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Convert old race bike to 650b

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Convert old race bike to 650b

Old 07-09-19, 05:47 PM
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Germany_chris
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Convert old race bike to 650b

So when I was hanging out at the LBS today after work and the owner came out and said he just got something in that I might like..I was an oldish re-powdered* Pinarello w/8 speed Chorus. Since I must own all old Italian steel and my wife is a thousands miles away I said let me give it some thought. I have precisely zero need for another bike that won't take fenders but old..Italian..steel..cheap which led me to 650b and some 38's with fenders.

Does anyone have old Italian steel converted to 650b and fenders?


*yes I know they were painted but this was powder coated and I might buy some decals and have it re-done

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Old 07-09-19, 06:27 PM
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*in heavy-metal German accent* "DOO IITT"

Seriously. And if you redo the finish, maybe get some canti posts and other braze-ons while you're at it.
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Old 07-09-19, 06:38 PM
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I take it you've test fit some 650b x 38's? If so, why not? Typically, however old Italian racing bikes won't make the fit unless they're early70's or older vintage.

The first 650b conversion I did for someone else was a '61 Bianchi Specialissima.
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Old 07-09-19, 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by gugie
I take it you've test fit some 650b x 38's? If so, why not? Typically, however old Italian racing bikes won't make the fit unless they're early70's or older vintage.

The first 650b conversion I did for someone else was a '61 Bianchi Specialissima.
I have not the 650x38 is via internet research..
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Old 07-09-19, 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Germany_chris
I have not the 650x38 is via internet research..
What year is your bike?
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Old 07-09-19, 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by gugie
I take it you've test fit some 650b x 38's? If so, why not? Typically, however old Italian racing bikes won't make the fit unless they're early70's or older vintage.

The first 650b conversion I did for someone else was a '61 Bianchi Specialissima.
So, a mid 80's Colnago Superissimo would not be a good candidate?

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Old 07-09-19, 08:52 PM
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I have a 1970-ish Bottecchia set up as a fixed gear randonneuring bike. 650b, fenders, front rack, dynamo lighting.
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Old 07-09-19, 09:17 PM
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Eighties stuff starts getting really tight in the rear triangle. I haven't done any Italian frames, but I tried several frames when I had a nice 650b wheelset that were too tight in the chainstays.
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Old 07-09-19, 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by CliffordK
So, a mid 80's Colnago Superissimo would not be a good candidate?

Don’t tempt me...
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Old 07-09-19, 10:54 PM
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Originally Posted by rhm
I have a 1970-ish Bottecchia set up as a fixed gear randonneuring bike. 650b, fenders, front rack, dynamo lighting.
Really tempted to do so with the mid-1960's example I picked up recently. Have a photo? Curious if the frame clearance matches mine - I have no 650B's around to test fit.

-Kurt
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Old 07-09-19, 11:08 PM
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My 650B conversion is an imitation Italian...
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Old 07-10-19, 03:57 AM
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Originally Posted by cudak888
Really tempted to do so with the mid-1960's example I picked up recently. Have a photo? Curious if the frame clearance matches mine - I have no 650B's around to test fit.

-Kurt
I have one of those Compass tire clearance check tools, available to Forum members for shipping costs back and forth.
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Old 07-10-19, 09:29 AM
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I converted an early 90s Bianchi to 650b. I had to dimple the chain stays and 40-622 tires were still a tight fit. Fenders are a possibility; however it would be really tough to fit them with enough clearance.
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