Until last year, I wasn't sold on 650b, either. But rather than spout off about something I hadn't tried, I decided to take advantage of the relatvely inexpensive Bleriot to see what all the fuss was about.

That was the great thing about the Bleriot; it was cheap compared to all the custom options and prettier than the other Taiwanese tig-welded frame available.

No one is trying to convert anyone. If you want to stick solely with 700c, who cares (I have 4 other 700c bikes and a 26") but try to resist making pronouncements on something you have no experience with. There is a big dif between 26 and 700, while the size dif between 700X23 and my 650b w/ Grand Bois "Hetre" is only 2 cm.

While it's true that you likely can't walk into your LBS and buy 650b, that's the fault of the LBS. I can walk into one here in this town (pop: 290,000) and get whatever I need. Anyway, doesn't everyone at BF buy online?

Is there anyone else here who knows the joy of riding on the Grand Bois "Hetre?" Now, we can talk.