Show Us Your 650B Conversions
12-09-15, 02:00 PM
#301
multimodal commuter
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Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
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@rhm, you're giving the F grade to which tire, the Hetre or the Col de la Vie?
I have edited my post.
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12-09-15, 02:46 PM
#302
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Thanks. I'm looking forward to getting more miles in on my Pacenti Pari-Motos next season. The two rides I did with them were fantastic.
12-09-15, 04:50 PM
#303
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Not at all. Lots of 70's-80's steel framed bikes are perfect candidates if you like fatter, performance tires, and especially if you like (or need!) fenders. A bike built for 700c, even 27" with skinny tires can become much more comfortable, and allow for non-paved riding, with fatter tires. Reduce the rim diameter and add it back with tire.
The problem with your bike is probably brake reach. Find a pair of 650b wheels to try out and see for yourself. You're in greater Portlandia, correct? I happen to know a guy, he sometimes answers to the name Crapmaster...could be arranged..
The problem with your bike is probably brake reach. Find a pair of 650b wheels to try out and see for yourself. You're in greater Portlandia, correct? I happen to know a guy, he sometimes answers to the name Crapmaster...could be arranged..
12-09-15, 05:44 PM
#304
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@mountaindave, what do you mean by "1x"?
@nazcalines, very nice. Is a 38mm tire the widest you can fit?
@nazcalines, very nice. Is a 38mm tire the widest you can fit?
@mountaindave, thanks, it's working well for me though I'll probably go with a little wider range cassette at some point.
@Velocivixen, they're Shimano 600 levers.
12-09-15, 11:45 PM
#305
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Yeah I kind of figured brake reach would be the main issue, I'm gonna pick up a set of used 650b wheels soon and I'll see how it all looks. And yep I'm in the Portland area alright, thanks. I'm gonna update this thread once I get my project rolling, but I have to say, all these conversions are sure inspiring. Pretty cool.
The bike as it's currently set up.
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12-10-15, 12:04 AM
#306
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Wondering why I've never posted on this thread...here I go:
My daughter the wonder Miss H's 650b conversion from a Nishiki Olympic 12 mixte (my first conversion):
Velo Orange Randonneur frame (2010 lugged version):
Italvega 650b IGH conversion
and, of course, the glorious Weigle'ized Raleigh Competition:
I have a couple others, but need better pics, will post later.
My daughter the wonder Miss H's 650b conversion from a Nishiki Olympic 12 mixte (my first conversion):
Velo Orange Randonneur frame (2010 lugged version):
Italvega 650b IGH conversion
and, of course, the glorious Weigle'ized Raleigh Competition:
I have a couple others, but need better pics, will post later.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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12-10-15, 08:20 AM
#307
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I've posted these photos before, but perhaps not in this thread... so here's mine.
The frame was originally a 1976? Holdsworth "531 Special" that someone had modified by adding fender eyelets, top tube cable guides, bosses for two water bottles, downtube cable stops, eyelets for front and rear racks (different from the fender eyelets, so presumably done at a different time). Apparently someone wanted to use it as a touring bike. That wasn't my plan, but then I thought, oh, why not?
So I did:
As a touring bike, it was fine. Rode some 600+ miles through NY State on 650b Col-de-la-Vie tires.
Since that tour, though, the bike has reverted to a 'rando' form with the handlebar bag almost always in place, and a removable bag on the rear:
Hetres are an incredibly tight fit. But they fit! Speaking of hetres, you've seen these before; I got them second hand.
I'm using 165's. I wouldn't mind something shorter, but it's hard to find anything shorter than 165's. Certainly nothing attractive.
The frame was originally a 1976? Holdsworth "531 Special" that someone had modified by adding fender eyelets, top tube cable guides, bosses for two water bottles, downtube cable stops, eyelets for front and rear racks (different from the fender eyelets, so presumably done at a different time). Apparently someone wanted to use it as a touring bike. That wasn't my plan, but then I thought, oh, why not?
So I did:
As a touring bike, it was fine. Rode some 600+ miles through NY State on 650b Col-de-la-Vie tires.
Since that tour, though, the bike has reverted to a 'rando' form with the handlebar bag almost always in place, and a removable bag on the rear:
Hetres are an incredibly tight fit. But they fit! Speaking of hetres, you've seen these before; I got them second hand.
I'm using 165's. I wouldn't mind something shorter, but it's hard to find anything shorter than 165's. Certainly nothing attractive.
