Show Us Your 650B Conversions
11-02-17, 10:19 AM
#501
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In the final stages of setting up my Bruce Gordon Chinook for 650b.. again. Bought the Trek on the stand for $75 which had 650b wheels, 7sp with a triple up front. Going to be running a flat bar on this bike since my Ironman (my other 650b bike) has drops. Super low budget build, just gotta pick up some 559's, new chain and cable housings. The freewheel has some decent wobble so a new one of those will be installed on the bike eventually. Selling off the Trek since it is to small!
Should be a fun bike!
Should be a fun bike!
11-02-17, 10:27 AM
#502
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In the final stages of setting up my Bruce Gordon Chinook for 650b.. again. Bought the Trek on the stand for $75 which had 650b wheels, 7sp with a triple up front. Going to be running a flat bar on this bike since my Ironman (my other 650b bike) has drops. Super low budget build, just gotta pick up some 559's, new chain and cable housings. The freewheel has some decent wobble so a new one of those will be installed on the bike eventually. Selling off the Trek since it is to small!
Should be a fun bike!
Should be a fun bike!
The temptation is growing to convert my other 700C bikes.
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11-02-17, 10:34 AM
#503
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You got me there -- no idea what the rims are either but.. whatever, its a budget build! They came with brand spanking new Panaracer's on them, so i figured for $75 for the whole bike it was worth it. They run true and the hubs were just rebuilt.
11-02-17, 10:38 AM
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11-02-17, 11:22 AM
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I just bought a set of used Velo Orange 650b wheels with plans to convert my 82 Trek over to 650b. I have not decided which brakes to use yet. I am thinking about the Tektro 559 bolt on brakes since I already have a bike with Dia Compe 710's. Just thinking about doing it different this time.
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11-02-17, 11:49 AM
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In the final stages of setting up my Bruce Gordon Chinook for 650b.. again. Bought the Trek on the stand for $75 which had 650b wheels, 7sp with a triple up front. Going to be running a flat bar on this bike since my Ironman (my other 650b bike) has drops. Super low budget build, just gotta pick up some 559's, new chain and cable housings. The freewheel has some decent wobble so a new one of those will be installed on the bike eventually. Selling off the Trek since it is to small!
Should be a fun bike!
Should be a fun bike!
11-03-17, 10:07 AM
#508
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I'd also be interested in learning what the wheelset is -new sources for 650b wheel sets are always interesting to those on this thread.
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11-03-17, 09:40 PM
#509
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Indeed it is. Should help with the resale quite nicely
It's probably and older set, its got a freehub afterall
Whatever, they're round and the right size
It's probably and older set, its got a freehub afterall
Whatever, they're round and the right sizeYeah, I've never seen 650b rims with that brand name. Not bad looking at all. Even the el-cheapo wheel sets cost $100+. So with a new set of Col de la Vies and tubes, you got a heck of a deal. You'll probably recoup all your costs by parting the bike out.
I'd also be interested in learning what the wheelset is -new sources for 650b wheel sets are always interesting to those on this thread.
I'd also be interested in learning what the wheelset is -new sources for 650b wheel sets are always interesting to those on this thread.
11-05-17, 10:27 PM
#510
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That is one sweet looking Fuji. I had no idea they were making lugged frames into the 90’s. It looks awesome with the 650b wheels. What are those tires? It doesn’t look like the paint job has been touched, or is it a complete repaint? 1x10 drivetrain? So many questions...
Tires are Compass Babyshoe Pass, 42mm.
Frame is NOS from eBay.
Drivetrain is a mix of Shimano: 105 5800 cranks, and DA 7800 brifters and derailleur. 1x10. 39 x 10-34t. I'm using a RoadLink to fit the cassette.
Last edited by chrughes; 11-05-17 at 10:30 PM.
11-05-17, 10:29 PM
#511
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*oops double post
Last edited by chrughes; 11-05-17 at 10:30 PM. Reason: double post
11-11-17, 02:52 PM
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All done except for a rear brake which is in the mail
In the final stages of setting up my Bruce Gordon Chinook for 650b.. again. Bought the Trek on the stand for $75 which had 650b wheels, 7sp with a triple up front. Going to be running a flat bar on this bike since my Ironman (my other 650b bike) has drops. Super low budget build, just gotta pick up some 559's, new chain and cable housings. The freewheel has some decent wobble so a new one of those will be installed on the bike eventually. Selling off the Trek since it is to small!
Should be a fun bike!
Should be a fun bike!
01-28-18, 01:44 PM
#514
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650b x 32mm (maybe 35)???
Thinking of putting 650b (ISO 584) wheels on this bike I got practically for free - I am limited to 32mm *MAYBE* 35mm. It's originally a 700c frame but my lil brother had 26 x 1.25 tires on it (about ISO 32x559 I think); he bought 26 x 1.5's for it once and they were too wide (which I benefited from because I had a MTB commuter at the time and I wound up with them 
)
It seems like all of the 650b tires on the market are 38 wide or wider. Any help here or should I just do the non-fashionable thing and put it back to 559s?
)It seems like all of the 650b tires on the market are 38 wide or wider. Any help here or should I just do the non-fashionable thing and put it back to 559s?
01-28-18, 02:13 PM
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Thinking of putting 650b (ISO 584) wheels on this bike I got practically for free - I am limited to 32mm *MAYBE* 35mm. It's originally a 700c frame but my lil brother had 26 x 1.25 tires on it (about ISO 32x559 I think); he bought 26 x 1.5's for it once and they were too wide (which I benefited from because I had a MTB commuter at the time and I wound up with them )
It seems like all of the 650b tires on the market are 38 wide or wider. Any help here or should I just do the non-fashionable thing and put it back to 559s?
