salsa alternator and reduction plates

[alpamayo]

I just picked up a 2017 fargo frame. I need to build it up and I'd like to be able to switch it easily from on-road/gravel use to more legit off-road bikepacking. My thought was to get two separate wheel sets, a 29 set for road/gravel and a 27.5+ for more off-road. Especially with tubless set-up, I don't really want to mess with swapping tires all the time.

The alternator dropouts are 148mm but can accept 142 with a "reduction plate" I've never seen the reduction plates, so I'm wondering how easy they are to swap in and out. Should I really try to have both rear wheels 148, or is it easy enough to put on the reduction plate and have the 27.5+ be 148 and the 29 be 142? My gut feeling is that I'd like them both to be the same.

Side note, recommendations on wheels? It seems that buying pairs it is more difficult to get a 100x15 front (fargo front fork) paired with a 148x12 (most 100 fronts seem to be paired with a 142).

[THE LONG RANGER]

Chainline going to be different from the 142 wheelset and the 148 wheelset?

[RonK]

Alternator plates are easy to change, but I wouldn’t want to have to do that for every wheel swap. Better to have both wheels with the same spacing.

Many hubs are easily converted to different spacings just by changing the end caps. So check if the wheelsets you’re considering have convertible hubs.