Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

Show Us Your 650B Conversions

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

Show Us Your 650B Conversions

Old 10-24-10, 02:23 AM
  #151  
cs1
Senior Member
 
cs1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Clev Oh
Posts: 7,091

Bikes: Specialized, Schwinn

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 225 Post(s)
Liked 24 Times in 22 Posts
Originally Posted by 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.
What about a brake drop bolt in conjunction with long reach brake bolts. https://www.sheldonbrown.com/dpdropbolt.html
cs1 is offline  
Old 10-24-10, 07:28 AM
  #152  
nlerner
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,127
Mentioned: 480 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3788 Post(s)
Liked 6,573 Times in 2,580 Posts
Originally Posted by LeicaLad
Great looking bike.

What tires are those? . . . And those fine rims? And that rack. Do they have a rear that looks as good?
Tires are Panaracer Nifty Swifty. They're the widest I can use with fenders and that front rack. The rack is a custom job from the Rack Lady:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/26811168@N07/

She'll build you whatever you want, front or rear, I believe.

Those rims are Rigida Sphynx, no longer made. That's a sweet wheelset w/ Campy NR hubs, and is now on my Ebisu rather than on my gritty commuter!

Neal
nlerner is offline  
Old 10-24-10, 10:59 AM
  #153  
Speed2XS
New account: KlunkerBiker
 
Speed2XS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Post Falls, ID
Posts: 141

Bikes: Lots

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by cs1
What about a brake drop bolt in conjunction with long reach brake bolts. https://www.sheldonbrown.com/dpdropbolt.html
I may have to go this route, but have been trying to avoid it as I don't have the skill to fabricate as nice a piece as the production drop-bolt. What my goal ultimately is, is a 27" frame with 650x2.0 knobbies. I have the frame for it, but no brake solution yet.
Speed2XS is offline  
Old 10-25-10, 08:08 AM
  #154  
fenderbender
consilio et animis
 
fenderbender's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Suedé
Posts: 88

Bikes: It's not 'bout the bike!

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by 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.
.
DiaCompe has dusted of the old molds and started producing the DC750 with 60mm-78mm reach again. I believe Tektro have several side pull models but they keep changing the names and finishes so I can only find the R556 or R559 w 53-73 mm reach. I'm sure there are other brands out there. But I wouldn't buy any of these as there are such abundance of perfectly decent Weinmann Vainqueur 999, Altenburger Concorde and Shimano Tourney's out there.
fenderbender is offline  
Old 10-25-10, 08:25 AM
  #155  
hhabca
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 378
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
A 27" bike with long reach brakes from the factory is a really nice frame to convert to 700C as it most likely allows for a wider tire and fenders with the smaller 700C rims. How wide a tire can fit with fenders depends on the frame, but typically it's the next size up (or 2 sizes up) from the widest that originally fit. A 27" bike with 'racer' dimensions might work going to 650B if the frame was originally sized to fit really skinny tires, no fenders, and used short reach brakes with the pads at the top - but that's not a common frame design for a vintage 27" bike.

Originally Posted by Speed2XS
I may have to go this route, but have been trying to avoid it as I don't have the skill to fabricate as nice a piece as the production drop-bolt. What my goal ultimately is, is a 27" frame with 650x2.0 knobbies. I have the frame for it, but no brake solution yet.
hhabca is offline  
Old 10-25-10, 08:28 AM
  #156  
nlerner
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,127
Mentioned: 480 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3788 Post(s)
Liked 6,573 Times in 2,580 Posts
I have a set of Dia Compe 800 centerpulls; max reach is 85mm. A popular and pricey option is the Mafac Raid, which have at least 75mm of reach. I really regret selling the NOS set I had for $32! Excellent comparison chart here:

https://ruedatropical.wordpress.com/2...l-brake-specs/

Neal
nlerner is offline  
Old 10-25-10, 10:39 AM
  #157  
Speed2XS
New account: KlunkerBiker
 
Speed2XS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Post Falls, ID
Posts: 141

Bikes: Lots

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thank you everyone for your input. I look forward to making this conversion happen.
Speed2XS is offline  
Old 10-25-10, 03:28 PM
  #158  
redxj
N+1
 
redxj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,320

Bikes: A few

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Why do the French always have to be a PITA. After reading this thread and seeing pics and mentions of a 650b Px10 I thought why not let's give it a try. I have a 72 px10 that has been repainted and upgraded with a mostly NR Campagnolo drivetrain. It also has a French Cinelli stem. I have been looking for a long French Cinelli with no luck. I bought it earlier this year and with the too short stem and needing new tubular tires I have ridden it. So I figured a 650b conversion might be in order.

