C&V 650b conversion
11-19-16 | 12:39 PM
#101
Bike Butcher of Portland
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From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
I have a bike with 42mm Hetre tires, another with the 50+mm Rat Trap Pass 26". The 50+ is definitely squishy on the road, but excels on rough gravel.
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11-19-16 | 12:47 PM
#102
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Which bike are you running the 42 mm tire? Which one the 50 mm tire? From the posts here, it looks as if many 650 conversion bikes top out at 38 mm tires.
11-19-16 | 01:32 PM
#103
Bike Butcher of Portland
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From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
~73 or earlier Competitions (this one by J.P. Weigle):
same vintage Super Tourers fit them nicely:
image courtesy of bear_a_bug
Earlier Motobecane Grand Record frames have shorter stays, but the chainstays are dented, giving them clearance.
My UBI bike with Rat Trap Pass (52mm measured):
The UBI bike was purpose made for those tires. I doubt there are many, if any vintage non-MTB frames that would accept them, but converting a steel MTB from that time period to drop bars is pretty standard, and easily done, since they're already designed for 26" fat tires.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
11-19-16 | 06:11 PM
#104
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From: Connecticut
Bikes: are fun!
The UBI bike was purpose made for those tires. I doubt there are many, if any vintage non-MTB frames that would accept them, but converting a steel MTB from that time period to drop bars is pretty standard, and easily done, since they're already designed for 26" fat tires.
11-19-16 | 06:21 PM
#105
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^Taking yours and the other experts word for it. Happened to be at the LBS today and visit. Discussed the possibilities and sure enough conveyed pretty much the same.
Certainly the fun is in experimenting and of course was advised to build two sets of wheels. I'll see what becomes available for budget wheels and then bump up for the rubber. Great suggestions here.
Certainly the fun is in experimenting and of course was advised to build two sets of wheels. I'll see what becomes available for budget wheels and then bump up for the rubber. Great suggestions here.
11-19-16 | 06:38 PM
#106
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From: S.E CT.
Bikes: I've lost my mind!
I finally have a bit of "home time" before I head out of town again next week. I finished up my Schwinn Tempo 650b today and took it for a ride. First impression is that I am really going to like this one!
I only rode about 8 miles on the local MUP while my wife was walking the dog, but it seems nice and solid. I'm hoping the weather holds up tomorrow so I can put some miles on it.
I only rode about 8 miles on the local MUP while my wife was walking the dog, but it seems nice and solid. I'm hoping the weather holds up tomorrow so I can put some miles on it.
11-19-16 | 07:22 PM
#107
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From: Vancouver Wa.
Bikes: Surly Cross Check, '92 Trek 520, Novara Randonee, '89 Allez, Schwinn Sierra beater
I only rode about 8 miles on the local MUP while my wife was walking the dog, but it seems nice and solid. I'm hoping the weather holds up tomorrow so I can put some miles on it.[/QUOTE]
Looks great! May I ask how wide the tires that you've got on it there? I recently bought an '86 Trek elance and am kicking around the idea of converting it to 650b and a 9 speed mountain drive train.
Looks great! May I ask how wide the tires that you've got on it there? I recently bought an '86 Trek elance and am kicking around the idea of converting it to 650b and a 9 speed mountain drive train.
11-19-16 | 07:35 PM
#108
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From: S.E CT.
Bikes: I've lost my mind!
1Mule, the tires are Pari-Moto 38's. Thanks for the compliment. I haven't put more than about 8 miles on it, but I really think it's going to be nice for long rides. I have a Sugino triple, 46-36-26 up front with an 11-34 9 speed cassette. I've only ridden on flat ground and hoping to get out on some hills tomorrow morning if the weather holds up.
11-19-16 | 07:55 PM
#109
Bike Butcher of Portland
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From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
11-19-16 | 08:01 PM
#110
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From: Vancouver Wa.
Bikes: Surly Cross Check, '92 Trek 520, Novara Randonee, '89 Allez, Schwinn Sierra beater
1Mule, the tires are Pari-Moto 38's. Thanks for the compliment. I haven't put more than about 8 miles on it, but I really think it's going to be nice for long rides. I have a Sugino triple, 46-36-26 up front with an 11-34 9 speed cassette. I've only ridden on flat ground and hoping to get out on some hills tomorrow morning if the weather holds up.
