erbfarm

Hi all

I've got a 1986 Bridgestone that I've converted to 650B usage with long reach caliper brakes. I've been riding the bike for the past 3 years with a single cog in the back and no front deraullier. The rear rim is cracked so needs to be replaced. The local shop is recommending a new build with a Velocity Dyad rim laced to a Surly track hub. This sounds like a decent option, but I'm wondering what other possibilities are out there? I really like the SS set up but I know it's getting harder to keep a 650B with caliper brakes on the road as finding parts is tough. Thanks for any input.

M

nlerner

It’s getting more difficult to find 650b rims for caliper brakes. Velo Orange has their Voyager rim in stock: https://velo-orange.com/collections/...14408204386353

erbfarm

Thanks! That VO rim looks really nice.

DanseMacabre

Other options for 650b (584):

1. Velocity Atlas
2. Velocity Blunt
3. Velocity Cliffhanger
4. Rigida Ryde Andra
5. Soma Weymouth
6. Grand Bois Papillon

As seen here: https://www.libertecycles.com/rim

BTinNYC 

Cheapo option. $25, not lightweight but totally functional.
https://carsoncitybikeshop.com/rim-w...RoC3c4QAvD_BwE

nlerner

Also looks like Velomine is still carrying a bunch of options for complete wheels at very reasonable prices: https://velomine.com/collections/27-...ke-wheels-sets

erbfarm

Thanks! That rim would help shave some cost from this project. I'm really surprised at how much it will take to keep this bike on the road in its minimalist form.

erbfarm

Oops, just checked that rim, its 36 and the Surly track hub takes 32. Maybe just getting another standard 36 hole rim and using the cassette hub I have now with the cog I have will be the best solution. I'd like to get the frame cold set since changing a flat is a horrible experience with the 126mm spacing of the frame. I've got Panaracer GravelKing Tire Slick 650 x 38 tires, like them a lot, and want to keep as wide a tire on there as possible and 38 is about the max.

52telecaster

Those really aren't bad weight wise. I've used them a few times.

MrGastrognome

Add Crust to the list of 650b rim brake options although they are currently OOS on their single speed wheelset and bare rims.

BTinNYC 

Yup, they're on my current rider with 38mm slicks.

A caveat, these rims play badly - to not all - with tubeless tires. IF and when I get another 650b wheelset it'll be tubeless ready...and expensive.

ehcoplex 

There's also the Pacenti Brevet, if you can find it (& they're on the $$ side). The VO voyager rims aren't bad at all, and it looks like they've got 650b in 32h.

Carson City has great prices on lots of stuff and shipping usually isn't bad, but their website is pretty terrible to navigate and I'd call or email them to confirm things before ordering (ie confirm rim sizes, drillings, etc).

erbfarm

Thanks for all the responses! Good to know I can keep this on the road for another decade hopefully with just some new brake pads and tires when needed if I get these other items in place (rim, hub etc)

seat_boy

Soma has their Weymouth rim for 65% off right now with code: newyear6524 (good thru 1/9)

https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/som...2#attr=408,771

Just got this in my inbox...

ehcoplex 

Sale on 32h only, but boy is that tempting, just to have on hand... And $15 flat shipping ain't too bad either.

EDIT- actually looks like Soma may charge additional shipping for rims......

retroshifter

Thanks so much for this tip. I just bought 3 650b rims for less than $100. I added a cassette that was on sale and that brought the total to over $100 and got free shipping. No extra charge for oversized. What a deal.

ehcoplex 

Curious what others in this thread that bought from Soma were charged for shipping. I got hit for $40 (didn't show up in the checkout- was charged to my card a couple days after the order was placed) for 2 rims and a small bag. Definitely made it not-such-a-great deal, and I actually might have passed on ordering if the shipping charge had been revealed when I placed it. Don't think I've ever been charged more than $20 when I've bought rims in the past.

nlerner

I also bought a pair of those rims; shipping was $15 to 02446. They arrived yesterday. I think you should contact them and see what happened.

ThermionicScott 

Adding a 3mm spacer to each side of a 120mm track hub is the option I chose for my FG conversion. I didn't want to cold-set it down to 120mm in case I wanted to return it to regular use.

ehcoplex 

Good idea, & thanks for the 'data point'.

retroshifter

I just checked my credit card after my purchase of 3 rims and a cassette from Merry Sales that said free shipping per the checkout. There were 2 credit card charges, one at the time of purchase that was the checkout amount with $0 shipping and then another charge for $19.95 two days later presumably for shipping to 94706. The website does say there is an extra shipping charge for rims.