I test fit the 650b wheels I pulled from an 80's schwinn mtn bike and put on a set of col de la vie tires I bought awhile ago. Everything fit perfectly and I found some weinmann 750 brakes that reach with room to spare. Then I found why the French can be a pain. The bolt hole on the fork isnt drilled even close to straight. I have thought of a few options and think I am going to replace the fork with a dimension 700c I can get from work. This way I can fix my brake issue and stem issue all at once. The wheels are steel hubs laced to single wall aluminum rims. I rebuilt both hubs at work today and converted the rear to a q/r instead of the stock bolt on.

I am thinking Tiagra hubs to Velocity Dyad rims running a 7 or 8 speed cassette friction shifted of course. The bar and stem will be Nitto Noodles and a Technomic I just traded for the other day. The CdlV tires will stay in the meantime and I plan to order some Tektro R556 brakes along with the wheel parts and fork. I just hope the fork can fit the 650b rims and the tektro brake has enough reach. It has the same axle to crown as the stock PX10 fork so I hope it will work.

Last edited by redxj; 10-29-10 at 05:09 PM.
redxj is offline  
Old 10-28-10, 07:20 PM
  #159  
LeicaLad 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Work in Asia, now based in Vienna, VA
Posts: 1,758
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 35 Times in 23 Posts
27" frame and brake reach

I have an old 27" frame that I'd like to go to 650B on, but it may be just too far of a reach.

The photo below is that of Zeus calipers against a 700c wheel. As you can see, I'll need long reach brakes to go to 700c.



Is it silly to think of trying for 650B? Or should I just get fat 700c wheels & tires, plus, of course, long reach brakes?
__________________
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
LeicaLad is offline  
Old 10-29-10, 02:44 AM
  #160  
NormanF
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,737
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 8 Posts
You can get long reach brakes... or if that's not an option, drum brakes will definitely solve your clearance issues and give your bike a cleaner look.
NormanF is offline  
Old 10-29-10, 10:08 AM
  #161  
Speed2XS
New account: KlunkerBiker
 
Speed2XS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Post Falls, ID
Posts: 141

Bikes: Lots

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by LeicaLad
I have an old 27" frame that I'd like to go to 650B on, but it may be just too far of a reach.

The photo below is that of Zeus calipers against a 700c wheel. As you can see, I'll need long reach brakes to go to 700c.

Is it silly to think of trying for 650B? Or should I just get fat 700c wheels & tires, plus, of course, long reach brakes?

Your sidepulls don't look all that long, which may be why they're adjusted to the bottom of their reach. You can figure out your current reach needed for 27" wheels, and what you will need for 650b's.

If you remove your front caliper, and measure the distance from the center of the brake hole in the fork crown to the center of the braking area of the rim, then add 23mm, as this is the rough difference of radius between the two sizes, 27" and 650B, this should give you the brake reach needed for a 650b conversion. Using a caliper to take this measurement really makes things infinitely easier.

At least this is how I determine brake reach.. I think it's correct...
Speed2XS is offline  
Old 10-29-10, 05:09 PM
  #162  
redxj
N+1
 
redxj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,320

Bikes: A few

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
All finished:





redxj is offline  
Old 10-29-10, 05:20 PM
  #163  
Chris W.
Senior Member
 
Chris W.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Nampa Idaho
Posts: 1,084

Bikes: 76' Centrurion Pro-Tour, 86' Specialized Rock Hopper, 88' Centurion Iron Man, 89' Bruce Gordon "Hikari", 95' Rock Hopper Ultra.

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by redxj
All finished:





Very classy Nice mix of old and new! How does it ride?

