Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - 650b

I have been thinking about getting a new bike. I was reading Bike Quarterly
last nite, and some comments persuaded me that I wanted to try the Grand Bois
Hetre 42c tires.

Has anyone gone 650b? My wife has the 650b Bleriot, but I am looking for
opinions of Clydes. By the time I get this done I will be close to 60 year sold.
I am looking for a lively bike, but one with a really nice ride so I can keep riding
as I get older.

I am looking at custom frames. I have some fit issues, and between the cost and
the fitting problems, Rivendell may not be a good choice for me. Wish I could go there and try their bikes and see it they would fit me.

You might want to try the Panaracer Col De La Vie, there's a lot of positive remarks on that tire too.
You probably want something like a sport tourer. Clearance for fenders and big tires, but with steeper angles to keep the handling quick, like a 74 degree headtube and relatively short chainstays, but enough for small pannier clearance (if you were to install a rack). In all honesty, call up Rivendell. Tell them about your predicament. Grant and the crew should be able to help you out. And if you can't find it there, call up one of the many custom builders throughout the country. Somebody WILL be able to help you. It may not even be from a place you're expecting.
-Gene-

Thanks,
while you are right about the sport tourer part, I like panniers and want chainstays long
enough for them, although they don't need to be the full 145.

And yes, I do need to call some builders with 650b experience. I was hoping a Clyde with
a 650b might be able to steer me in the right direction.

Hey late, long time no type.

Check out Velo Orange and their new frame set. I think it takes 650 and the $400 price tag is pretty appealing, as is it's sport touring geometry.

I think rim selection is going to be the challenge. Most applications of 650 seem to be touring related, so high spoke count should be a basic design, but I haven't put any effort into researching it.

Rims are easy. Velocity Synergy rims are quite good.

The Velo Orange Polyvalent looks interesting. Wonder what their
Rando frame will be like.

Rims are easy. Velocity Synergy rims are quite good.

The Velo Orange Polyvalent looks interesting. Wonder what their
Rando frame will be like.

Good question. The nice thing is you can e-mail them and ask all the questions you want. They are pretty good at returning e-mails and answering what questions they have.

A nice Rando is one thing missing from my herd. It's also the last thing I need to drag home beings a little surprise is already headed toward the house. My wife is going to be so thrilled. NOT!