Originally Posted by Bandera

See post #31.

In looking at a 650B build as a test for a possible replacement winter/wet bike the current market is producing unnecessarily overbuilt equipment for my riding style and terrain.
Looking at "The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles" the constructors of the 40' & 50's were building Lightweight machines for long distances at pace on the rough secondary roads of the era. A minimalist approach to design adopting the new tech of the era.

Now?
What I'm seeing in the 650B marketplace is admittedly retro-stylish in a nod to the classic French Rando bikes but lacking the application of technical advances incorporated by modern road machines, definitely not in the spirit of the constructors. Very pleasant machines to ride I'm sure but an 853 frameset in a suitable geometry w/ 1 1/8" threadless steerer, low spoke count wheels, and a complement of braze-on fittings would be a low bar to set for a modern-ish 650B machine.
In a niche market even that isn't too much to ask in 2016.

-Bandera