Originally Posted by
bikemig
I haven't made up my mind yet; that's the point of the thread. One possible downside with the bike I want to use is that it maxes out at a 32c and fenders (and even that is tight). Everything else being equal, I like running a bit fatter than a 32c for touring even on roads.
Agreed that I'm not going with lightweight tires whether I'm running 650b or 700c.
This has less to do with drinking the 650b kool aid and more with wanting to run a bit fatter tire on a 34 year old bike. A modern touring bike of course can take a 35c-38c and fenders no problem. Mine can't unless I go the 650b route.
I apologize if I came across heavy-handed, I do that sometimes. My intended point is that there's not much reason in going to 650B for loaded, long distance touring.
On the fat tire question, I ran predominantly 35s, and occasionally 37s, for years. But strangely, on tour as the 35s wore out and I had, and could find, 32s, I didn't notice any significant change in the ride. The load and the bike drive most of the ride. Since then I've ridden mostly 32s, with occasionally even a 28. It's rarely been a problem. (Eastern Colorado and its horrible expansion joints excluded!)