A pretty familiar story (650b conversion)
#26
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They're replacing a mis-matched set of Synergy/Atlas, so I'm in the same boat!
What to do, having a MTB/touring grade set of 650b wheels....what to do....
#27
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#28
aka Tom Reingold
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You should go way down in pressure. You'll see why.
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#29
Me duelen las nalgas
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Any problems with crank length from the conversion and lower overall bike height?
A 650B has been on my to-do list for my Univega Via Carisma. Partly to lower the height a bit -- the frame is slightly large for me but generally comfortable after tweaking the fit with a different stem and handlebar. But I'm also hoping the conversion will contribute to a plusher ride.
Much as I like the bike with the current setup -- Nitto albatross bar -- something about it jolts my old neck injury the wrong way on chipseal. And chipseal has increasingly become the standard pavement in my area. I've tried various height/reach tweaks but nothing quite resolves the problem.
Recently I switched my Ironman to latex tubes and was surprised by how much it improved the ride quality. It's more comfortable on bad roads with latex tubes and decent 700x25 tires than my Univega with 700x38 tires at lower pressure.
I'm at the limit of tire width with the 700c setup, but there's plenty of room for fatter tires if I convert to 650B. Even if I could fit fatter 700c tires, it would also raise the overall bike height, which is already marginally tall for me. I think it's a 58cm frame, maybe 60cm, and I'm 5'11" with 33" inseam.
I'll probably need to replace the 175 cranks with 170 to make it work and ensure enough clearance.
A 650B has been on my to-do list for my Univega Via Carisma. Partly to lower the height a bit -- the frame is slightly large for me but generally comfortable after tweaking the fit with a different stem and handlebar. But I'm also hoping the conversion will contribute to a plusher ride.
Much as I like the bike with the current setup -- Nitto albatross bar -- something about it jolts my old neck injury the wrong way on chipseal. And chipseal has increasingly become the standard pavement in my area. I've tried various height/reach tweaks but nothing quite resolves the problem.
Recently I switched my Ironman to latex tubes and was surprised by how much it improved the ride quality. It's more comfortable on bad roads with latex tubes and decent 700x25 tires than my Univega with 700x38 tires at lower pressure.
I'm at the limit of tire width with the 700c setup, but there's plenty of room for fatter tires if I convert to 650B. Even if I could fit fatter 700c tires, it would also raise the overall bike height, which is already marginally tall for me. I think it's a 58cm frame, maybe 60cm, and I'm 5'11" with 33" inseam.
I'll probably need to replace the 175 cranks with 170 to make it work and ensure enough clearance.
#30
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
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Any problems with crank length from the conversion and lower overall bike height?
A 650B has been on my to-do list for my Univega Via Carisma. Partly to lower the height a bit -- the frame is slightly large for me but generally comfortable after tweaking the fit with a different stem and handlebar. But I'm also hoping the conversion will contribute to a plusher ride.
Much as I like the bike with the current setup -- Nitto albatross bar -- something about it jolts my old neck injury the wrong way on chipseal. And chipseal has increasingly become the standard pavement in my area. I've tried various height/reach tweaks but nothing quite resolves the problem.
Recently I switched my Ironman to latex tubes and was surprised by how much it improved the ride quality. It's more comfortable on bad roads with latex tubes and decent 700x25 tires than my Univega with 700x38 tires at lower pressure.
I'm at the limit of tire width with the 700c setup, but there's plenty of room for fatter tires if I convert to 650B. Even if I could fit fatter 700c tires, it would also raise the overall bike height, which is already marginally tall for me. I think it's a 58cm frame, maybe 60cm, and I'm 5'11" with 33" inseam.
I'll probably need to replace the 175 cranks with 170 to make it work and ensure enough clearance.
A 650B has been on my to-do list for my Univega Via Carisma. Partly to lower the height a bit -- the frame is slightly large for me but generally comfortable after tweaking the fit with a different stem and handlebar. But I'm also hoping the conversion will contribute to a plusher ride.
Much as I like the bike with the current setup -- Nitto albatross bar -- something about it jolts my old neck injury the wrong way on chipseal. And chipseal has increasingly become the standard pavement in my area. I've tried various height/reach tweaks but nothing quite resolves the problem.
