650B conversions

GaryGkn
GaryGkn Posts: 1,199
edited June 2008 in Road general
Has anybody done a 650B conversion?

What do you guys think?

They look interesting I am not really into mountain bike but the 650B conversion would allow me to keep a road bike and take it on to paths and trails.

http://www.freewebs.com/650b/

Comments

  • meagain
    meagain Posts: 2,331
    I think that this

    "Why would someone devote a website to an obscure tire size?"

    is a ggod Q with no good A!
    d.j.
    "Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."
  • GaryGkn
    GaryGkn Posts: 1,199
    Wise words. I think they maybe editorially challenged.

    http://650b.com/wp-content/uploads/2008 ... s-650b.jpg

    However the cutting above sheds an interesting light.

    Why a new tire/wheel size? Well, for starters, the 650B size is anything but new. Second, if it were not for the Russian Army, all mountain bikes might, to this day, be equipped with 650B wheels and 26” and 29” might never have existed. Back in the infancy of mountain bikes, Tom Ritchey, Joe Breeze, and some other early pioneers were experimenting with 650B wheels because they could get lightweight aluminum rims in that size. The klunkers were built with heavy, steel 26” rims.

    More from link...

    http://blackmountaincycles.blogspot.com ... /650b.html
  • spin-cycle
    spin-cycle Posts: 395
    The 650 'revival' is a backlash. Grant Petersen and the other advocates are marketing to 'retrogrouch' types with money to burn.

    Having said that it's a pretty usable wheel size, and a good compromise between the two alternatives. Trouble is it's hard to get hold of stuff here. Even SJS don't stock 650b anymore. I looked into distributing rims and tyres abut a year ago, but there wasn't enough interest.

    http://wiki.bikelist.org/default.aspx/General.WhatAbout650B

    http://www.confreriedes650.org/eng-index.php[/url]
  • GaryGkn
    GaryGkn Posts: 1,199
    Apparently they are popular in Europe and then I find out that even in France there are hardly any users. I like the idea of being able to put large wide tyre on a road bike and go place s you wouldn't normally be able to. I might go there if I can find a suitable bike to upgrade.
  • fatbee
    fatbee Posts: 581
    The late, great and much-missed Sheldon Brown had some info/advice on this, and those Rivendeel people are advocates of this tyre size - albeit not on a frame built for 700c. You could do worse than check-out their respective sites. Riv'll sell you the tyres too.

    I met a guy in France a few years ago who'd done this. Big, fat 650Bs on a carbon race-frame (might've been a Giant, can't remeber for sure) with 57mm-drop brakes. Had a quick go and it was lovely - light as a feather (or so it seemed for a touring-looking bike,) comfortable as sin and handled well - which I think might've been partially down to the BB being lower as a result of the reduced dia. wheels. Although the resulting clearances didn't exactly scream "off-road".

    I'd certainly give it a go if I had the time, money and space!
  • fatbee
    fatbee Posts: 581
    I think RivendELL is probably what I meant.
  • GaryGkn
    GaryGkn Posts: 1,199
    Yes thanks Fatbee I have devoured all of their information now and I think I will just wait for the opportunity to arise. Starting with a suitable bike and then the upgrades. I am still keen.
  • fatbee
    fatbee Posts: 581
    Good news! Do post something about it here if/when you get the project underway won't you? Cheers.
  • GaryGkn
    GaryGkn Posts: 1,199
    At the moment I don't have anything suitable. I just bought a CB but it has 27" wheels and the dimensions are not really in the ball park. I will look for a close clearnce 700c 80's or 90's bike to convert.
  • spin-cycle
    spin-cycle Posts: 395
    Where are you going to get the bits from?
  • GaryGkn
    GaryGkn Posts: 1,199
    650B rims and tyres- mail order or Hewitt Cycles? Long drop brakes mail order Dia Compe centre pulls.

    Although now I have done some more research I quite fancied the Kogswell Porteur.

    http://kogswell.com/siteGEOblue.php

    As some people have said conversions can be expensive and they can't get really big tyres on. which is the whole point.and the BB can be a bit low.

    So the Riv Bleriot also seems like a good option.

    The Kogswell has horizontal dropouts so you can run as a fixed. The Riv has not got this facility or the option of down tube shifters just gears from the bars. Ergo etc or bar ends.

    The more I think about it the more I like the options of the Kogswell and the looks of the Bleriot.

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