SUGINO
12-10-15, 09:19 AM
#308
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12-10-15, 12:37 PM
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My various 650B conversions are likely scattered through this thread, but here they are in one post:
Currently in the fleet:
Lemond Buenos Aires with 38mm tires:
St. Etienne porteur (originally made for 27" wheels) with 32mm tires:
No longer in the fleet:
'94 Trek 2120 with 32mm tires:
Trek 330 Elance with 38mm tires:
'72 Peugeot PX-10 with 42mm tires:
J.P. Weigle with 32mm tires
'78 Raleigh Competition G.S. with 38mm tires
Centurion Semi-Pro with 38mm tires
Currently in the fleet:
Lemond Buenos Aires with 38mm tires:
St. Etienne porteur (originally made for 27" wheels) with 32mm tires:
No longer in the fleet:
'94 Trek 2120 with 32mm tires:
Trek 330 Elance with 38mm tires:
'72 Peugeot PX-10 with 42mm tires:
J.P. Weigle with 32mm tires
'78 Raleigh Competition G.S. with 38mm tires
Centurion Semi-Pro with 38mm tires
12-10-15, 02:39 PM
#311
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I bought this Raleigh Olympian for cheap because most of the alloy parts had been badly pitted by salt air. Fortunately the paint was good and dirty, so I decided on new bars, stem, wheels and brakes after i had cleaned it up. I found a great deal on a pair of 650B wheels and the seller threw in a cassette.
Here is where I began after cleanup.
I put a shorter stem on it and flipped the bars. Later I worked on the fender line. I have come to a point that works for me now, so here is where it stands.
Here is where I began after cleanup.
I put a shorter stem on it and flipped the bars. Later I worked on the fender line. I have come to a point that works for me now, so here is where it stands.
Last edited by dweenk; 12-10-15 at 03:02 PM.
12-10-15, 06:51 PM
#312
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My various 650B conversions are likely scattered through this thread, but here they are in one post:
Currently in the fleet:
Lemond Buenos Aires with 38mm tires:
St. Etienne porteur (originally made for 27" wheels) with 32mm tires:
No longer in the fleet:
'94 Trek 2120 with 32mm tires:
Trek 330 Elance with 38mm tires:
'72 Peugeot PX-10 with 42mm tires:
J.P. Weigle with 32mm tires
'78 Raleigh Competition G.S. with 38mm tires
Centurion Semi-Pro with 38mm tires
Currently in the fleet:
Lemond Buenos Aires with 38mm tires:
St. Etienne porteur (originally made for 27" wheels) with 32mm tires:
No longer in the fleet:
'94 Trek 2120 with 32mm tires:
Trek 330 Elance with 38mm tires:
'72 Peugeot PX-10 with 42mm tires:
J.P. Weigle with 32mm tires
'78 Raleigh Competition G.S. with 38mm tires
Centurion Semi-Pro with 38mm tires
But you got rid of your Weigle? Were you in a desperate condition at the time, dumpster diving to eat?
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
12-10-15, 08:54 PM
#313
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It was too nice for me, really, so I sold it and put the parts on my '84 Raleigh Gran Course, which cost less than 20% of the Weigle. And I actually couldn't tell the difference between the ride!
12-11-15, 01:28 PM
#314
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Too nice? I have to think about that.
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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
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
12-11-15, 03:39 PM
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12-11-15, 04:00 PM
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I totally agree with that. No need to make more or glorify something more than it needs to be. I am in the process of recycling my 1982 Panasonic fx 2000 possibly into a 650b commuter. I think it's medium low end vintage style is just perfect!
12-11-15, 06:41 PM
#317
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+1. I dont think I can own a pristine Grail bike because I will only be able to put it on a pedestal and worship it. I want to ride it.
12-11-15, 08:22 PM
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Yeah, that's pretty much how I felt about the Weigle. Plus, it wasn't exactly a magic carpet ride; it felt like a bike.
12-12-15, 08:56 PM
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Huh, lost my reply the first time. This is a '79ish Windsor Carrera Sport I picked up a while back. It was built for 27" wheels, but 650b x 38 mm works just fine. Pretty sure the frame is straight-gauge Tange tubing. The original fork is rusted pretty badly at one of the tips, this is the second replacement for the frameset. The material and geometry of this fork are miles above the previous junk that was on there - loose, bumpy gravel was smoothed out, and the entire character of the bike, especially while descending, was much more surefooted. It's turning out to be a pretty good all-around'er. Unfortunately, the fork crown is a bitter tight than I think will work with the fenders I'd planned on using. 45mm Velo Orange should to the trick well with a bit of shaping under the crown I think. Hopefully they're wide enough. The black bottle cages will go at some point as well and be replaced by some bare Al ones that are kicking around.
Anyone have a recommendation for a 650 x 38 (max) winter tire? Only thing I can think of would be Col de la Vie. Looks like all of the MTB stuff is much wider.
Anyone have a recommendation for a 650 x 38 (max) winter tire? Only thing I can think of would be Col de la Vie. Looks like all of the MTB stuff is much wider.
Last edited by Sir_Name; 12-12-15 at 08:59 PM.
12-13-15, 02:42 PM
#322
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Ah, I forgot to include one of my favorites: a Mercian King of Mercia, which I bought as a forlorn frameset on eBay, rode it a bunch, and then sold it to a BF member/friend:
As found (and mocked up with 700c wheels):
Built up with 650B x 38mm tires:
As found (and mocked up with 700c wheels):
Built up with 650B x 38mm tires:
Nice build. What fenders are those?
12-13-15, 03:39 PM
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01-01-17, 06:51 PM
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