11-19-16 | 09:36 PM
#112
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From: Connecticut
Bikes: are fun!
That Schwinn looks like a lot of fun, [MENTION=266217]otg[/MENTION]. We should find a time to ride, the SE part of the state looks like it has some fantastic riding.
Last edited by Sir_Name; 11-19-16 at 09:55 PM. Reason: otg
11-20-16 | 03:36 AM
#113
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From: The First State.
Bikes: Schwinn Continental, Schwinn Paramount, Schwinn High Plains, Schwinn World Sport, Trek 420, Trek 930,Trek 660, Novara X-R, Giant Iguana. Fuji Sagres mixte.
[MENTION=302603]bikemig[/MENTION],
I have a spare set of 650b Synergy rims laced to 36 hole Phil Wood FSA (130/freewheel) hubs. They don't get any use since I built another set of wheels (650b Pacenti PL23 to 36 hole dynamo front and VO rear cassette).
In fact, the last time they were used was when I loaned them to [MENTION=251447]ThermionicScott[/MENTION] last year, for his 650b fit test.
Anyway, they're located in Cedar Rapids any time you want to borrow them. If you like them, you can make me an offer.
Regarding 650b rims: The Weinmann ZAC19 rims have too-deep wells that tend to capture the tire and prevent the bead from seating easily. Synergy rims have a similar problem, but not to the extreme of the ZAC19s.
Mounting a tire on the ZAC19 rim takes lots of manual wrestling to get the tire bead up out of the valley.
I have two sets of the Uglyrm ZAC19 wheels. They're very inexpensive and the hubs have been reliable, but the mounting frustration lessens their value a bit.
My Pacenti rims seem to be a bit tougher to get the tire onto at first, but once mounted the tire goes right into its proper place up on the bead.
I have a spare set of 650b Synergy rims laced to 36 hole Phil Wood FSA (130/freewheel) hubs. They don't get any use since I built another set of wheels (650b Pacenti PL23 to 36 hole dynamo front and VO rear cassette).
In fact, the last time they were used was when I loaned them to [MENTION=251447]ThermionicScott[/MENTION] last year, for his 650b fit test.
Anyway, they're located in Cedar Rapids any time you want to borrow them. If you like them, you can make me an offer.
Regarding 650b rims: The Weinmann ZAC19 rims have too-deep wells that tend to capture the tire and prevent the bead from seating easily. Synergy rims have a similar problem, but not to the extreme of the ZAC19s.
Mounting a tire on the ZAC19 rim takes lots of manual wrestling to get the tire bead up out of the valley.
I have two sets of the Uglyrm ZAC19 wheels. They're very inexpensive and the hubs have been reliable, but the mounting frustration lessens their value a bit.
My Pacenti rims seem to be a bit tougher to get the tire onto at first, but once mounted the tire goes right into its proper place up on the bead.
11-20-16 | 09:07 AM
#114
multimodal commuter
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: NJ, NYC, LI
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
I think the problem isn't exactly the valley, but definitely some detail in the way the bead of the tire meshes with the hook of the rim. I'm sure there is a way to fix this, adding just the right amount of material at just the right place on the rim, but it might not be as simple as an extra layer of tape.
11-20-16 | 09:12 AM
#115
multimodal commuter
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: NJ, NYC, LI
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
I think the problem isn't exactly the valley, but definitely some detail in the way the bead of the tire meshes with the hook of the rim. I'm sure there is a way to fix this, adding just the right amount of material at just the right place on the rim, but it might not be as simple as an extra layer of tape.
11-21-16 | 08:55 AM
#116
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Bikes: 1997 Rivendell Road Standard 650b conversion (tourer), 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10 (gravel/tour), 2013 Foundry Auger disc (CX/gravel), 2016 Cannondale Fat CAAD 2 (MTB/winter), 2011 Cannondale Flash 29er Lefty (trail MTB)
[MENTION=266217]otg[/MENTION]'s Tempo conversion turned out great. It makes me consider converting an '88 Schwinn Prelude I picked up this spring.
