ehcoplex 

There really aren't a lot of options out there for rim-brake 650b wheel sets. Cycles Toussaint currently have sets in stock for pretty cheap (though shipping from Canada may bite you, and I've got no experience with them). The dearth of options (which was even more acute early in the pandemic) inspired me to learn to build my own wheels- by waiting for VO sales, I've built up a couple 650b sets using their hubs and Voyageur rims for around $300 (including spokes). Built up several 700c wheel sets now, too. There's definitely a learning curve, and the first set I did I think I laced and re-laced a couple time before I got it right- but it gets easier and a little more intuitive each time. And by building your own, you can get exactly what you want!

arsprod 

Thought about it, really don't want to! I should have added I want disc brake wheels. The issue is everything new is through axle.

ehcoplex 

Ah, got it.

mhespenheide 

Then, in practical terms, you're going to have to go for a set that's convertible between through-axle and QR with endcaps.

The cheapest reasonable ones I know of are these:
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/.../rp-prod187140
and the conversion kits add a little cost. They're out of stock right now, but sign up for a notification and it shouldn't be too long.

52telecaster

I build mine but those cycles toussaint ones do look nice.
Sorry I reread and those aren't gonna meet your needs.

seat_boy

I've had good luck with wheels from Velomine, they have at least a few QR 650b options (assuming you have 100/135 spacing):

https://velomine.com/products/dt-swi...bike-wheels-qr

https://velomine.com/products/weinma...heels-clincher

just a few examples, they have more.

For rim brake users, they also have a few budget wheels:

https://velomine.com/products/sta-tr...r-qr-rim-brake


I ordered this FW wheel set for my 650b fixed gear conversion I'm working on, so I had to cut down the axle, juggle the spacers, and redish the wheel, and it doesn't have a proper lockring. BUT, the Sta True rim looks decent, and surprisingly it claims tubeless compatibility. I'm still waiting for my tires to arrive to see how installation goes:

https://velomine.com/products/sta-tr...a4857617&_ss=r

arsprod 

Wow, great prices for some nice looking wheels. Great resource, thanks!

beicster 

This Raleigh International has a very high bottom bracket. With 700x35’s it was 290mm. It rode fine but I decided to throw a set of 650b wheels on it to lower it some. These are the Cycles Toussaint wheels with Pari Moto 42’s. It rides even better now. Tomorrow I am going to take it for a longer ride to get a better idea. Honestly, though, based on the looks alone, it would have to awful for me not to like it.

These are 700c fenders. I’ll mess with the alignment when I get some 650b fenders.



The brakes are Tektro 559 with bdop offset pad holders. They work great.

bulgie 

Yep lovely bike, congrats. Pari-Motos are fast. I love that fork crown with the decorative "weight reduction" slot milled into the front. Always admired those.

Is that Avocet headset the roller-bearing kind? I think they made a ball-bearing set too and I don't know how to tell from the outside look.
If roller-bearing, have you had it apart? I have one in a box that I've been a little afraid to use because I've heard they are difficult to disassemble as in take it back off the bike. Or am I thinking of the Galli roller-bearing? Anyway, it's probably durable enough to outlast the bike, so disassembly might be moot. Just curious.

Mark

beicster 

I think it has an unusual set of bearings (see below). When I first got it, I could not get the fork out despite removing the adjusting nut and the lock nut. I even hit the top of the fork with a rubber mallet a few times and it did not budge. Since it was turning nice and smooth, I decided to leave well enough alone.

bulgie 

Yep that's exactly the scenario I was talking about. The lower bearing is pressed onto the fork crown and pressed into the head tube, and then disassembling it becomes nigh-on impossible. Haven't tried it myself, just what I've heard. The bearing itself doesn't like to be disassembled. Luckily it should be extremely durable.

I think hitting the top of the steerer with a plastic mallet is the correct method, you just need to hit it harder! I would thread on a sacrificial headset nut for hammering on to protect the steerer. Some rusty old steel thing, not the nice alloy nut the headset comes with.

Mark B

seat_boy

My report on these Sta Tru rims is so far negative. I spent 30 minutes trying to wrestle a Pari Moto onto the rim, it was super tight. Finally, using my Kool Stop tire jack, I was able to get the tire on--without a tube. Hopefully the bead stretches over the next few days and will allow me to get a tube in there.

It's amazing how many bad 650b rims I've experienced (Synergy, Pacenti, now these). I've never had issues mounting tires with 20", 26", or 700c rims, but I've mostly had crap 650b rims.

rccardr 

Velocity A23's for the win, especially with an offset rear. ZERO problems in almost seven years, including some pretty hard gravel use.

seat_boy

But don't the A23s have a narrow brake track? I've read that somewhere.

Of course, I would trade a narrow brake track for actually being able to mount a tire...

mountaindave 

Rims are an area I have had to spend money, but it's money well spent. I got a couple sets of Grand Bois back when RH was Compass - mount beautifully. (Jan doesn't sell rims that don't mount properly.) I got the early Pacenti SL-23's and they mount fine. My Velocity A23's mount fine too. I bought cheap rims once and moved them along (with full disclosure).

52telecaster

A23s have plenty of brake track for me but I have no issues with weinmann zac19s even. They are solid, fairly light and tires fit on them.

seat_boy

Here’s my ‘84 Trek set up as a fixed gear with 38mm Pari Motos and those Sta Tru wheels.

pnwgopher

Here's the AD Vent Noir that I picked up from Bogester as a bare frameset a few months ago. Really happy with how it turned out.

ehcoplex 

Wow, that's some smoked-chrome goodness there. A Vent-Noir is one of my grail bikes... Is there clearance for fenders?

Dylansbob 

I don't know if I'd posted any of these earlier, but various 650b projects I dabbled with over the years.

52telecaster

Those blue fenders rock!

52telecaster

I think I posted this before but I dug it out today for a brief lunch ride and since I've gotten rid of a couple of lesser bikes it needed riding.
An early 70s Raleigh professional that when I found it was a fixie. Fortunately it hadn't had the derailleur hanger removed. All I got was frameset, wrong crank, headset, seatpost and seat. The rest was up to me. My first move was 700c but tire clearance is tight as this bike was made for sewups, but on the upside it had fender eyelets. I love full 531 frames and the somewhat quick handling geometry of the professional is all the better to me when sitting upright with porteur bars, so I put a set of zac19s I had previously built up on it with tektro 559s. The setup was extremely easy and good clearance for 38s. Fenders are steel so not super light but the bike is still pretty light. Dynamo, lights and velo orange rack finish it off.

greatbasin

Never heard of him.
27x1-1/4 are comfortable already. It's not like anyone is still riding on bone shakers. Even the racers are riding on 32's again.
I have an '87 Traveler. Again, with the 1-1/4 Marathons it doesn't really need 650B. It might be a sensible conversion for a bike that originally came with tubulars or very narrow clincher rims but most of those won't fit fat tires within the seat stays or fork.

pnwgopher

Thanks! With 38s fenders would be easy, but with 42s (pictured) it'd be pretty tight at the fork blades and chainstays. But I saw that you managed to get fenders + 42s on a trek 400 (which I couldn't do), so I wouldn't put it past you.

beicster 

What bag is that on the back?