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

Just acquired what I believe is a 1993 Hardrock Ultra like the one pictured below. Will 27.5 fit? If so, is there any decent rim braking wheelsets within £150 (135mm, 100mm) Cheers

Will 27.5 fit?

Why tho?

Already given up, just gonna some 26 with fat tyres

Already given up, just gonna some 26 with fat tyres

You're better off. Only a matter of time before everyone currently polishing their knobs over 650B discover they can put 26" wheels with 2.3s on their bikes.

I've just built a 650B wheelset, using Mach1 'Combo' single eyelet rim brake rims (http://www.mach1.fr/en/rims/combo-108). I can confirm that they build up very nicely. Pic below - have built them onto Formula/System EX fixed hubs for use on my 1956 Carlton Track/Path bike.

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Nice one, good to know there's another black rim brake option out there. Most seem to be of the shiny retro persuasion now pacenti are out.

Nice! Are those stickers on the rim? potentially easy to remove?

probably being a noob but cant work out how you buy anything on that site :)

They are indeed stickers - can be removed without a problem.

Unfortunately, I can't find anywhere that just sells the rims. However, you can get them built up into 'Tru-build' wheels on eBay for £24: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/163012977278
&
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152993378508

I actually bought my pair when they were on Amazon prime, and I think I paid £22 each. However, it looks like I got the last two there.

Bit of a faff to dismantle the wheels, but 10 minutes each on the wheel truing stand with a cordless screwdriver, and they were unlaced. As a bonus, I've now got a couple of Quando QR hubs, plus a load of black spokes for the spares box.....

On another note - what do people do for mudguards on their 650B's?

I'll be using the above wheels for commuting - tyres are 650 x 38B, and I'm not sure whether to go for 700C mudguards or 26" ones. 650B/27.5" ones don't seem to be available (unless you go for GB or Velo Orange ones, which are a bit over my budget)

Using 700c longboards on mine. 26" GBs on my other half's. Both work well.

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On another note - what do people do for mudguards on their 650B's?

If your bike has fender eyelets, I highly recommend scratching together the coin for the Velo Orange fenders.

I have the Zeppelins on 650x42s and there is plenty of coverage AND clearance. They're relatively easy to setup and across three bikes I've never had issues with them rattling or "kissing" my tires.

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Those do look good. What mudflaps do you have fitted?

Looks fantastic!

What mudflaps do you have fitted?

Homebrew ones cut from rubber-matting lol

@mk1mark cheers!

Converting my Surly Pacer to 650b (I'm bored...) Looks like it will fit a 38 in the front and a 42 in the rear. Any negatives (other than aesthetic) to having a bigger tyre in the back? Having the 42 would help with bb clearance (the bb drop is 72)

'scuse the spam. Got some cheapz low trail forks going here:
https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/328484/#comment14530284

Ah I want (need?) a set of these.. so close to Christmas though :-s

Well, either way I'll bring them over. Might be so weird/specific that they hang around for a while

The difference between 38/42 is pretty negligibly - Might look odd though. Also would it really help the BB clearance? A bigger rear tire wouldn't really raise so much as pivot it slightly, right?

Just go 38/38. Plenty of people have done that on a pacer with success.

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Cheers, I think your right it would be pretty negligible. Overthinking a bit.
Interesting low trail 650b Pacer:
https://www.pedalroom.com/bike/surly-pacer-rando-35068#photo281817

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Those are nice. Some people go all-out with the Pacer conversions. If you go with a new fork, you may be able to get away with 42c front & rear.

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Hopefully getting one of the low trail forks posted above, that should make 42's a possibility and raise the bb a bit. Currently using a rear rack and panniers but want to experiment with a front rack. Worth a go! Cycle truck is looking good btw!

Cycle truck is looking good btw!

Thanks!

Any recommendations for 47c alternatives to the Horizons for predominantly road use? Ideally a non tan wall tyre.

These sound great but incredibly pricey: https://road.cc/content/review/244744-compass-650b-x-48-switchback-hill-extralight-tc

Not an expert on tires but last time I visited compass website I saw that they propose their tires with two options, standard I think (can't remember exactly) and extralight (which seems to be the one proposed in your link) which adds a bit of cost, so maybe they propose it non-extralight = cheaper?