Will a Trek 5000 fit a 650b x 38-42mm tire?
05-12-20, 11:41 AM
#1
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Will a Trek 5000 fit a 650b x 38-42mm tire?
I think this would make an interesting 650b conversion but I don't have one on hand to measure or test fit tires. I searched far and wide and found very few examples of 650b conversions on carbon racing bikes. I had a couple of these frames years ago and I liked them, but that was long before I was aware of the "wider tires on smaller wheels" idea that I'm so happy with these days. Has anyone converted one of these? You might even make an honest randonneur bike with a custom steel fork in place of the original carbon. The only challenge might be mounting the rear fender.
When I say "Trek 5000" I just mean the general OCLV frame they made for most of the 1990s and early 2000s, which has other model numbers too.
When I say "Trek 5000" I just mean the general OCLV frame they made for most of the 1990s and early 2000s, which has other model numbers too.
05-12-20, 01:09 PM
#2
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05-12-20, 01:21 PM
#3
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I think it should work... The chainstays and seatstays splay outward towards the dropouts like on a traditional steel frame. My friend fit 584x38 tires on his steel Gunnar that would barely take a 622x25 tire. So I don't think this would be much different.
05-12-20, 06:17 PM
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What do you do about brake reach?
05-12-20, 07:04 PM
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05-13-20, 08:03 AM
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If you give it a try, can you post the results here? I have an old 5000 that I tried to put 700c 32mm tires on and they were juuuust a little too wide, and somehow I'd never thought of trying 650s.
05-13-20, 08:57 AM
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This is an interesting project but the conversion is going to be expensive. New fork, new brakes, new wheels, new tires. It all adds up.
05-13-20, 09:09 AM
#8
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You have the frame in your possession now? That's my only road block. Borrow a 650b rear wheel and see what size tire fits! You'll probably have to remove the rear brake caliper if it gets in the way.
05-13-20, 09:17 AM
#9
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If such a bike were available off-the-shelf (or used...) I would buy it.
05-13-20, 09:28 AM
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You need another .75 inches clearance so you can measure. Thinking of doing this for my wahoo. Back would be fine but the front I am not 100% sure but probably too tight.
05-13-20, 08:29 PM
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It's now my trainer bike but I have aspirations of making it a solid commuter! I'll see if I can track down a 650b... maybe I'll just buy a cheap pair and hope for the best.
05-14-20, 06:11 AM
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You will need to measure clearance at 320mm from axle center. Fork crown, chainstays, seatstays. It seems clearance for 38mm tires is about what you could hope for. There was a lot of interest in 650b conversions a few years ago, quite a bit still on the web. Here's one https://www.bikeman.com/bikeman-blog...sion-guidlines Tektro makes nice long reach brakes. Obviously caliper brakes make this conversion possible. Canti and V brakes won't permit it but those bikes already have clearance for larger tires....
05-14-20, 07:20 AM
#13
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If I had a frame on hand, I'd measure it... I think there's less interest in conversions these days because frames meant for 650b are now available. But none are light carbon racing frames with rim brakes, downtube shift lever bosses, 68mm English threaded bottom bracket shell, and standard 100/130 QR axles. Those '90s carbon road bikes were really the perfect combination of light frames with all the Right Stuff. Narrow clearance was their main drawback, hence the 650b conversion.
05-14-20, 07:26 AM
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I'm in agreement, sounds like a cool project. I've considered it for a couple of frames but could never find any really cheap 650b wheelsets.
05-14-20, 08:05 AM
#15
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The rim is about .77" lower than a 700C rim. measure down from your present set-up and then measure the width available at that height. this brake might work. https://www.rivbike.com/collections/...tro-r559-allen
05-14-20, 09:51 AM
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I think noglider is using a set of those Sta-Tru wheels.
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05-14-20, 09:56 AM
#17
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The rim is about .77" lower than a 700C rim. measure down from your present set-up and then measure the width available at that height. this brake might work. https://www.rivbike.com/collections/...tro-r559-allen
I'm aware of the brakes options. The only purpose of this thread was to see if anyone had a frame on hand to measure or test fit tires.I picked the Trek 5000 because it's probably the most popular and available option but other carbon racing frames would be of interest as well.
