[QUOTE=bmclaughlin807;5359442]Actually, I talked to a custom frame builder a few months ago... he's gone to 650b on all his frames. (He specializes in touring and randonneuring bikes)

Better ride, and fewer issues with toe overlap, among other things.


And if he'd gone to 559, there would be even less risk of toe overlap, and you'd find both wheels and tyres almost everywhere in a pinch, plus new wheels and wheel parts would be easier and cheaper to find, and at the same time allowing much wider tyres and slightly less wind resistance, all other things being equal.

I really can't see why anyone would use anything else for a touring/rando bike.