650b Croix De Fer - Congratulations, it's an apple.

Yeah way faster than I expected! Hopefully it lasts well. Forgot to say that the mechanic also agreed to chuck some ACF-50 I bought inside the frame, so that should keep things bubble-free for a while.

I'm getting it done at a place called Bettablast (up here in Newcastle). My mechanic recommended it and I later found out it's the facility of choice for a lot of cyclists round this way.

And they had a dog in their office, which almost makes the above inconsequential.

13/10 good boy would stroke again.

It's back on the road, all smooth and silent, and I like it enough that I can forget the horrendous overspend on both powdercoat and workshop costs.

The sparkles aren't easy to do justice but they're real nice.

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This is nice! Good work.
@Neddos have a gander.

@tyeness have you filed out the 3 holes in the tubus rack to get it flat?

Thank you! ☺️

No filing necessary - it's a thorn fork, so mounts galore and the geometry seems to work out.

Just used a couple of spacers to get it to clear the fork and/or brake

It's black! Looks great, especially with the silver spokes, classy.

Thank you! I'll take credit for the classiness despite it being a total accident :D

I think I kinda wanted it to look plain from a distance, but up mildly disco up close.

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very nice build, I'd like to do similar ,any ideas what the largst 650b tyre a croix de fer would take without mud guards? 47mm wtb horizons maybe ?

I have a Genesis day one and that can just squeeze in horizon/byway both coming up at 50mm.

I have 47mm WTB byways on mine with good clearance

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Hi Technics,

On what CdF model you managed to mouns the 650bx47? What kind of clearing do you get?
I have mesured my CdF 20 2016 XL at the narrowest area between the chain stays(about where the tire would fit) and it only has 50mm. Was a bit disapointed as I was after the WTB 47s also. I am not sure how much improvement would be from a 700x35 to a 650x44 in terms of comfort on rougher routes and I am hesitaying about them.

Definitely noticable, but the bikes going to drop, the 44mm tyre wont take up as much height

I have 650b 42mm in an old CdF. Not had pedal strike yet and rides fine

Aware of the drop. If I remember right I think I would lose up to 15mm. But I would be more incline towards the 47 rather than 44, especially as I fancy the Venture from WTB.

It's a 2014 model.. clearance isn't huge.. maybe 2-3mm each side, but it's enough for what I need.. I noticed a good difference jumping from 32mm 700c gravelkings to the 650b 47c... far more comfortable over the rougher stuff.. You could try the 42mm WTB Resolutes.. might give a bit more clearance