?

[AtomicZombie]

Threadless will be just fine as long as you keep all the parts including the headtube together.

Brad

[rykoala]

Thanks! It rides nicely. There are problems with making it that long though. The turning radius is bigger than a "stock" Meridian, and its twitchy at low speed.

Check out sheldonbrown.com for the info on threadless headsets.

Take care


Nice build, you did a good job. Thanks for the reply and photo. How does it ride? About the threadless headsets. I have never had one apart so I don't know anything about them. What's different? Do they still have the bearings and cups, or do they have a different way of containing the bearings?