Anybody toured on 650B wheels?
08-21-08, 07:48 PM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Anybody toured on 650B wheels?
Has anybody gone on a 4-5 day tour w/ 650B wheels? just wondering how this would compare to 700C wheels. I've got 650B wheels on my 1980's Specialized Sequoia and am thinking this would make a decent touring bike. I feel the 650B wheels handle pretty well but can be pretty sluggish on hills -- both up and down. Would it be worth it to put $200 or so into a 700C touring wheelset (from Harris Cyclery) or can 650B wheels be pretty comfy on tour? I should add that I'll probably be carrying around 40 lbs of gear.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Last edited by erbfarm; 08-21-08 at 08:25 PM.
08-22-08, 05:00 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Fife Scotland
Posts: 2,053
Bikes: Airnimal Chameleon; Ellis Briggs; Moulton TSR27 Moulton Esprit
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3291 Post(s)
Liked 827 Times
in
583 Posts
This is a non-issue really. The pros and cons of each tyre size even out and the only thing I can think of would be that the 650b size is more available in Europe in a variety of sizes.
08-22-08, 08:08 AM
#3
cyclopath
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Victoria, BC
Posts: 5,264
Bikes: Surly Krampus, Surly Straggler, Pivot Mach 6, Bike Friday Tikit, Bike Friday Tandem, Santa Cruz Nomad
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
For a 4 or 5 day tour just go for it with your existing wheels. If you want to be uber safe take a long a folding 650B tire with you.
It really isn't worth the time and $$$ to change anything for a few days and you are unlikely to have any issues.
As far as performance goes I can't comment, but you might just be happy to have some wider rubber if your tour takes you over some rough roads.
It really isn't worth the time and $$$ to change anything for a few days and you are unlikely to have any issues.
As far as performance goes I can't comment, but you might just be happy to have some wider rubber if your tour takes you over some rough roads.
