Gravel bikes
03-01-18, 10:53 PM
#2
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It's a smaller diameter, not necessarily narrower. Gravel bikes with disc brakes can use a 650b wheel set and run a wider tire, wider tires are also taller. So this can keep the overall wheel/tire diameter similar to a 700c wheel with a narrower tire.
03-02-18, 09:37 PM
#3
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And very few 650c tires available that aren't in the skinny category.
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03-04-18, 07:09 AM
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It's a trend I'm enjoying because it allows reasonable tire widths.
03-05-18, 07:06 AM
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I'm 6-3 and having a 650b wheelset built up right now. With 42mm tires it will have the same diameter as a 700c wheel with 23mm tires, just a whole lot more air and, at lower tire pressure, a bigger contact patch.
03-05-18, 10:53 AM
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Welcome to BF @JANEWELLER.
The 650B wheels have found proponents beyond 'gravel' applications. Some would say that riding with loaded panniers also suits 650B. Which opens a debate about low-trail geometry, fork characteristics, etc.
The 650B wheels have found proponents beyond 'gravel' applications. Some would say that riding with loaded panniers also suits 650B. Which opens a debate about low-trail geometry, fork characteristics, etc.
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03-06-18, 08:22 AM
#7
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650C and 650B don't really have much in common. They're completely different beasts, despite the name.
650C is for smaller riders, in fact many female triathletes use it instead of 700C. As others have pointed out, 650c tires and rims tend to be narrow, so think of it as a smaller version of narrow 700C road tires. This is crucial for getting an aero position with aerobars over the front wheel for smaller riders.
650B rims also have a smaller diameter but the rims and tires are wide, resulting in a wheel size quite similar to narrow 700C tires. The main objective there is to provide more air volume to deal with rough surfaces.
Riding with other cyclists, I find that other cyclists tend to be stronger mid-ride but get exhausted towards the end while I fade less with the increased comfort of 650B tires on my Elephant NFE with 605Bx42mm Compass tires.
I worry less about getting stuck in ruts or sewer grates. There's a definite safety gain even on tarmac. I have been continuing a "Century-A-Month" challenge for 67 consecutive months. The major requirement for that has been not to get seriously injured. If you don't want to break any bones, wide tires are the way to go!
Another little appreciated benefit is the reduced risk of punctures with high volume, low pressure tires. I went for 20 months without punctures (about 13,000 km / 8,000 mi) over the last two years with Compass Babyshoe Pass EL tires, even though they don't have any energy-sucking puncture-guard strips but are built like race tires (only wider).
650C is for smaller riders, in fact many female triathletes use it instead of 700C. As others have pointed out, 650c tires and rims tend to be narrow, so think of it as a smaller version of narrow 700C road tires. This is crucial for getting an aero position with aerobars over the front wheel for smaller riders.
650B rims also have a smaller diameter but the rims and tires are wide, resulting in a wheel size quite similar to narrow 700C tires. The main objective there is to provide more air volume to deal with rough surfaces.
Riding with other cyclists, I find that other cyclists tend to be stronger mid-ride but get exhausted towards the end while I fade less with the increased comfort of 650B tires on my Elephant NFE with 605Bx42mm Compass tires.
I worry less about getting stuck in ruts or sewer grates. There's a definite safety gain even on tarmac. I have been continuing a "Century-A-Month" challenge for 67 consecutive months. The major requirement for that has been not to get seriously injured. If you don't want to break any bones, wide tires are the way to go!
Another little appreciated benefit is the reduced risk of punctures with high volume, low pressure tires. I went for 20 months without punctures (about 13,000 km / 8,000 mi) over the last two years with Compass Babyshoe Pass EL tires, even though they don't have any energy-sucking puncture-guard strips but are built like race tires (only wider).
03-10-18, 11:24 AM
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Find tires first. You may even want to pick up an extra set.
On the other hand, the internet has made it much easier to find obscure parts than it used to be. Somebody will have a warehouse full of 650b tires and they're only a click away.
On the other hand, the internet has made it much easier to find obscure parts than it used to be. Somebody will have a warehouse full of 650b tires and they're only a click away.
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03-11-18, 12:59 AM
#9
Senior Member
Riding with other cyclists, I find that other cyclists tend to be stronger mid-ride but get exhausted towards the end while I fade less with the increased comfort of 650B tires on my Elephant NFE with 605Bx42mm Compass tires.
I worry less about getting stuck in ruts or sewer grates. There's a definite safety gain even on tarmac. I have been continuing a "Century-A-Month" challenge for 67 consecutive months. The major requirement for that has been not to get seriously injured. If you don't want to break any bones, wide tires are the way to go!
Another little appreciated benefit is the reduced risk of punctures with high volume, low pressure tires. I went for 20 months without punctures (about 13,000 km / 8,000 mi) over the last two years with Compass Babyshoe Pass EL tires, even though they don't have any energy-sucking puncture-guard strips but are built like race tires (only wider).
I worry less about getting stuck in ruts or sewer grates. There's a definite safety gain even on tarmac. I have been continuing a "Century-A-Month" challenge for 67 consecutive months. The major requirement for that has been not to get seriously injured. If you don't want to break any bones, wide tires are the way to go!
Another little appreciated benefit is the reduced risk of punctures with high volume, low pressure tires. I went for 20 months without punctures (about 13,000 km / 8,000 mi) over the last two years with Compass Babyshoe Pass EL tires, even though they don't have any energy-sucking puncture-guard strips but are built like race tires (only wider).
Recently purchased the tubeless EL 42's for a new wheel build. I think they'll hit the sweet spot on the road.
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