Thoughts on 650B Conversions in 2013?
 

Every year or two, I get the idea I'd like to do a 650B conversion.

So I go out and read up on the subject, think about parts, frames, etc. But I've never got around to doing one.

Anyhow, I'm in the midst of my latest flare-up of this, and I note that the net chatter on 650B conversions of road bikes is way down - as an aside, I see it is way up for 26" MTB, but for road bikes there seems to be much less talk of this.

I'm wondering whether the subject abated because too many people got unsatisfactory results or boredom or what?

Just wondering. Of course, I may be all wrong about this, but most discussions/examples on the net about road conversions to 650B seem to date to 2011 or earlier.

I'd be interesting in hearing some recent, perhaps updated, opinions on the subject.

Thanks!

Many frames that I think may be good candidates for 650B conversion need to have canti mounts added.
This has to be a huge limiting factor.

I am working on an 1984 Lotus Classique conversion right out now. Been out of town too much for work to make much progress. Trying to sort out the brakes right now. I need 65mm of reach, but don't really want Dia Compe 750's. Everything reasonable seems to top out at 60-63mm. I have some Mavic 2000's that I know will work, but want to stay with Japanese on this build. We will see how it goes.

use a "race" bike from the 80s that took 27' wheels. that way you can fit 38s generally.

I was of the mind that if the bike can't fit 42mm Hetre's, why bother converting it? It is a limiting factor when looking at used, vintage frames. Most need canti mounts brazed on (as mentioned above) or have issues w/ clearances.

If not 42mm Hetres, I'd at least be happy squeezing some 38mm tires in there. I'm on 32mm now and am extremely curious as to how 38mm would feel.

Why so? Is there something Dia Compe 750s can't solve?

I want a fresh start.

Check out the Rawlands Stag.

Prototype is on their blog and looks fantastic for the bucks.

+1! On the new stuff. Rumor is SOMA is coming out with 650b designed by Mike Kone of Boulder Bicycles/Rene Herse.

Cheers,
Chris

I'd say most skinny tire racey type bikes would be good candidates for conversion. If you're used to riding 23s even a still relatively skinny 32 is still going to feel so much better. All you need are some tektro r559s.

Just think they look a touch odd. They start at 65mm, the regular 610's end at 60-62mm. I have a set of newer ones coming and we will see how they look.

Thanks.

I'll watch for this for sure.

Someone needs to make a drop bolt/bracket that looks attractive and allows normal-reach brakes with 650B rims.

Not C&V, but the Tektro R559 brakes are supposed to have 55-73mm of reach.

Since fenders are part of the appeal of 650B conversions, I think a drop-bolt that allowed short-reach calipers would defeat the purpose. (If the calipers could even fit around a 38-42mm tire.)

I looked at those and decided to go with the new version of the Dia Compe 750's. I will use the Mavacs as a back-up, but I was really trying to stay mid-80's Japanese. I am using French chainrings though. If it is like most projects, I will get it 75% done, lose interest, and hang it in the barn for an undetermined amount of time.

i think long reach brakes look cool...

With the Tektro CR-720s on my Schwinn, the wheelset and tires are the only thing I'd need if I wanted to go up from 26". If they ever make 650b studded tires, I'd probably go for it, and even without them, I'm kinda thinking about it, since the available tires sound really nice.

Wait, just looked it up, Nokian now makes their A10 in 650b. Maybe I'll have to finally try and build my own wheelset.

Can't speak for anybody else, but I don't write much about my 650b road conversion because I'm too busy riding it. Anybody interested in a 60cm Orbea Onix? It's getting lonesome and dusty.

SP
OC, OR

Interesting point... I'd certainly agree that some 'heat' over 650b has evaporated from new product marketing circles... Then again, maybe those of us who did make conversions are still quite satisfied with them.

Personally, I'll be building/ restoring an '84 Panasonic hybrid this summer, which actually seems to have been originally designed as a 650b frame (the geometry & measurements definitely check out). Which actually leaves me in a bit of a dilemma: do I sell my current Trek commuter (which I'm actually kind of attached to, despite the aggravation in building it; maybe in triumph over the sources of that aggravation) and use its 650b wheelset on the Panasonic, or keep it, build an entirely new 650b wheelset and have two 650b bikes?

Chestnuts, chestnuts...

My vote is for the latter -- there's a kind of satisfaction in riding a bike that took a lot of "debugging." :thumb:

I think people are more interested in new 650b bikes now. Starting to be a lot more choices

I'll have a late '70s Bertin converted within a few weeks. I found a donor Mirada at the GW on my way into work last spring and I'm finally getting around to finishing it. The front wheel is built, laced to a Sanyo dynamo. Rear is going to be laced to a beat Superbe hub as soon as I get time to replace the bearings. I test fit the wheel with a 42 Hetre and the clearances are going to be beautifull. I'll post some pics of the project sometime this week.

I actually don't think that 42mm Hetres or bust needs to be the goal of a conversion. There are many fine 650B tires in narrower widths, including the 32mm Grand Bois Cypres. I converted my '85 Raleigh Gran Course to those, and the ride is terrific, much more cush than it would be with the max 700 x 25mm tires it will fit.