Cheers,
Chris
Chris W. is offline  
Old 10-29-10, 05:44 PM
  #164  
LeicaLad 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Work in Asia, now based in Vienna, VA
Posts: 1,758
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 35 Times in 23 Posts
Very nice. A Stronglight 93 w/ 105bis rings? What RD is that, please? While you're also commenting on the ride.

It sure looks great!
__________________
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
LeicaLad is offline  
Old 10-29-10, 06:04 PM
  #165  
southpawboston
Senior Member
 
southpawboston's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somerville, MA and Catskill Mtns
Posts: 4,150
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Liked 182 Times in 89 Posts
Originally Posted by redxj
All finished:

very nice! if i may ask, how tall are you? i'm guessing around 6'6".
southpawboston is offline  
Old 10-29-10, 07:59 PM
  #166  
redxj
N+1
 
redxj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,320

Bikes: A few

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by southpawboston
very nice! if i may ask, how tall are you? i'm guessing around 6'6".
Correct 6'6" with monkey long arms. It rides nice, but I am not sure how long of rides will go on it. The stem is a 100 mm and I would like at least a 120mm. Anyone have a 120-130mm French sized (22.0 quill)Cinelli stem? I did a quick trip to get some food for lunch today and the fat 650B tires really soak up the crappy local roads. It didn't feel slow or sluggish either.

The parts are a mix of old and new. The original owner I purchased it from had it repainted and after the repainted bought almost full Campagnolo Nuovo Record group for it. I didn't like how the r/d and rear shifter were working with the now 8speed cassette it sports on the rear wheel.

Here is the full parts spec:
63cm 1972 Peugeot PX10 frame and fork repainted by Matt Assenmacher
Stronglight roller bearing headset
Stronglight bottom bracket
Stronglight 93 crankset 170mm arms with 52/42 Stronglight rings
Crank Brothers Eggbeaters
Nuovo Record clamp on shifter mounts with Rivendell Silver shifters
Nuovo Record brake levers
Cinelli 1A stem (still too short)
Cinelli 66-42 bars
Tektro R556 dual pivot monster reach brakes
basic seatpost with a Brooks Swallow copy
Campagnolo BB cable guides and top tube housing clips
NR Front derailleur
Shimano 105 rear derailleur
KMC X9 chain
SRAM 12-26 8 speed cassette
Planet Bike Cascadia fenders (700c)
and the wheelset hand built by yours truly with Shimano Tiagra Hubs laced three cross to Velocity Dyad rims with DT Swiss 2.0/1.8 double butted spokes with Panaracer Col de la Vie 650b X 38 tires

Last edited by redxj; 10-29-10 at 08:07 PM.
redxj is offline  
Old 10-29-10, 08:19 PM
  #167  
NormanF
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,737
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 8 Posts
I like your build. It does look like a Rene Herse or Alex Singer bike.

This is the poor man's way to build a homage to the great constructeur/porteur bikes in France of the 1940s and 1950s.

I have a Peugeot PX 10 built up as a 650B porteur ride.
NormanF is offline  
Old 08-26-11, 02:40 PM
  #168  
Sigurdd50
Papa Wheelie
 
Sigurdd50's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Madison, Wi
Posts: 1,472

Bikes: Jamis Aurora '02; Takara Medalist (650B)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Latest Conversion finally finished:

John Howard 'Turbo Dog'

I believe this is a 1985 KHS John Howard Turbo frame (with some of the cheesy decals removed)
Tange Infinity
I am running a 1 x 8 drive train with a single bar end shifter

Wheels: Rigida Sphinx rims
105 hubs w/8 speed cassette
Soma B-Line Tires
Grip King pedals
V-O City Levers
Tektro R556 brakes
V-O Porteur Bars
Nitto Technomics Stem
Cinelli tape
Brooks b-17
some ebay big setback seat post
PB Eco Rack
Tourney Crank (scrounged)
Modified 'chain guard' (52 tooth chain ring with teeth ground off)
Shimano Deore RX (scounged)
Planet Bike Cascadia Fenders (hybrid size)

Way fun to ride!



Home Made Chain Guard






(phantom left side shifter!)




