650b Commuter Bike ?
01-20-17, 01:35 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,502
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2377 Post(s)
Liked 1,697 Times
in
1,068 Posts
I'd say there'd be at least one disadvantage. 650b tires are generally more expensive than 700C, so you're spending more money for replacements.
01-20-17, 01:37 PM
#3
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,847
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...
Mentioned: 572 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1903 Post(s)
Liked 548 Times
in
326 Posts
The advantage of 650b over 700c is mainly one of comfort. It doesn't really have anything to do with hills or gearing. You can now get much fatter 700c tires than previously, and bikes that fit them, so that does away with much of the advantage of 700c.
Yesterday I started commuting on a newly built up bike, which is a 45 year old Bottecchia frame now with 650b wheels. This is a good way to make an old racing bike much more comfortable.
Yesterday I started commuting on a newly built up bike, which is a 45 year old Bottecchia frame now with 650b wheels. This is a good way to make an old racing bike much more comfortable.
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
01-20-17, 01:40 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2,237
Bikes: This list got too long: several ‘bents, an urban utility e-bike, and a dahon D7 that my daughter has absconded with.
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 358 Post(s)
Liked 59 Times
in
44 Posts
I often consider putting 650b on my commuter just to reduce the step-over; but I already strike my pedals when I am being inattentive, 650b would just make that worse.
01-20-17, 02:47 PM
#5
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 9,900
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4128 Post(s)
Liked 2,689 Times
in
1,467 Posts
I totally read that as "650 lb Commuter Bike".
01-20-17, 04:28 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,603
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 507 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3104 Post(s)
Liked 3,460 Times
in
1,318 Posts
Sometimes you need that extra stuff in your panniers....
__________________
My Bikes
My Bikes
01-21-17, 09:23 AM
#7
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,716
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3090 Post(s)
Liked 2,052 Times
in
1,335 Posts
You could probably think up some advantages but they won't be as important as overall weight of you+bike, your fitness, and general local unavailability of 650b spares.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
01-21-17, 03:43 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: US
Posts: 791
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 404 Post(s)
Liked 169 Times
in
113 Posts
The advantage of 650b over 700c is mainly one of comfort. It doesn't really have anything to do with hills or gearing. You can now get much fatter 700c tires than previously, and bikes that fit them, so that does away with much of the advantage of 700c.
Yesterday I started commuting on a newly built up bike, which is a 45 year old Bottecchia frame now with 650b wheels. This is a good way to make an old racing bike much more comfortable.
Yesterday I started commuting on a newly built up bike, which is a 45 year old Bottecchia frame now with 650b wheels. This is a good way to make an old racing bike much more comfortable.
01-22-17, 01:24 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,586
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 604 Post(s)
Liked 342 Times
in
220 Posts
There is no advantage it comes down to personal preference. I commuted on 650b for years. When using Grand Bois tires that ride was sublime but the amount of flats just wasn't worth it. With my Schwalbe Marathons less flats but the ride was forgettable.
01-22-17, 02:57 PM
#11
Jet Jockey
Academically, I like the idea of 650b for commuting, gravel, etc.
It's still such a misfit size though that I'm not willing to make the jump.
It makes a lot of sense to design a frame around the size for shorter riders.
It's still such a misfit size though that I'm not willing to make the jump.
It makes a lot of sense to design a frame around the size for shorter riders.
01-23-17, 08:22 AM
#12
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,847
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...
Mentioned: 572 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1903 Post(s)
Liked 548 Times
in
326 Posts
But not necessarily. It depends on the tire size. The overall diameter of a 650 x 42b wheel is about the same as a 700 x 23c wheel.
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
02-02-17, 12:14 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: England
Posts: 12,948
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
650b is a nice size but so are 26" mtb and 700c. The problem is that bike shops dont have the capacity to stock a complete inventory of bike types, sizes and tyre size. With the popularity of 650b in the mtb world, 26" has been abandoned, yet you cannot buy a 650b commuter tyre off the shelf. 650c has been abandoned as a wheel for small riders in most lineups. It had made a recent comeback buy it is now back to small frames with big wheels.
