Switching between wheelsets - 700c to 650b and vice versa [Archive]

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donalrey

04-15-2019, 07:32 AM

I'm trying to set up my girlfriend's bike so that she has 2 wheelsets:

1) 700x35c for more mix paved / dirt rides that we usually go on. This has a 11-32t cassette.
2) 650bx42mm for anything more extreme than that. This has a 11-36t cassette.

I upgraded her rear derailleur to the newer Ultegra with the clutch. My question is can she easily switch out these wheelsets given that one has a bigger cassette or would i have to change out chain every time she switches wheelset? Also, would I need to adjust the b-limit screw every time I switch wheelset?

She has a 50-34t chainring up front if that helps.

Thanks!

.RJ

04-15-2019, 07:34 AM

I go between a 700 & 650 wheelset on a few bikes, and same with 11-32/11-36 cassettes. With a 1x setup, as long as the chain is long enough for the 11-36, no problems there, either. If the crank is a double, I'm not sure a chain that is long enough for the 11-36 wont be too long for the 11-32 but doesnt hurt to check and as long as you avoided the small/small combo it could be fine, but a 50-36 I bet gives you a pretty long chain.

madsciencenow

04-15-2019, 07:47 AM

I use the same cassette when I switch. The bigger issue for me has been getting the discs to align. I have to move the brake calipers every time I switch. If someone has a fix for this I’d love to hear it.

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Jaybee

04-15-2019, 08:10 AM

Mark McM

04-15-2019, 09:40 AM

Shims.

^^^^ This.

Specifically, rotor shims:

https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Syntace_Disc-Shim_6-bolt-hub-rotor-alignment-shims_add-shims-to-fit.jpg

madsciencenow

04-15-2019, 12:27 PM

Thanks. Seems like when I looked for these last summer I couldn’t find a good option. I searched again and easily found what I think I need.

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