Need Recommendations For 650b Wheelset
 

Back in October I bought a (2018) Fuji Jari 1.3. I've got 1,000 miles on it so far and am enjoying the bike. The goal when I bought the bike was to eventually have two wheelsets – a 700C x 28± and a 650b x 47±, and ideally both would be tubeless. I live in Manhattan so one bike that could be both a decent road bike and a decent bike for dirt trails was appealing. Anyway, I'm starting to try to figure out what 650b wheelset I should go with. I don't want to spend $1,000+ on a wheelset. I mean I'm sure they're wonderful, but it's just not in my budget.

If I were just going to buy what I've heard decent things about that seem like a decent price I'd probably go with the alloy ones by Mason X Hunt…
https://www.huntbikewheels.cc/collec...-24deep-25wide
$379 is definitely budget-friendly. But is an internal width of 20mm good with 47mm tires? Wouldn't wider be better? And if I weigh 207 lbs (94kg), that's within the weight limit, but would 32h be better? I mean, what if I want to go go on a trip with a heavy-ish backpack or something?

I see WTB has wider rims, but I don't see them selling complete wheelsets. I'd actually love to figure out how to build my own wheels, but don't know what hubs and spokes I should buy. And so I can't really judge total cost on that one.

So any advice would be appreciated.

And if you have recommendations for black sidewall 650b tires, I'd appreciate that recommendation as well. Tan sidewalls seem to be all the rage on "road plus" tires, but they'd look pretty horrible on my bike. [I'm looking for something that's pavement friendly given that all my rides start and end on pavement.]

Make sure if you go wide rims the frame can take it. All the WTB 650x47 road plus is notorious for ballooning up on wider rims. If you put a Byway on a 22-23mm rim it's going to be 50-51mm wide. If you want it to fit true to actual size you are better off with 19-20mm rims.

I just bought a new 650b wheel set for my Norco Search XR about 3 months ago. It originally came with 700c with 40c tires. I weigh 205-207, depending on donut supply that week.

I had the wheel set built by Brett, the guy from Mill City Cycles, and I paid $425 for Bitex hubs on Kinlin TL-23 asymmetrical alloy rims 28/28 hole with Sapim Race double-butted spokes. so far, I LOVE them. 23mm internal width, using 47c tires. Aren't Hunt wheels mass produced? I thought it would be good to have mine custom made. Brett worked with me on my budget, and suggested several options. He also said Hunt wheels are fine, but pointed out the advantages/differences between what he can offer and the Hunts. Looking at it objectively, his deal sounded better to me, plus i supported a domestic wheel builder. Final price was $475, including shipping halfway across the country.

https://www.facebook.com/millcitycycle/

My Teravail Cannonball 650b x 47 tires measure out at 47 with the rims.

eric/fresno, ca.

Last year Fuji was saying the bike could take 650b x 50. Now they say 650b x 47, but they added a note saying it depends on the rim and the tire – probably exactly for the reasons you mention.

I want whatever rides better. I supposed I can always get a smaller tire, like a 45 or something… And I'm not looking for a knobby tire, so that helps with clearance.

Thanks. I've followed him on Facebook and will probably reach out to him in the near future.

Go with a 20mm so you have no issues with whatever tire you choose. Wider rims are more advantageous for really wide tires. For our purposes I don't see the benefit as long as it measure pretty close to advertised size.

Go on Ebay 27.5 inch mtb wheelsets are cheap you can find DT Swiss sets from $170 up

I'm pretty happy with Easton EA70AX... got them for around $400 24mm internal and put some Donnelly MSO 42's(measure 43.1) on there. Seem built fairly strong and kinda heavy being nearly 1700g. I also have Enve G27 with 27mm internal and WTB Byways ( which measure 47.10 so far @ 40psi) 1320g for the rims.. F'kn ride like a best sofa you ever sat in.

I would look around for a local wheelbuilder and tell them your needs and your budget.

If you do end up finding a way to estimate the total cost of wheelbuilding, 718 Cyclery in Brooklyn does free classes once a month. It's not the most convenient shop for you, but they seem to know their adventure biking stuff, and could probably give you tips and ideas (and maybe an estimate) for specific 650b wheels that would fit your Jari! I've been looking at Salsa's and All-Citys with them, and it seems like a great independent shop, despite the location.