02-02-17, 01:23 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,737
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
The advantage of 650b over 700c is mainly one of comfort. It doesn't really have anything to do with hills or gearing. You can now get much fatter 700c tires than previously, and bikes that fit them, so that does away with much of the advantage of 700c.
Yesterday I started commuting on a newly built up bike, which is a 45 year old Bottecchia frame now with 650b wheels. This is a good way to make an old racing bike much more comfortable.
Yesterday I started commuting on a newly built up bike, which is a 45 year old Bottecchia frame now with 650b wheels. This is a good way to make an old racing bike much more comfortable.
650b 38c tires deliver a ride experience akin to riding on clouds. Its like the rough imperfections of the road surface and potholes literally disappear when you float over them. With 650b, you can turn a skinny-tired road bike into a comfort cruiser.
02-02-17, 10:59 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Southern California
Posts: 59
Bikes: 1990 Specialized StumpJumper 1970 Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
And if that makes you commute more, it's worth the money.
Likes For m3rle:
02-05-17, 12:42 AM
#16
Senior Member
The only advantages really come down to fit. You can run tires and still maintain a reasonable wheel diameter.
If you're 5'10" or taller then a 700c will always be just as good, and more readily available.
If you're 5'10" or taller then a 700c will always be just as good, and more readily available.
02-05-17, 05:48 AM
#17
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 6,030
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1848 Post(s)
Liked 3,180 Times
in
1,474 Posts
I really like how some modern steel frames will clear larger tires in 700c. My current ride has 700x35 and could go to 38 under the fenders. Its nice to have a little extra air.
02-05-17, 08:15 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,737
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
A rigid 27.5 MTB would also make a good commuter bike - Raleigh already has the Redux and 27.5 happens to be the same standard as 650b.
02-05-17, 10:58 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,869
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1335 Post(s)
Liked 1,581 Times
in
779 Posts
02-05-17, 11:17 AM
#20
GATC
Can't you do that w/ 700x35 though? I noticed immediately when I busted out the roadbike w/ 28mm tires at 80 psi vs the cross bike w 35mm tires at 65psi. Now 26" 50mm tires at 40psi, there is some cushioning!
02-05-17, 11:19 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,432
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 177 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5849 Post(s)
Liked 3,355 Times
in
2,011 Posts
Is this your new touring rig? Really good looking bike. I agree that fatter tires are an advantage of some modern steel bikes.
02-05-17, 11:22 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,432
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 177 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5849 Post(s)
Liked 3,355 Times
in
2,011 Posts
Agree with the others that given the price of tires/tubes etc., there is a lot to be said for 700c or 26 inch for a commuter bike. If looking to save money, a vintage MTB is both inexpensive and a great platform for stout urban tires.
Insofar as a hilly commute is concerned (the OP's question), there's no appreciable advantage that 650b has over 700c. That is really a question of gearing.
Insofar as a hilly commute is concerned (the OP's question), there's no appreciable advantage that 650b has over 700c. That is really a question of gearing.
02-05-17, 11:46 AM
#23
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 6,030
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1848 Post(s)
Liked 3,180 Times
in
1,474 Posts
I know 1 bike sounds crazy.....
02-05-17, 11:49 AM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,432
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 177 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5849 Post(s)
Liked 3,355 Times
in
2,011 Posts
1 bike is crazy plus the space horse will get lonely . . . .
02-05-17, 11:53 AM
#25
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 6,030
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1848 Post(s)
Liked 3,180 Times
in
1,474 Posts
am sure I would eventually drag something home. There seems to be a pattern .
I want to get rid of 3 step thru frames, the masi frame and the miyata frame. If you know a good home.....
I want to get rid of 3 step thru frames, the masi frame and the miyata frame. If you know a good home.....
Last edited by 52telecaster; 02-05-17 at 12:01 PM.
