flammenwurfer

Does pedal strike become an issue when converting to 650b?

stefan s

scroll down to the section "3.) Bottom bracket height." on this page. should answer your question thoroughly

Karloman

I want to convert one of my PKN10 and I was wondering if a 38mm tyre wouldn't be too much so I can hardly believe that a 42mm can fit between those stays !

Neal, can you please post a close up of the seat stays ? Thnx.

I'm really eager to put those wheels on my bike. I love it with 700c but I wonder if it's going to turn into the fun machine I imagine with smaller wheels/bigger tyres !

Cheers
Karl

NormanF

I have a Peugeot PX 10 and I converted it to 650B and chose Panaracer Col De La Vie 38 tires.

Runs great under fenders and the ride is like riding on the clouds!

nlerner

Karl, I'm afraid that frameset has moved on to a tall friend of mine (it was too big for me). He's also running it with 650B wheels but with Pacenti PariMoto tires, which are about 38mm wide, plus V-O alloy fenders.

Neal

Noah Scape

I've posted this bicycle before, but I took a couple of new pics of it yesterday. It's a 1978 Raleigh Competition that I picked up in group buy I made this past spring.

brockd15 

What brakes are you using?

Noah Scape

Mafac Racers.

WNG

How big of a jump in size is 650B from 26" MTB diameter? How much smaller from 700C?
Anyone have a photo of the various sizes (with tires mounted) next to each other?
Thinking 650B as a substitute for 26" MTB for a Ross Diamond Cruiser refurb. The frame has no canti brake bosses. I was thinking a pair of Mafac Racer centerpulls may clear and reach a 650B wheel.

Iowegian

650B are 584 diameter, 700 are 622 and 26" mtb are 559.

Speed2XS

Take a look at this link, some of the info here might be of use: Google 650b spreadsheet

LeicaLad 

Thank you. All small details add up.

Speed2XS

So how many successful 27" to 650b conversions have there been? What brakes have been used?

NormanF

Tektro 556 long reach brakes are standard and appropriate for a conversion.

If using upright bars, inverse Tektro brake levers are a must!

nlerner

My St. Etienne was originally made for 27" wheels, and I've been riding it as a 650B porteur for a couple of years now. I've never had an issue with pedal strike. Brakes are franken right now: Dia Compe/Weinmann 750 on the front, and some sort of Shimano sidepull on the rear (though this photo shows just sidepulls).



Neal

Speed2XS

Thanks guys for the reply's. On a couple of the 27" bikes I have in my possession, the brake reach measures 76mm for a 650b rim. It seems as though there aren't many brake options to make this possible. Everything seems to max at 73-75mm.

nlerner- whats your crank length on the bike you have pictured?

LeicaLad 

Well, the brakes shown are at their limit.

I'm looking forward to getting my new/old frame to measure. It's looking do-able.

Great looking bike.

What tires are those?

Thanks

Oops. Just saw last entry. Well, I'm hoping mine is do-able... sigh.

edit: And those fine rims? And that rack. Do they have a rear that looks as good?

cs1

3 1/2 years and 6 pages is a long time since your original post. I think 650B might not make it to big time like 700C but it does have a cult following. I've been wanting to a conversion for a while.

NormanF

There are brakes from 75 to 90 mm reach available today.

If you need an extra inch or so Sheldon Bown's drop bolt reach could come in handy.

NormanF

650B has acquired a safe place in the MTB world.

Sheldon Brown has his classic article about the nuts and bolts of converting a road bike to 650B.

The most popular thing about the size is the ride. Once you're hooked, you'll never go back to 700C!

Speed2XS

Are they dual pivot calipers that come is these lengths? Can you tell me which ones they are? I know I could make things work with side pull calipers, but don't really want to go that route.

Speed2XS

I think it's that and also the idea of re-purposing older road "race" bikes making them more practical, while still keeping them light, responsive and relatively swift. Most 700c frames wouldn't take 700x35's and fenders. Add to that the sophisticated and classy look of an old steel frame with upright bars and nice fenders, it's hard to beat IMHO.

NormanF

Through QBP or you can have your LBS source your brakes to make a 650B conversion possible.

NormanF

Many road bikes in 700C won't take wider tires and they don't even have room to install good fenders.

All that changes when you go to 650B.

Speed2XS

I am actually a mobile LBS with several distributors selling tektro, cane creek, velo orange, etc; I was hoping you might have specific model numbers of dual pivot calipers with a +75mm reach. The 650b conversions I have done in the past were all based off 700c bikes, but 27" bikes present more of a challenge as their brake reach is even greater.

Quite true. This is why I encourage as many people as I can to go this route. Plus, the more people who do, the more products will be made to accommodate it. Just look at how many new 650b options there are these days in both rims and tires. I am excited to try out Pari-Motos for myself soon.