)It seems like all of the 650b tires on the market are 38 wide or wider. Any help here or should I just do the non-fashionable thing and put it back to 559s?
01-28-18, 02:29 PM
#517
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About 30 seconds after I posted I found some Panaracer Nifty Swifty 650 x 34b tires also. I am not opposed to going 26 either for cost and fit, contrary to current trends - 559 is still a very serviceable size and this frame looked awesome with 26s and full fenders when Sam had it set up that way
01-28-18, 02:36 PM
#518
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@davei1980, do whatever works. What kind of brakes did it have with the 559 wheels? If you can work that problem out -- and maybe you did --, the 559 wheels and tires will be cheaper.
I hope I can find someone local who has 650b wheels. I'd like to slip them into my bikes to see if a conversion would work. I have a Lemond titanium frame which is very light and rides like a rocket, and I wonder what it would be like with fatter tires. Its maximum tire width is now 25mm.
I hope I can find someone local who has 650b wheels. I'd like to slip them into my bikes to see if a conversion would work. I have a Lemond titanium frame which is very light and rides like a rocket, and I wonder what it would be like with fatter tires. Its maximum tire width is now 25mm.
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01-28-18, 03:26 PM
#519
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@davei1980, do whatever works. What kind of brakes did it have with the 559 wheels? If you can work that problem out -- and maybe you did --, the 559 wheels and tires will be cheaper.
I hope I can find someone local who has 650b wheels. I'd like to slip them into my bikes to see if a conversion would work. I have a Lemond titanium frame which is very light and rides like a rocket, and I wonder what it would be like with fatter tires. Its maximum tire width is now 25mm.
I hope I can find someone local who has 650b wheels. I'd like to slip them into my bikes to see if a conversion would work. I have a Lemond titanium frame which is very light and rides like a rocket, and I wonder what it would be like with fatter tires. Its maximum tire width is now 25mm.
It had Tektro long reach, dual pivot brakes on it when he had it set up as a 26 x 1.25... I still have 1 of the calipers on my kid's bike so I would just need to swap her out to something I have laying around and buy one more (about $15 on Amazon). I am guessing if the brakes worked on 559s then it will work on 584s.
I find you are absolutely correct about the economics of the 559 size - way more tires and rims out there. The only downside is lowering the BB shell but Sam never seemed to have problems w/ the 170mm cranks in cornering. Even if so, the local NFP used parts place will trade me the SRAM two piece (their version of octalink) for a 3 pc 160mm crank.
Your Lemond sounds AWESOME! I need pics!!! That said, how wide can you go w/ 650b's if 25mm is your max width now? the narrowest tires I have actually seen for sale in this rim size are panarace nifty swifty 34mm tires.
01-28-18, 03:47 PM
#520
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@davei1980, here is my Lemond.
Here is the album for the bike, with more pitchers.
I could estimate my likelihood of luck by seeing how much space there is in the frame and fork at about 19mm below the tires' widest points.
Here is the album for the bike, with more pitchers.
I could estimate my likelihood of luck by seeing how much space there is in the frame and fork at about 19mm below the tires' widest points.
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01-28-18, 04:13 PM
#521
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Thanks scott, per the norm!!
About 30 seconds after I posted I found some Panaracer Nifty Swifty 650 x 34b tires also. I am not opposed to going 26 either for cost and fit, contrary to current trends - 559 is still a very serviceable size and this frame looked awesome with 26s and full fenders when Sam had it set up that way
About 30 seconds after I posted I found some Panaracer Nifty Swifty 650 x 34b tires also. I am not opposed to going 26 either for cost and fit, contrary to current trends - 559 is still a very serviceable size and this frame looked awesome with 26s and full fenders when Sam had it set up that way
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01-28-18, 06:40 PM
#522
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@davei1980, here is my Lemond.
Here is the album for the bike, with more pitchers.
I could estimate my likelihood of luck by seeing how much space there is in the frame and fork at about 19mm below the tires' widest points.
Here is the album for the bike, with more pitchers.
I could estimate my likelihood of luck by seeing how much space there is in the frame and fork at about 19mm below the tires' widest points.
I am going to Cannon Beach, Oregon next month w/ the family... do you want me to swing by the factory in Portland and pick you up a set of Chris King hubs for it?? LOL
You still have your Leader frame?
Last edited by davei1980; 01-28-18 at 07:27 PM.
01-29-18, 09:07 AM
#523
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Yes, I still have that Leader (track racing) frame.
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01-29-18, 04:53 PM
#524
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Just finished converting my wife's bike to 650B. Velo-Orange rims and mudguards, Panaracer Pari-Moto 38-584 tires, Zeus hubs, Campagnolo Mirage rear derailleur, Record front, Simplex retrofriction shifters.
01-29-18, 08:57 PM
#525
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TS Issac? As your info indicates, your bikes are mostly not "name brand." Never heard of it, but a beautiful bike none-the-less.
I'm curious about the gearing. Looks like a half-step plus granny. Does she actually use it that way or mostly just the middle/small ring? What's the gearing? I'm looking at seeing just how much of a jump I can make with a TA Cyclotouriste.
I'm curious about the gearing. Looks like a half-step plus granny. Does she actually use it that way or mostly just the middle/small ring? What's the gearing? I'm looking at seeing just how much of a jump I can make with a TA Cyclotouriste.
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1970 Gitane TdF; 1973 Gitane TdF
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1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
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1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE