Show Us Your 650B Conversions
02-09-20, 09:45 PM
#726
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Thibodaux, LoUiSiAna
Posts: 93
Bikes: '71 Peugeot UO-8, '83 Trek 720, '81 Trek 412, '83 Trek 620, '72 Atala Competizione, '51 Raleigh Sports 'C' Tourist, '58 Raleigh Sports, '91 Bridgestone MB-1, '94 Specialized StumpJumper
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 45 Post(s)
Liked 64 Times
in
19 Posts
1982 Trek 613
This is the twin to natterberry's 614
Likes For BocaJr:
02-10-20, 02:06 PM
#727
Senior Member
02-10-20, 04:12 PM
#728
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,753
Bikes: 1986 KHS Fiero, 1989 Trek 950, 1990 Trek 7000, 1991 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, 1992 Trek 1400, 1997 Cannondale CAD2 R300, 1998 Cannondale CAD2 R200, 2002 Marin San Rafael, 2006 Cannondale CAAD8 R1000, 2010 Performance Access XCL9R
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 284 Post(s)
Liked 385 Times
in
207 Posts
132mm, wow. And I haven't taken any of my frames past 126mm yet. 
There are a lot of elegant and inelegant methods out there for dimpling the stays, mine is somewhere in the middle. I took a spare pair of vise-grips and ground out one jaw to be smooth and more or less the radius of the outside of a chainstay, then padded it with a few layers of duct tape. I also ground one side of an 11/16" wrench to be rounded and smooth, and so my process is to place the rounded side of the wrench where I want to make the dimple, open up the vise-grips a bunch to fit around the chainstay and inner face of the wrench, and then gently squeeze. I try to only do a little at a time, and you don't have to make a deep impression on the inside of the chainstay to open up a decent amount of tire clearance. Afterward, it's a good idea to double-check your dropout alignment.
There are a lot of elegant and inelegant methods out there for dimpling the stays, mine is somewhere in the middle. I took a spare pair of vise-grips and ground out one jaw to be smooth and more or less the radius of the outside of a chainstay, then padded it with a few layers of duct tape. I also ground one side of an 11/16" wrench to be rounded and smooth, and so my process is to place the rounded side of the wrench where I want to make the dimple, open up the vise-grips a bunch to fit around the chainstay and inner face of the wrench, and then gently squeeze. I try to only do a little at a time, and you don't have to make a deep impression on the inside of the chainstay to open up a decent amount of tire clearance. Afterward, it's a good idea to double-check your dropout alignment.
Very cool use of a versatile tool!!!
02-10-20, 09:17 PM
#729
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Thibodaux, LoUiSiAna
Posts: 93
Bikes: '71 Peugeot UO-8, '83 Trek 720, '81 Trek 412, '83 Trek 620, '72 Atala Competizione, '51 Raleigh Sports 'C' Tourist, '58 Raleigh Sports, '91 Bridgestone MB-1, '94 Specialized StumpJumper
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 45 Post(s)
Liked 64 Times
in
19 Posts
Thanks! This thread with many bikes like yours were a big help in this build. I wish I was better at documenting with pictures throughout a build. This was a $50 CL acquisition needing a lot of work. Here's the CL ad, my only before picture. I guess the bike needing so much work gave my a sort of 'blank canvas'
02-11-20, 08:38 AM
#730
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,753
Bikes: 1986 KHS Fiero, 1989 Trek 950, 1990 Trek 7000, 1991 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, 1992 Trek 1400, 1997 Cannondale CAD2 R300, 1998 Cannondale CAD2 R200, 2002 Marin San Rafael, 2006 Cannondale CAAD8 R1000, 2010 Performance Access XCL9R
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 284 Post(s)
Liked 385 Times
in
207 Posts
As I recently picked up a 2002 Marin hybrid, surprised at the relatively narrow chain stays. I had hoped to fit a 700x45, but a 700x40 is all I can fit. I am giving a serious consideration to a 650b conversion, and seeing your modified vise grips might get me the additional room I need. I have a friend bringing me a 27.5 rear wheel to see if I have reach with my current V brakes or not.
Very cool use of a versatile tool!!!
Very cool use of a versatile tool!!!
02-11-20, 07:37 PM
#732
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Thibodaux, LoUiSiAna
Posts: 93
Bikes: '71 Peugeot UO-8, '83 Trek 720, '81 Trek 412, '83 Trek 620, '72 Atala Competizione, '51 Raleigh Sports 'C' Tourist, '58 Raleigh Sports, '91 Bridgestone MB-1, '94 Specialized StumpJumper
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 45 Post(s)
Liked 64 Times
in
19 Posts
Yes I did. I’m usually not one to modify components or frames, but I did in this case. I guess I really didn’t do my homework, since I thought the Tektros would work. I grounded the slots, but it was a white knuckle moment!
09-03-20, 09:53 AM
#734
If I own it, I ride it
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cardinal Country
Posts: 5,579
Bikes: Lejeune(14), Raleigh, Raysport, Jan De Reus, Gazelle, Masi, B. Carré(4), Springfield, Greg Lemond, Andre Bertin, Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 662 Times
in
311 Posts
Likes For CV-6:
09-03-20, 11:14 AM
#736
Senior Member
Maybe didn't post this here yet? '71 Raleigh/Carlton Professional Track, bought as a frameset. With 700x28 Vittoria Corsa tires, actual width around 26mm, clearance at the chainstays and under the fork crown were _very_ tight. With 650b GB Cypres, actual width around 32mm, clearance at the stays is reasonable, 4mm/side, and under the fork is clear as a bell. BB is on the high side, so the lower overall height hasn't been a problem. Getting the long-reach Campy front caliper to reach the rims was a chore, might end up replacing it with something just a smidge longer.
