Fixed 650b: I have that soon

Picked up my new 650b wheels built with Velo Orange rims and some old formula hubs that I already had. These will be going into a road bike conversion and are replacing some really hideous, lime green 700c wheels that were found cheap and in dire need of replacement. The frame has minimal clearance between tire and brake bridge with 700c/23mm tires, but should have ample space for a 650b/38mm tire without dropping the BB enough to cause problems. This will be a commuter, and likely the go-to around town and quick errand bike. Tires and long reach brakes are next on the list, but must wait until pay day. The reasons for this project are fun, opportunity, and curiosity.

This space will be updated as progress is made.

so a conversion already has a low bb compared to a trackbike but useing smaller wheels will fix that?

Who said there was a problem that I am trying to fix?

As vaultbrad said, he will run 38c tyres which will mean the wheel has a similar circumference to a 700c wheel with 23c tyre. Duh.

As vaultbrad said, he will run 38c tyres which will mean the wheel has a similar circumference to a 700c wheel with 23c tyre. Duh.

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It will be fine, providing that there's enough clearance for the width of the 38mm tyres, if it take 23mm max, then chance are you might only can get up to 32mm in 650B.

Low BB fixed isn't a problem, my fixed tourer have a 265mm BB.

I can tell you what long reach brake you, need, it's the Tektro R559.

Thanks, Ed. Those are the brakes I need, indeed, and the very ones I have lined up at the shop. Based on my measurements of the frame, I should have clearance for 38mm front and rear.

Additionally, should I find that I quite like the 650b thing, I will sell the frame I have and save for a more fitting frameset that will suit my needs better.

Or stick with the one you have, any old road frame is fine for 650b conversion.

Aren't the more expensive tektro calipers the same unit with different pads? Either way all of them are cheap at ribble.

Look real fun, very tempted to do that to my old fixed that have clearance for 42mm.

Thanks. It feels great on the road. The Panaracer Col De La Vie Randonnee tires are good so far. Have to figure out where and how I want my bars. Right now they feel ok, not perfect.

Sort out your seat position first and foremost, once it felt perfect, sort out the bar position.

Seat position is pretty well sorted, but the likelihood is that I'll be in the mkt for a frame that fits me better soon.

soon.

Longer or shorter reach?

Latter can be remedy by having a short reach handlebar.

Aren't the more expensive tektro calipers the same unit with different pads?

This is the case with some of the canti models. The calipres are differing reaches amongst other changes.

Grand.

Although I would be worried about touching those humongous platform pedals.

I had a big crash on my 650b conversion due to pedal strike. Ed will say slow down, don't lean where's the fun in that?

I have a much lower BB thank you @miro_o, why are you riding with massive pedals?

Me?

I'm putting keos on for this winter. I had the mks urban ezy things (atacs one side, flat the other). Untypical of mks pedals in that they are totally fucking shit.

The big pedals are alright with me. I took some corners at a good clip and didn't have pedal strike. This bike will see more slowish commuting and round towning than fast cornering and so forth

Bike looks like it's about to sneak off into the undergrowth, like a sneaky cat. Sort of the opposite of @Hulsroy's pomp conversion. It's interesting with all these wheel sizes and what happens to a frame when you switch between them!

My bikes live a hard life. I treat them well but they tend to get knocked about and locked up outside. I like the idea of a nice riding bike that looks ok enough for my humble tastes, but is too unassuming to draw much attention.

The outer diameter, before tire squish, of these wheels and tires is similar to that of a 700c x ~20mm wheel and tire. The ride feels pretty quick still despite the squishy tires.

Mine doesn't hold speed so well now it's 650b and 32mm tyred. That might be an aero thing or the fact the rims are holding less momentum.

It's much faster over shitty roads and wet turns!