I have a 2000 era Motobecane DS500 which is a FS bike and also weighs a ton. I'd like to try putting a new fork and 29" wheel on the front but a bike shop guy talked me out of it b/c it would totally throw off the handling. Wanted to get some opinions of you all here on the mtbr forums.

Thanks
Patrick

Short travel FS bikes IMO are unlikely candidates for conversions, for all the reasons mentioned in the 69 FAQ.
Conversion will not make it a light or better bike, just maybe a nicer handling front end. FS however is all about the rear end.

Sorry, I had done a 69er FAQ search and couldn't find it.