(reverential pose)
Sigurdd50 is offline  
Old 09-01-11, 07:39 PM
  #169  
woodrupjoe
Full Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 222
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times in 4 Posts
Wow, these are some beautiful conversions. Some help please, if you will. My daily commuter was stolen a couple of weeks ago and I've been thinking about how to replace it. I have a speedy bike, and a touring bike, and an oldie bike (all really nice fun bikes), but my daily commuter was fitted out with baskets and racks etc. I work as a carpenter and I've occasionally loaded my full kit onto my old bike to trek it across town to some job that requires my immediate appearance. I could make it on my old bike but it always seemed too wobbly for my taste. I've got a miyata 310 frame (for 27" wheels) and having read these great 650B conversion stories, I'm wondering if I should do the same. I would really like a sturdy bike to move my (heavy) tools around. I don't want a mountain bike type frame or anything really beefy, just a little bit sturdier ride than I had. Would this miyata 310 frame work for what I want to do? I'm ready to take the plunge.

thanks for any advice. I didn't want to start a whole new thread. Sorry if this is a hijack.
cheers Joe
woodrupjoe is offline  
Old 09-01-11, 09:20 PM
  #170  
southpawboston
Senior Member
 
southpawboston's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somerville, MA and Catskill Mtns
Posts: 4,150
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Liked 182 Times in 89 Posts
I've done two 650B conversions. One was a new Soma mixte frame built up for my wife with a 650B wheelset and extra long-reach Tektro R559 brakes. It wasn't so much a conversion, per se, but more of a build conceived from the start, around a frame that was desigend for either 700C or 650B wheels:





The other was a true conversion of a 1980s Japanese touring bike built around 27" wheels. This was more of a challenge because the frame had cantilever brakes, and the mounting bosses had to be removed and rebrazed to fit 650B wheels. You wouldn't want to do this on a frame that you want to keep original, but I made the decision to do this knowing that the frame didn't come from any particular provenance and that I would be powder coating it anyway:





siggurd-- you can mount a bell to the unused shifter boss!

woodrupjoe-- a frame made for 27" wheels presents an extra challenge because it may not be possible to source brakes with enough reach. Bikes built around 27" wheels require, on average, an additional 23mm of brake reach compared to 19mm when converting a bike designed around 700C wheels.
southpawboston is offline  
Likes For southpawboston:
Old 09-01-11, 09:44 PM
  #171  
robatsu
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Kansai
Posts: 1,686
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 9 Posts
Originally Posted by southpawboston

What is the story on that taillight? It looks interesting.
robatsu is offline  
Old 09-02-11, 06:24 AM
  #172  
-holiday76
No one cares
 
-holiday76's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Yardley, Pa
Posts: 6,147
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 226 Post(s)
Liked 105 Times in 64 Posts
does anyone have trouble with 175mm cranks hitting pedals on the ground in turns on 650b conversions?
__________________
I prefer emails to private messages - holiday76@gmail.com
Jack Taylor Super Tourer Tandem (FOR SALE), Jack Taylor Tour of Britain, Px-10, Carlton Flyer, Fuji The Finest, Salsa Fargo, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Carver All-Road .


-holiday76 is offline  
Old 09-02-11, 07:02 AM
  #173  
Sigurdd50
Papa Wheelie
 
Sigurdd50's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Madison, Wi
Posts: 1,472

Bikes: Jamis Aurora '02; Takara Medalist (650B)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by woodrupjoe
Wow, these are some beautiful conversions. Some help please, if you will. My daily commuter was stolen a couple of weeks ago and I've been thinking about how to replace it. I have a speedy bike, and a touring bike, and an oldie bike (all really nice fun bikes), but my daily commuter was fitted out with baskets and racks etc. I work as a carpenter and I've occasionally loaded my full kit onto my old bike to trek it across town to some job that requires my immediate appearance. I could make it on my old bike but it always seemed too wobbly for my taste. I've got a miyata 310 frame (for 27" wheels) and having read these great 650B conversion stories, I'm wondering if I should do the same. I would really like a sturdy bike to move my (heavy) tools around. I don't want a mountain bike type frame or anything really beefy, just a little bit sturdier ride than I had. Would this miyata 310 frame work for what I want to do? I'm ready to take the plunge.

