Does 21" wheel change geometry?

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Mar 8, 2015 | 01:58 PM

#11

Alain

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Joined: Jul 2008

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From: north jersey

The front end is gonna feel heavier. In other words, turning your handle bars is gonna take more effort.

Like others said, it's not terrible, you'll get used to it. Once in a while you might feel a little instability at high speeds.

I rode my rocker with a 21 inch wheel (2 inches bigger than stock) for 5 years before I evened the bike out by using raked trees. The difference was very noticeable for me. I'll never go back to having an uneven ride.

Mar 8, 2015 | 07:51 PM

#12

nikonf8

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21 inch

The biggest difference I can feel it when stopped and maneuvering your bike like pivoting and things like that but on the road not much of a difference un less you do not have enough air in it

Mar 8, 2015 | 08:00 PM

#13

amkaos

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2014

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From: usa

Well yeah, for me stock wheel size is just fine then..this yrs budget is probly burned anyway then

Mar 8, 2015 | 11:46 PM

#14

SanJuanRon

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Joined: Dec 2010

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From: High in the Colorado Rockies

The geometry is slightly different -- but after a few rides you won't even notice the difference. I have a Heritage (21/18) and a Deluxe (16/16) and really don't notice a difference except on very slow speed maneuvers. I lowered the Heritage 1". I will be changing the Deluxe to 21/16 next year. SJ Ron

Mar 9, 2015 | 09:23 AM

#15

Fat11Lo

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From: Columbus, OH

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbonetony06

There are some VERY sweet bikes in this forum but I just cant see myself or my bike with anything other than these 16"'s I'm running. I just like all that big fat rubber out in front or me.

That's why I went with the 140/70/21, trying to keep that Fat Boy look. For some reason though I think the lower profile tires look better with the spoke wheels

Mar 9, 2015 | 11:43 AM

#16

ADRENALINE RUSH

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Joined: Jul 2011

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From: South East PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat11Lo

That's why I went with the 140/70/21, trying to keep that Fat Boy look. For some reason though I think the lower profile tires look better with the spoke wheels

me too! the whole bikes stripped down now, but i'll have to post some pics when i have it on.

Mar 9, 2015 | 11:44 AM

#17

ADRENALINE RUSH

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From: South East PA

also if you go with a 21" wheel you might want to consider lowering the front to match the rise from the larger diameter wheel (adjust even more if you have the rear lowered).

Mar 9, 2015 | 01:15 PM

#18

Fat11Lo

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From: Columbus, OH

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADRENALINE RUSH

also if you go with a 21" wheel you might want to consider lowering the front to match the rise from the larger diameter wheel (adjust even more if you have the rear lowered).

I did 4 degree trees, lowering kit in the front and installed a Shotgun Shock at the same time of my wheel swap. I spent a couple of days with a square, a tape, an angle gauge and some string. Measuring, checking, double and triple checking all of the numbers to make sure my bike was safe on paper. Then it was test riding, getting the feel of the new setup and slowly testing the handling. It rides great, smooth at 80mph cruising and have pushed it up to 100 without any problem.