Recently I switched my Ironman to latex tubes and was surprised by how much it improved the ride quality. It's more comfortable on bad roads with latex tubes and decent 700x25 tires than my Univega with 700x38 tires at lower pressure.
I'm at the limit of tire width with the 700c setup, but there's plenty of room for fatter tires if I convert to 650B. Even if I could fit fatter 700c tires, it would also raise the overall bike height, which is already marginally tall for me. I think it's a 58cm frame, maybe 60cm, and I'm 5'11" with 33" inseam.
I'll probably need to replace the 175 cranks with 170 to make it work and ensure enough clearance.
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#31
aka Tom Reingold
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[MENTION=418370]canklecat[/MENTION], everyone is different, but somehow I can adjust to stuff like that easily. When I'm on a bike at risk of pedal strike, I coast through turns without thinking about it. You might be able to, also.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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#33
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Thread Starter
For this build, the difference between the old 700x28 and the new 650x42 is a reduction in diameter of at most 3mm. So, negligible in terms of standover height, but transformative in terms of ride quality!
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1987 Nishiki Prestige (now 650B!)
1981 Trek 710
198? Nishiki Olympic 12 mixte (now 650B!)
2020 Surly Troll fat-tire build
1987 Nishiki Prestige (now 650B!)
1981 Trek 710
198? Nishiki Olympic 12 mixte (now 650B!)
2020 Surly Troll fat-tire build
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#34
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#35
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#36
aka Tom Reingold
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I can't quantify. I weigh 165. On 32mm tires, I am in danger of bottoming out on potholes at 30 psi, but I've managed. The more weight you have, the higher pressure you require. The wider tire you have, the less pressure you require.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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#37
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Same. It's shocking how easy it is to do that. About half of mine come out like that
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#39
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#40
Senior Member
#41
Not lost wanderer.
I never saw the bike in person, got it from nlearner and he sent it directly to gugie
As sold to me, nlearner's pic
After a little massaging, the gugieficatizion.
Now if this Covid-19 crap would go away and I could get back to the States I could build it up. Looking at Dura-Ace 7600, I think, with some nice Velocity rims and some Paselas 650bx40.
Gugie built it for Mafac racers. Hopefully it will replace my Centurion Pro-tour here are my #1 bike.
As sold to me, nlearner's pic
After a little massaging, the gugieficatizion.
Now if this Covid-19 crap would go away and I could get back to the States I could build it up. Looking at Dura-Ace 7600, I think, with some nice Velocity rims and some Paselas 650bx40.
Gugie built it for Mafac racers. Hopefully it will replace my Centurion Pro-tour here are my #1 bike.
Likes For bwilli88:
#42
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
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I never saw the bike in person, got it from nlearner and he sent it directly to gugie
As sold to me, nlearner's pic
After a little massaging, the gugieficatizion.
Now if this Covid-19 crap would go away and I could get back to the States I could build it up. Looking at Dura-Ace 7600, I think, with some nice Velocity rims and some Paselas 650bx40.
Gugie built it for Mafac racers. Hopefully it will replace my Centurion Pro-tour here are my #1 bike.
As sold to me, nlearner's pic
After a little massaging, the gugieficatizion.
Now if this Covid-19 crap would go away and I could get back to the States I could build it up. Looking at Dura-Ace 7600, I think, with some nice Velocity rims and some Paselas 650bx40.
Gugie built it for Mafac racers. Hopefully it will replace my Centurion Pro-tour here are my #1 bike.
#43
Lurker
Thread Starter
Bottom bracket is knackered. It’s a Performance-branded cartridge bearing unit I bought about thirty years ago. I suppose I can retire it finally....
I came this close to ordering the ubiquitous Shimano UN55 replacement. Thank goodness I came to my senses and ordered a NOS SunTour cup-and-cone unit for three times the price.
I came this close to ordering the ubiquitous Shimano UN55 replacement. Thank goodness I came to my senses and ordered a NOS SunTour cup-and-cone unit for three times the price.
__________________
1987 Nishiki Prestige (now 650B!)
1981 Trek 710
198? Nishiki Olympic 12 mixte (now 650B!)
2020 Surly Troll fat-tire build
1987 Nishiki Prestige (now 650B!)
1981 Trek 710
198? Nishiki Olympic 12 mixte (now 650B!)
2020 Surly Troll fat-tire build