thanks for any advice. I didn't want to start a whole new thread. Sorry if this is a hijack.
cheers Joe
Yeah, what southpawboston said... resolving the brake drop from 27" wheels to 650B wheels requires some real MacGyvering (see Sheldon Brown's Drop Bolt). The 310 Frame is a good, sturdy frame (my daughter's boyfriend used it to bike from St. Louis to Portland, fully loaded, no sweat). I've always targeted late 80's steel frames as they were after the advent of 700C wheel use as standard. Tektro R556's cover that drop no problem. As noted above, some old centre pull brakes do have longer drops, but they can be hard to find. For heavy tool movement as you need, it's almost more efficient to explore purpose built 650B bikes (custom, can be costly) or keep an eye out for a Kogswell frame and fork. They are no longer made but they are out there. Some of their forks are perfect for front loads. Touring-specific bikes (Fuji Touring, Trek 520, etc) are much more stout frames... BUT they are usually built with cantilever brakes, meaning that you can't convert to 650B unless you braze on canti bosses in a different location (see Southpaw boston's Japanese touring bike above...turned out sweet, but did need a repaint after the welding work)

I've always found that I have to be reeeeeeally patient when I do conversions... waiting to find parts that will work locally for a good price.

Holiday 76: I may get a pedal strike if I'm really swooping around a corner. I think I run 170MM cranks. For me, the bike is a town / commuting bike so I just back off on speed and watch my pedals. It's not a suicidal issue. I have to be leaning way over to hear the *bink* of pedal metal. Quoting BikeMan "The bottom bracket will come down a bit with 650B tires, you can expect a lowering of about 8mm-10mm converting from 700x23mm tires to 650x38B tires. So a good 650B conversion candidate will have a bottom bracket height of about 275mm with 23mm 700C tires. More is better, but anything lower than 270 is risky. "

Last edited by Sigurdd50; 09-02-11 at 07:09 AM.
Sigurdd50 is offline  
Old 09-02-11, 08:09 AM
  #174  
kiwigem
Fahrrad Mama
 
kiwigem's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 834
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 8 Times in 3 Posts
Would it be terribly tacky of me to mention in this thread that I have a pair of brand-new VO 650b fluted fenders that I can't use? (too wide) Sorry if it's not the appropriate place to do so. It's pretty tough to find a 650b audience locally. I'm loving everyone's conversions. Can't wait to do mine!
kiwigem is offline  
Old 09-02-11, 08:24 AM
  #175  
southpawboston
Senior Member
 
southpawboston's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somerville, MA and Catskill Mtns
Posts: 4,150
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Liked 182 Times in 89 Posts
Originally Posted by robatsu
What is the story on that taillight? It looks interesting.
The housing is a NOS Soubitez Catalux 6 that I scored from an eBay seller in France. I retrofitted it with the internals of a new B&M Seculite plus LED taillight with standlight:





The Seculite is a screaming bright taillight, and the standlight function works very nicely... maintains full brightness for about 4 minutes.


Originally Posted by -holiday76
does anyone have trouble with 175mm cranks hitting pedals on the ground in turns on 650b conversions?
Originally Posted by Sigurdd50
Quoting BikeMan "The bottom bracket will come down a bit with 650B tires, you can expect a lowering of about 8mm-10mm converting from 700x23mm tires to 650x38B tires. So a good 650B conversion candidate will have a bottom bracket height of about 275mm with 23mm 700C tires. More is better, but anything lower than 270 is risky. "
I find this to be pretty accurate. My Shogun dropped 13mm after conversion from 27" to 650B, so that's consistent with Bikeman's estimate of 8-10mm for 700c to 650B conversion. I was patient in waiting for the right frame to come around for converting. The early 80s Shogun touring frame that I ended up with had a very high bottom bracket to begin with, at 182mm. After conversion, it's about 169mm... very safe. Also, if you end up getting more BB drop than is safe, this can be somewhat mitigated by using a narrow crankset and/or narrow pedals. The TA double crankset I chose has a Q factor of only 136mm, so it's very narrow.

For 175mm cranks, I would say you need a BB height of at LEAST 265mm after conversion, or 275mm before.

Last edited by southpawboston; 09-02-11 at 08:28 AM.
southpawboston is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.