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

https://surlybikes.com/bikes/pack_rat

Oh yeah, forgot about that. Was hoping they'd be discounted when they realised no one was buying them. Hasn't happened yet.

I found the Soma probably the most pocket friendly and having decent availability, I'm waiting for the disc version to come out, then hopefully a price drop on the canti version.

Possibly the BLB Hitchhiker?
Not sure if the brake posts are positioned for 700c or 650b though.

I'd put money on it being 700c, either way, the addition of disc tabs means that'll be as overbuilt as a disc only frame, slightly defeating any advantage of running rim brakes.

Not bad to look at mind.

@jontea who's supplying Soma in the UK now? I bought my ES straight from the importer years ago.

Southern Distribution, think it's about £540ish direct from them.

You're probably right, but is is the only one that sprang to mind..
Somas are prettier though.
Wouldn't mind one of their mixtes for the misses!

Wouldn't mind one of their mixtes for the misses!

You have more than one missus?! I got one of those a few years back. A Soma mixte, I mean. It's not bad, but in hindsight I am not certain I'd buy it again.

I just want a rSogn and I'm bitter I'll never have one.

Ha!
It seems comitting to an engineering degree has finally taken it's toll on my language skills :D
There's just one missus ;)

@Silly_Savage maybe saving up for a custom job is the best option then ?

I put WTB byways (47mm 650B) on my genesis Croix de Fer, they roll great and are good on road, but i'm finding them too slippy even in the dry on gravel.. I end up wheel spinning when out of the saddle on climbs. I was thinking of changing to Gravelking SK's again in 47mm. any other suggestions? Mostly for road with some light gravel..

I end up wheel spinning when out of the saddle on climbs.
any other suggestions?

Don't get out of the saddle on climbs, fit lower gearing.

If you do still get out of the saddle, control power and body weight distribution (inb4hippyisfat) so the wheel doesn't spin. If you slam down on the pedals while springing forward out of the saddle, you're unweighting the rear wheel and it's gonna break traction. Smooth out power application and adjust posture to control weight between the wheels and you can control wheel slip. Sometimes it's unavoidable but mostly it should be controllable.

Yeah but that's not what it looks like in all the cool gravel videos.

Where every ride is 100k of out of the saddle sprints, sliding round corners and the odd wheelie.

Like this.. LOL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAIrQbDFnTo&t=34s

Thanks for the tips.. I have 42t up front with 11-36t on the rear.. What is inb4hippyisfat?? I still think a non-slick centre would help.. I'm also running reasonable pressure as it's 5 miles of roads before I get onto the trails..

what are the best longevity/weight-ratio 650b mudguards to cover a 47c tyre? Budget ~£90.

Gilles Berthoud 26", 60mm wide

Perhaps not the lightest option out there but they're lovely.

If you do go GB, Clandestine bikes sells them for a good price. I ordered some 650b 60mm for my 650x47s based on Pi's advice. Haven't fitted them yet thou...

https://www.clandestine.cc/product/gilles-berthoud-mudguards/

I did another few rides with the byways and try to stay in the saddle etc.. but in the end ordered some Gravelking SK's.. huge difference in grip.. same bike and trails and no slipping or wheelspinning.. also quieter on the roads, but maybe not rolling just as fast..

If it works for you, stick with 'em.

Interesting. I was thinking of swapping my SKs to Byways for more road speed.

I almost fitted a 32mm Gravel King to the grrl's bike yesterday but went with 32mm Hyper Voyager coz they're meant to be her fast wheels.

Are they actually faster?

650Bx47 Byways are slower than 700x32 Gravel King SK but that's pretty much to be expected given the size/pressure difference but I wonder how closer versions would compare.

650Bx47 Byways are slower than 700x32 Gravel King SK

Show me your study

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TP2UiAIyAbK7iR2X0mlGWWB7aJkbOecfrCmimqwcdGk/edit#gid=1991044987