All The Six Fifty Bees Thread! (650b, 27.5 etc.).

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weightweenies is that way >>>>>>>>>>>>>

You're absolutely right 650b is less effective when your 700c or 26 frame already takes big tyres. It gets more interesting on road disc frames that normally take up to ~700x28

It kind of depends. I went up to 700x38 on my pomp, and they were great but it kind of felt like the wheels were getting TOO big. In that case 650x38 would have been the same sort of squish but the acceleration and handling would have been better. In the same vein, my 26x54 Compass tyres feel better than the 700x38 Challenge tyres, as the rims and tyres are pretty much the same weight.

So basically, as I understand it you can switch to 650 to reduce weight and size, or to keep the same weight and size while increasing squish

If the bike come with 700c and big tyres, there is little point in changing.

However, one of the other main advantage of 650b is being able to run MTB tyres, a good example is the Specialized Sequoia that run 700x42mm currently, but with 650b, 2.0 tyres will fit, maybe bigger.

I have my bike build to take 700c x 38mm tyres, 650b x 2.1 tyres or 26" 2.2 tyres simply by providing ample chainstay clearance.

Why?

With regards to reasons why someone would like to convert I'd like to add to the list: tyre choices

Supple "road plus" sizish tires have only recently surfaced from Soma, Wtb and compass in 700c and the selection and availability has been much better in 650b.