With only a front brake, and Jersey traffic, I went with a modern aero lever plus 'cross levers. Recently added a tandem dummy right-hand brake lever stub, no photos with that yet.
Before, 700c:
After, 650b:
With only a front brake, and Jersey traffic, I went with a modern aero lever plus 'cross levers. Recently added a tandem dummy right-hand brake lever stub, no photos with that yet.
Before, 700c:
After, 650b:
__________________
Fuggedaboutit!
Fuggedaboutit!
Likes For pcb:
09-03-20, 11:28 AM
#737
Full Member
Good time to post my completed '83 Trek 620 project.
Decided to hold off on implementing a full dynamo system for now, as I sort of like having a dynamo-less wheelset. If/when I move to New Mexico next year, I'll have to rebuild all my wheelsets anyway to go tubeless.
You can guess who did the frame/fork/rack work. How is there not already a dedicated thread to showing off your bikes that have undergone gugie -ficazione? Is there?
Decided to hold off on implementing a full dynamo system for now, as I sort of like having a dynamo-less wheelset. If/when I move to New Mexico next year, I'll have to rebuild all my wheelsets anyway to go tubeless.
You can guess who did the frame/fork/rack work. How is there not already a dedicated thread to showing off your bikes that have undergone gugie -ficazione? Is there?
Likes For bear_a_bug:
09-03-20, 02:11 PM
#738
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Greenville SC
Posts: 4,117
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane Grand Jubile, 2020 Holdsworth Competition, 2022 Giant Trance 29 3
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3349 Post(s)
Liked 3,609 Times
in
1,239 Posts
09-03-20, 02:59 PM
#739
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,989
Bikes: ‘87 Marinoni SLX Sports Tourer, ‘79 Miyata 912 by Gugificazione
Mentioned: 166 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 500 Post(s)
Liked 466 Times
in
256 Posts
You can guess who did the frame/fork/rack work. How is there not already a dedicated thread to showing off your bikes that have undergone gugie -ficazione? Is there?
09-03-20, 03:48 PM
#740
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,146
Mentioned: 481 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3803 Post(s)
Liked 6,639 Times
in
2,602 Posts
09-08-20, 01:27 PM
#742
Senior Member
Current ‘82 614 setup:
09-08-20, 02:38 PM
#743
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,812
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1105 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,326 Times
in
782 Posts
An un-conversion; 650B to 559
I had a 80s Peugeot berceau to work with; steel 650B rims, 103 tubing, Positron 5-speed, needed tidying. Still need proper touchup paint, that Peugeot white pearl is difficult.
Now has Shimano rear and 6 gears. And alloy 26 inch rims, only made sense when 650B tyres are north of 50 dollars each, rims are not cheap either, 26 inch rims and rubber *are* cheap, and those Altenberger brakes have at least 75mm reach centre-to-centre. Stem police - that's as far *down* as it will go, there's a sleeve inside that stops it there, so adjustment upwards is limited to about 3/4 inch.
Sorry all, I'll get my coat.
Now has Shimano rear and 6 gears. And alloy 26 inch rims, only made sense when 650B tyres are north of 50 dollars each, rims are not cheap either, 26 inch rims and rubber *are* cheap, and those Altenberger brakes have at least 75mm reach centre-to-centre. Stem police - that's as far *down* as it will go, there's a sleeve inside that stops it there, so adjustment upwards is limited to about 3/4 inch.
Sorry all, I'll get my coat.
09-08-20, 05:21 PM
#744
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,630
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1299 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4677 Post(s)
Liked 5,790 Times
in
2,279 Posts
Meh, ga head!
__________________
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.
09-09-20, 10:03 AM
#745
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bronx, NYC
Posts: 1,885
Bikes: '19 Fuji Gran Fondo 1.5, '72 Peugeot PX10, '71ish Gitane Super Corsa, '78 Fuji Newest, '89 Fuji Ace, '94 Cannondale R600, early '70s LeJeune Pro project
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 293 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
101 Posts
09-09-20, 10:49 AM
#746
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
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...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
This is a 26" conversion, not 650b, but it's the same general idea.
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
Likes For rhm:
09-09-20, 12:10 PM
#747
If I own it, I ride it
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cardinal Country
Posts: 5,579
Bikes: Lejeune(14), Raleigh, Raysport, Jan De Reus, Gazelle, Masi, B. Carré(4), Springfield, Greg Lemond, Andre Bertin, Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 662 Times
in
311 Posts
Love that half-step/granny on the LeJeune, CV-6 . What's the gearing?
Beautiful frame. Was this a repaint/redecal, or original? Feel like I saw this one somewhere before.
Beautiful frame. Was this a repaint/redecal, or original? Feel like I saw this one somewhere before.
47/40/28, 14-28 seven speed.
Frame appeared in its own thread. Started as a tribute bike based on a Carré frame. Found the real deal, so changed it up to a 650B using parts from the tandem that never gets ridden.
09-09-20, 01:33 PM
#748
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
Likes For noobinsf:
09-09-20, 05:59 PM
#749
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,630
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1299 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4677 Post(s)
Liked 5,790 Times
in
2,279 Posts
Likes For gugie:
09-10-20, 05:52 AM
#750
tantum vehi
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Flathead Valley, MT
Posts: 4,440
Bikes: More than I care to admit
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1167 Post(s)
Liked 992 Times
in
491 Posts
Thats more than just a 559 conversion! 
__________________
1970 Gitane TdF; 1973 Gitane TdF
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
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
Likes For mountaindave: