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

@edscoble @amey
650b rims for commuto x bike - tubeless definitely required
What would you suggest as a carbon rim or high end aluminium?

Good find! Thanks for the offer to post too, easy enough to order from Alpkit though.

Cheap 650b alu is already lighter than expensive carbon 700c, and stronger.

pls put em on scale and width at 35/40 psi on your chosen rims pls

650b are lighter than 700c yep .. a DJ answer would be WTB KOM and whatever width you want 21 or 23 internal .. a sensible answer would be a cheap DT rim; plenty choice here: https://www.bike24.com/1.php?__qf_product-list-order-by=&orderby=2&content=7&menu=1000%2C2%2C302%2C303&pgc%5B16654%5D=16656

on 23mm internal those WTB horizons come up at 47mm:

so if you are looking to get that combo check the clearance at seat stays near brake bridge, chainstays and fork. 19mm below 700c.

Will do

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/wtb-kom-i-21-tcs-rim/rp-prod140100

I have the cheaper wider (700c) version, at less than half price these have to be a no brainer.

^ winner

Get DT 350 hubs as they are very easy to convert to any axle standard (of today). Quite cheap too.

I'd stick with hope hubs just because they are what the security skewers on my commuto x bike are made to work with.

To be honest I don't need new wheels, just contemplating a needless purchase.

Sorry, I may get blasted for posting this on the 650 thread, but even though I love spending money on new unnecessary bicycle related stuff, I could never come to peace with the idea of converting, let's say, my AWOL to 650. Why? I currently run folding bead 35mm wide paselas (not radavist-favorite, sorry) on wide AWOL standard rims, and this setup is as plush as one would want. Why switch to, let's say, wtb horizons that weight at least 100 grams more than my current tires, with probably same outer wheel diameter? Am I going to save that much weight on rim and spoke length?

moar air, moar contact patch, moar instagram likes

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

I know man, I've been following prolly since his days in NYC too, but I guess in this case the most hip thing I'll ever do is get the new 700x44 squalmichimihocheewhatever tires from compass for next season (that is if I won't lay my hands on sawtooths from Spesh)

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.

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

Also, it keep the bicycle geometry unchanged in some aspect, says, a 700c with 23mm tyres, but with 650b x 42mm tyres, it still handle exactly as it used to but with a much more plushier tyres and grip for almost identical wheelset weight.

^^This!
Switching between 650 x 42mm slicks and 2.1 MTB tyres has really opened up ride possibilities where I live.
I'm toying with building a second wheelset to make swapping easier.

it still handle exactly as it used to

well you probably already know this but what usually happens is bb comes closer to ground and trail is reduced. so not exactly identical to previous.

regards someone who converted a wolverine

700 x 23 have almost identical diameter to 650b X 42.

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.

Yes. But how many will switch from 23c to 42c with the same bike?

That's not the point; the same goes for switching 700 x 32 to 584 x 2.0. Point being you get the same wheel diameter while tyre volume goes up (when you take the time to find the appropriate tyre size). Ofcourse bb height and trail is gonna be effected when you don't stay on same/nearly similar wheel diameter!

Hello.

(from 23 to 32mm actually)

You make a good point though, bb drop is a thing. I wasn't too careful about running narrow pedals post-op and ate tarmac as a result of pedal strike.

handling does not stay the same in my opinion, the bike is slower to steer in the corners, possible due to the extra weight of the tyres? currently running the 650b 2.0 re-fuse but just ordered the horizons to try

The ReFuse are heavy puncture resistant tyres so it will felt slower.