The problem with eBay is I don't know if I'm buying a piece of junk, or even if it will work properly with my bike.

I have bought 3 sets of wheels off ebay either take offs or new never had a problem.

Now you'll try it and get screwed and blame me :)

Seriously no problems, check out Backcountry on ebay cheaper than their online store.

Yes. A good point. One of the reasons I went with someone knowledgeable. I've built a wheel set for myself, back in the 80s. But specs have changed and I was not up to speed on everything.

eric/fresno, ca.

I wouldn't assume that they are more expensive without contacting them first. Plus it's always good to shop around. My LBS has a very good wheelbuilder, but his quote to me was over $1,000, but I think he automatically used the most expensive/hottest components even though I said I do not want to spend that kind of money. I have a very good relationship with my LBS. We all drink beers together now. Maybe you could strike up a relationship with one of yours. If they do not have an in-house specialist, they would know someone who could help you locally, perhaps one of their customers who took up the hobby.

If you wish to contact Mill City/Brett, email him about your needs. I was initially targeting "name brand" components, but i'm always open to options, and that's what we went with in the end. I'm a bit hesitant to say this, but some sources have said the Bitex hub specs of my wheels are very similar to what Hunt uses. He seriously worked within my budget, suggested options, discussed the pros and cons, and was very patient with my emailed followup questions. millcitycycle@gmail.com I would think any cyclist who builds for other cyclists would do the same. If they do not, move on until you find someone you're comfortable with. Wheels (and frames) are the foundation of the bike. Don't leave it to chance. And good luck!

eric/fresno, ca.

As a data point: I've been using the Mason X Hunt 650b alloy wheels on my gravel bike for the past year and a half. You and I weigh about the same and I've done some pretty heavily loaded rides with no issues (backpack, 4 water bottle cages and bottles, seat bag, and large top tube bag). I leave the WTB Horizons on most of the time, but have a set of Terrene Elwoods for more hardcore trails. No complaints and the wheels remain true. I bought the wheelset as sort of an experiment to see how I liked 650b. I have to say that I'm a convert. The extra tire size and reduced overall circumference, relative to 700c with 40mm tires, is really nice.

That's a good comp to the Mason X Hunts… Slightly heavier, but wider. Thanks.

Thanks for the info. And Terrene Elwoods are actually the tires that are at the top of my list for this wheelset.

I contacted Brett this morning. Basically it looks like what you got makes sense for me as well. IMHO, his better components justifies the ~$50 increase over the Mason X Hunts – which was basically your assessment as well.

Now I just have to sleep on it (so to speak)…

That looks like a good setup and a good price from Mill City Cycles. The same components would cost about $350 from Bike Hub Store if you wanted to build them yourself. That's a good option if you already have the knowledge and the tools, but otherwise it's an investment.

I went with a similar component list for the wheels I built for myself. I used WTB i23 Frequency rims, Bitex rear hub, SP Dynamo front hub, 32/32 Sapim Race spokes and WTB Byway 650Bx47. They have worked out great. I think 28 spokes should be plenty. I went with 32 as much because it is what I am used to building as for any concerns about durability.

My only regret with the Mill City Cycles wheel order.... i should have considered purple colored hubs... lol i may go with colored valves some day.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...001e83b250.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e4c9f99e5a.jpg

eric/fresno, ca.

Mill City suggested 32h rear, 28h front for me. Sounds like a decent compromise. But he said 28h would probably be fine.

I don't think purple was an option. He said the color choices were red, blue, green, silver and black. The blue was a more royal blue than your bike. I was sorta hoping yellow would be an option since the graphics on my bike are yellow. But I'll probably go with black – I'd rather have a neutral color than a color that doesn't work.

I just put in my order with Mill City – basically the same wheels you got only with rotors and valves and 32h on the rear. Since the wheels are black, black, and more black, I had him do purple valves so there's be at least a little color.

Thanks for the recommendation!

Redux:

wholesaler built wheels can come in built for the cost of the sum of the parts @, retail.. and your bike shop can hand check them for you when they get them....