I doubt it would fit anything more than a 700 x 28, so 650 x 38 would be an improvement (in my opinion). And I already have the wheels and brakes sitting around...
11-21-16 | 10:21 AM
#117
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From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
My '88 Bianchi Premio doesn't quite have good enough clearance under the front brake caliper for a 700x28C. Even with a true front wheel and a true-to-size Pasela, it gives a "ziiip-ziiip" sound when riding out of the saddle. Maybe I should make a 650B roadie out of it. 
11-22-16 | 11:21 AM
#118
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Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Bikes: 1997 Rivendell Road Standard 650b conversion (tourer), 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10 (gravel/tour), 2013 Foundry Auger disc (CX/gravel), 2016 Cannondale Fat CAAD 2 (MTB/winter), 2011 Cannondale Flash 29er Lefty (trail MTB)
My '88 Bianchi Premio doesn't quite have good enough clearance under the front brake caliper for a 700x28C. Even with a true front wheel and a true-to-size Pasela, it gives a "ziiip-ziiip" sound when riding out of the saddle. Maybe I should make a 650B roadie out of it.
I put my spare 650b/Phil wheels on the '88 Prelude last night, and they fit pretty well. The 38 mm tires are closest (1 mm) at the chainstays.
I'm going to take the adjustment screws out of the droputs so I can slam the wheel all the way back for max clearance.
I just sold my Roadeo frame, so I'll build up the Prelude with the drivetrain it was using (7s Ergopower, 46/30 crank)
11-22-16 | 11:55 AM
#119
aka: Dr. Cannondale
Joined: Jul 2009
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Rode the Pelizzoli withh 650B's this past weekend in AZ on El Tour. Loup Loup Pass 38's on Velocity A23's with Record hubs.
'Twas like riding on a cloud, surrounded by flying unicorns farting rainbows. Seriously smooth.
'Twas like riding on a cloud, surrounded by flying unicorns farting rainbows. Seriously smooth.
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11-22-16 | 11:56 AM
#120
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11-22-16 | 12:33 PM
#121
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My UBI bike with Rat Trap Pass (52mm measured):
The UBI bike was purpose made for those tires. I doubt there are many, if any vintage non-MTB frames that would accept them, but converting a steel MTB from that time period to drop bars is pretty standard, and easily done, since they're already designed for 26" fat tires.
The UBI bike was purpose made for those tires. I doubt there are many, if any vintage non-MTB frames that would accept them, but converting a steel MTB from that time period to drop bars is pretty standard, and easily done, since they're already designed for 26" fat tires.
11-22-16 | 03:40 PM
#123
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From: SW Florida The Everglades
Bikes: Rivendell Chevoit and a Panasonic 1986 7500 MTB
There are some older threads on this but nothing that has been kept up-to-date.
I've been thinking of doing a 650b conversion for long distance endurance riding. I know that's kind of an in thing at this point and I like the idea of fat cushy tires for a long day on the road. I'm sitting on a 1978 Trek 510 (it's a full ishiwata 022 frameset) that would make a fine 650b bike and I'm fence sitting on whether to do the conversion or not.
I'm curious who's done a 650b conversion, your experiences in making the conversion, and pics, of course, are always welcome,
. Details please as to what worked and what didn't is helpful as well.
I've been thinking of doing a 650b conversion for long distance endurance riding. I know that's kind of an in thing at this point and I like the idea of fat cushy tires for a long day on the road. I'm sitting on a 1978 Trek 510 (it's a full ishiwata 022 frameset) that would make a fine 650b bike and I'm fence sitting on whether to do the conversion or not.
I'm curious who's done a 650b conversion, your experiences in making the conversion, and pics, of course, are always welcome,
. Details please as to what worked and what didn't is helpful as well.Have you seen this? 650B Conversion Guidlines
11-22-16 | 04:17 PM
#124
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From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
I think the easy way to do a 650b-with-42's conversion on a MTB would be to start out with a disk-brake 26er cross country frame, and forget about rim brakes. I have in a few places before spelled out my idea of a convertible disk brake bike, I do think it would work.
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11-22-16 | 04:42 PM
#125
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From: Middle Earth (aka IA)
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Have you seen this? 650B Conversion Guidlines
