Originally Posted by
robatsu
I think that this viewpoint is totally defensible. The real question, noting that that karmat doesn't yet have a 650B, then is whether this need is adequately served by 26" wheels or to be truly realized needs a 650B manifestation. Me, I dunno. Aesthetically, the 650B road bikes look better to me - I'm continually figuring out how I'm finally going to do a 650B build - but I wonder if the 650B really is a substantially better solution than 26" wheels.
26s are too small to convert most bikes that came with 27s or 700s. Many brakes are at their limit converting even to 650B from 700. Most can't even handle that. Aesthetics of 26s are poor IMHO as well, but of course that's a subjective argument.
The other problem with 26s is that outer wheel diameter is directly related to the ease with which you can maintain speed. The fewer rotations of the wheel, the lower the rolling resistance. Aero drag is going to be nearly equivalent. There's lots of information out there about wheel diameter and speed (here for example:
http://www.precisiontandems.com/artbillwheelsize.htm). Back to the point, though, 26s end up with a lower effective wheel diameter than 700s. 650B maintains that diameter while giving you a softer ride. And fits a lot more bikes.
Cheers,
Karl