650B versus 650C Wheels
12-27-07 | 05:17 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Peddlin' Around Detroit
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 740
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From: Livonia, MI
Bikes: Legend, Saluki, Trek 730
650B versus 650C Wheels
My Saluki came with 650B wheels. The Velocity Synergy 32/32 wheels with Shimano XT hubs/skewers work just fine. But I'm just wonderin' ... just sayin'.
Is there a difference in how the 650B wheels/tires feel in comparison to 650C wheels/tires? Would switching from 650B to 650C raise the height of the bottom bracket and top tube a bit? Is one set more "rugged" than the other?
Is there a difference in how the 650B wheels/tires feel in comparison to 650C wheels/tires? Would switching from 650B to 650C raise the height of the bottom bracket and top tube a bit? Is one set more "rugged" than the other?
12-27-07 | 05:30 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
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From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
I don't know for sure because I haven't done anything with 650B wheels yet.
I assume that 650C wheels will have a slightly smaller rim diameter. You might have brake reach or tire clearance issues. The easiest way to find out for sure would be to find somebody who has a 650C wheel bike and trial fit their wheels onto your bike.
I assume that 650C wheels will have a slightly smaller rim diameter. You might have brake reach or tire clearance issues. The easiest way to find out for sure would be to find somebody who has a 650C wheel bike and trial fit their wheels onto your bike.
12-27-07 | 08:08 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: South shore, L.I., NY
Bikes: Trek Emonda SL7, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
650B is 584mm diameter, 650C is 571mm, so 13mm, or about 1/2 inch.
I'm guessing that most brakes will adjust, assuming the current brake shoes are not at the bottom of the adjustment slot. but you do lose b-bracket height and pedal clearance. Note that Rivendell tends to make bikes with low b-bracket height to begin with.....
Both Sun and Velocity make 18-19mm width road rims in 28 spokes. $40 -$60 at Sheldons.
Michelin and Conti both make 650C x 23mm tires.
Definitely check a wheel to see how it fits. Maybe ride them a bit to see how the bike handles. It always amazes me how minute changes on the bike can make a huge difference, not always for the better.
Steve B.
I'm guessing that most brakes will adjust, assuming the current brake shoes are not at the bottom of the adjustment slot. but you do lose b-bracket height and pedal clearance. Note that Rivendell tends to make bikes with low b-bracket height to begin with.....
Both Sun and Velocity make 18-19mm width road rims in 28 spokes. $40 -$60 at Sheldons.
Michelin and Conti both make 650C x 23mm tires.
Definitely check a wheel to see how it fits. Maybe ride them a bit to see how the bike handles. It always amazes me how minute changes on the bike can make a huge difference, not always for the better.
Steve B.
12-27-07 | 09:03 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Peddlin' Around Detroit
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 740
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From: Livonia, MI
Bikes: Legend, Saluki, Trek 730
Good points. The size 50 Saluki w/650B wheels already sit pretty low, and there is a tendency for pedal contact with the road if leaning sharp into turns. A 650C would increase pedal contact in the turns.
Also, conventionally the widest 650C wheel is 23mm, which would be a more uncomfortable ride when compared to 650B wheels with 32mm tires. Case closed!
Also, conventionally the widest 650C wheel is 23mm, which would be a more uncomfortable ride when compared to 650B wheels with 32mm tires. Case closed!
12-29-07 | 01:20 AM
#6
His Brain is Gone!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,979
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From: Paoli, Wisconsin
Bikes: RANS Stratus, Bridgestone CB-1, Trek 7600, Sun EZ-Rider AX, Fuji Absolute 1.0, Cayne Rambler 3
Three sizes ... there are 650A wheels too. 590mm diameter.
Rivendell is attempting to repopularize the 650B and is bringing it out on more bikes. Having short legs, I hope they succeed.
Rivendell is attempting to repopularize the 650B and is bringing it out on more bikes. Having short legs, I hope they succeed.
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"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
