Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
Reload this Page >

Just out of curiosity...

Search
Notices
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Just out of curiosity...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-14-10 | 09:36 AM
  #1  
cockbag's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Just out of curiosity...

...anyone ever converted their track bikes (that they ride on the street) from 700c to 650b?

would be interested to see if this is possible given the tight clearances of something like a bareknuckle, and using a 650b x 38 tire

just a hypothetical question - don't hurt me
cockbag is offline  
Reply
Old 05-14-10 | 09:51 AM
  #2  
lz4005's Avatar
coasterbrakelockup
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
From: parts unknown

Bikes: surly steamroller w/coaster brake, electra single speed cruiser, specialized rockhopper commuter, no-name single speed folder, 700c ultimate wheel, 24" unicycle, specialized bmx lsd, single seat single speed huffy tandem, pink upsidedown parade bike

Sheldon's article about exactly what you're asking is here: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/650b.html
lz4005 is offline  
Reply
Old 05-14-10 | 10:16 AM
  #3  
cockbag's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Hey, thanks for the response.
I've actually read that article, and I know it pertains to road bikes with tight clearances too, but I guess I was just curious as to whether anyone has done it with a track bike in particular. I know it shouldn't be that different, but just curious. A lot of the 650b conversions I see are just old road bikes.
cockbag is offline  
Reply
Old 05-14-10 | 11:39 AM
  #4  
wearyourtruth's Avatar
Ride for Life
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 2
From: Houston
i've never done it, but i feel like the main issue would be what frame you have, and what width tire it allows between (particularly) the seat stays. even if you use a smaller wheel which gives more room between the rim and the brake bridge (or fork crown), that might not quite give you enough room left-to-right for 35's or 38's

the other thing, as alluded to in sheldon's article, is a lower BB... greater chance of pedal strike on a fixed gear.
wearyourtruth is offline  
Reply
Old 05-14-10 | 06:36 PM
  #5  
bbattle's Avatar
.
Sheldon Brown Memorial - Donating
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 12,769
Likes: 38
From: Rocket City, No'ala

Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose

Track frames don't have the clearance.
bbattle is offline  
Reply
Old 05-14-10 | 08:34 PM
  #6  
the_don's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,938
Likes: 2
From: Tokyo
I might give it a go (but keeping slim tyres). Track frames have high BB's so the loss in height isn't such a huge issue. Also used 650c Hed3 triathlon wheelsets go for cheap on ebay because no one wants them!
the_don is offline  
Reply
Old 05-14-10 | 08:55 PM
  #7  
WoundedKnee's Avatar
Antarctica awaits
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 1
From: Tucson, Zona
Originally Posted by bbattle
Track frames don't have the clearance.
650b is smaller.

"By switching to 650B from 700C, you suddenly gave clearance enough for medium-width tires, say 35-38 mm width, and for fenders, so you don't need to be a "fair-weather" cyclist. "
-Sheldon
WoundedKnee is offline  
Reply
Old 05-14-10 | 11:42 PM
  #8  
fuzz2050's Avatar
Real Men Ride Ordinaries
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,723
Likes: 3
the outer diameter of a wider 650B tire is about that of a small 700c. There will be minimal drop in bottom bracket height.

As well, 650B is not the same thing as 650C,
fuzz2050 is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-10 | 12:23 AM
  #9  
Banned.
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
Cant you get a bigger fork??.

but yea, like someone said, pedal strike!
MaxSta is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-10 | 01:50 PM
  #10  
WoundedKnee's Avatar
Antarctica awaits
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 1
From: Tucson, Zona
So basically all you need are these.

https://www.rivbike.com/products/show...-brakes/15-026
WoundedKnee is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
paulb_in_bkln
Classic & Vintage
34
03-25-19 07:11 AM
bikebreak
Bicycle Mechanics
7
11-08-18 03:06 PM
sweetspot
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
24
09-11-18 03:03 AM
Ciufalon
Classic & Vintage
27
01-03-11 06:27 PM
tatfiend
Classic & Vintage
40
07-24-10 02:03 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.