Koga Miyata 650B fixed

koga_650B_fixed-_I by MattBeindorff, on Flickr

After lurking on the forum for quite some time, watching and reading I thought it was time to show one of my bikes. It's my Koga Miyata conversion that I use in the winter. I recently replaced the 700C wheels with 650B wheels to get the extra clearance for fenders and fatter Grand Bois 32C tires.

I also wanted a more upright position so I decided to try a Soma moustache with a Nitto periscopa stem. It is definitely different from my two other bikes which are way more racey, but I think I like it.

Did you mean to post this in CP?
Even if you didn't it really does belong there.

Mmm, I guess I should have... although it isn't an ongoing project. Can I move this thread myself?

I think a mod needs to do, shall I request it be moved for you?

Yes please!

"I think a mod needs to do, shall I request it be moved for you?"

Reported for grooming.

I was hoping for some positive or negative comments. Is the bike that bland? Anyway, have done some miles and have to adjust the gear ratio. It's now 46x18 which is a bit light, although easy with the strong winds in winter.

I really like it and have wanted a SS 650B conversion for a while. I was wondering about converting my old track frame, but as its struggling with 28c on the rear due to the chainstays I'm not sure how good an idea it is.

The one thing that does look a bit off is the handle bar and break setup. If you're having "upside down" north road style bars I prefer them with road levers.

It's really nice to have a wider tire and the Grand Bois tires are a great ride.

The brake setup was a difficult one. I chose the Soma 3 speed II handlebar because it has less drop compared to the standard 3 speed. The II also has a smaller diameter suitable for flat bar levers, which I don't like especially not with normal grips.
Would be ugly anyway since I only use one brake. This was the best, maybe not a nice, solution I could think of.

It's very Rivendellisque.

I loved my Grand Bois, they even last 3,000km with little problem (Cypres 700c).

If my Rando go according to plan, I may go for a 650b 42c Fixed Wheel Rando bike...

Funny, because I just discovered Rivendell, after I finished it. Of course I looked around on the net and copied some ideas, since there are (as far as I know) no bikes like this in The Hague / The Netherlands.
Today I saw the employee bikes on the Rivendell site, they are gorgeous so I'll take it as a compliment. Just like those bikes, I could do with 2 cm bigger so I don't need as much seatpost sticking out.

Just some info on the bike: the wheels are hand built by Marten (www.m-gineering.nl) with VO 650b rims and really nice aby-k hubs (single fixed). I also got the stainless steel fenders from him. The frame is a Koga-Miyata (a Miyata imported by a company that added the Koga part), nitto stem and soma handlebars. Cranks are the original shimano ones with a stainless surly chainring. Add some stuff by brooks et voila!

And of course I follow your rando thread edscoble! It looks like it is going to be a beautiful bike.

I have to says, why the lack of rear brakes? I'm aware it's a fixed wheel bicycle, just that it's not always necessary to not have a rear just because.

It is just so generally accepted not have a rear brake, I just never really thought about installing one. But maybe I'll try it and see if I like it. I bought the Tektro brakes as a pair after all, the rear one is just sitting in the cupboard.