My 650b Experiment

pixychick

pixychick

JORBA: Ringwood
JORBA.ORG
I love my 26" wheeled full suspension bikes that fit me really well. I also like my 29er steel hard tail, but have not been too happy with fit choices for 29er full suspension. Eventually more companies will size them down a bit, but for now, choices are very limited and do not favor short SO height.

So, I just purchased a 650b front wheel and have been trying it on my 26 inch full suspension bikes and find that it fits and handles pretty good with both a Fox Float and Talas. The 650b does not fit in the rear with either of my bikes with a Kenda Nevegal 2.1. (Titus X and Moto-lite)

I first tried it without adjusting the stem and I felt very off balanced being higher up in the front, so I adjusted the handlebar height by either swapping spacers or going negative with the stem, and it felt good. Very minimal difference in head angle noticed. I also noticed that 650b with 2.3 tire was similar in clearance to a 26" wheel with the 2.4 maxis tire that I had on before.

I know for anyone big, the 650b option may seem like a waste, but it certainly could be an option for those with short legs and who have already searched hard to finally find a great fitting full suspension bike and are not willing to give that up. NoTubes makes some pretty affordable wheels in 650b.

If anyone else has tried some combos, please post up results.
 
I also have a 650B front wheel that I use on an old Merlin hardtail converted to ss. I like the way it slackened the Merlin head angle a bit, and I like the bigger front wheel. I also run it on my motolite which has a talus fork, and like it there as well.

I had a talus on the merlin too, but with the 650B it was too slack, so I put an 80mm fox fork on instead and it is perfect with the 650B...
 
pixychick said:
I love my 26" wheeled full suspension bikes that fit me really well. I also like my 29er steel hard tail, but have not been too happy with fit choices for 29er full suspension. Eventually more companies will size them down a bit, but for now, choices are very limited and do not favor short SO height.

So, I just purchased a 650b front wheel and have been trying it on my 26 inch full suspension bikes and find that it fits and handles pretty good with both a Fox Float and Talas. The 650b does not fit in the rear with either of my bikes with a Kenda Nevegal 2.1. (Titus X and Moto-lite)

I first tried it without adjusting the stem and I felt very off balanced being higher up in the front, so I adjusted the handlebar height by either swapping spacers or going negative with the stem, and it felt good. Very minimal difference in head angle noticed. I also noticed that 650b with 2.3 tire was similar in clearance to a 26" wheel with the 2.4 maxis tire that I had on before.

I know for anyone big, the 650b option may seem like a waste, but it certainly could be an option for those with short legs and who have already searched hard to finally find a great fitting full suspension bike and are not willing to give that up. NoTubes makes some pretty affordable wheels in 650b.

If anyone else has tried some combos, please post up results.
Click to expand...

Was looking at a Cove Handjob Hardtail about a year ago...the guy at Cove said that he was running 1.95 tires with 27.5 rims (650b). He said the bike was awesome and no problems with tire clearance front or rear as long as the tire size was 1.95. I'm not a fan of the 29er...never have ridden one..but I think just buy looking at one you can tell there is two much gearth for northeast singletrack...I do hope the 29er fades into oblivion and the 650b stay for good🙂
 
I never had the opportunity to demo a 650B.
Pretty sure I'm in the "size"catagory to ride one.
Can't imagine feeling balanced if I'm higher in the front.
Anyway. . good for u for trying the 650b out & reminding us about this option.
 
the final nail in the coffin

650B is great for just about anyone.

If you are happy as a clam on 29, than I doubt you would go back. BUT if you have tried 29ers and felt a bit overwhelmed by the largr wheels, the 650b will make you smile.

Personally I think it offeres the best of both 26 & 29 and leaves little to be desired.

I am a 29er guy for sure, but a DH stlye 650b bike has my name on it.
 
I'd love to see what a 650 FS bike has to offer to replace my Top Fuel. According to Strava the mileage score is 363 Misfit, 25 Top Fuel. The Misfit was in the shop for 10 days. Pretty obvious where I'm at.
 
I've been following the 650b thing for a bit and one fact stands out. A 26x2.35 is extremely close in size to a 650b 2.1. I finally found some as-measured specs, and axle to top of tread on a Kenda Nevegal 26-2.35 is 341mm, vs 348mm for a 27.5x2.1 (which most conversions on a stock 26" bike would use to clear the forks). Yes, you double that number, as the only spec I can find was axle to tread, but honestly that's not all that much IMHO, and I'd bet not many everyday riders could notice it.

I just see it as hard to justify the cost of a new wheelset or front wheel when the actual numbers aren't all that much different. A purpose built 27.5 bike may have advantages but i don't see the 650b conversion as cost effective. Considering you can throw a set of 26-2.35 on and be awfully close.

I used Nevegals as control since they make all the mentioned sizes.

Yes, you can argue a 27.5-2.35 is a bigger difference but now you're actually closing in on 29er territory.

Reference: http://mtbtires.com/site2/tire-specs/48-kenda/53-kenda-tire-specs
 
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extremedave said:
I've been following the 650b thing for a bit and one fact stands out. A 26x2.35 is extremely close in size to a 650b 2.1. I finally found some as-measured specs, and axle to top of tread on a Kenda Nevegal 26-2.35 is 341mm, vs 348mm for a 27.5x2.1 (which most conversions on a stock 26" bike would use to clear the forks). Yes, you double that number, as the only spec I can find was axle to tread, but honestly that's not all that much IMHO, and I'd bet not many everyday riders could notice it.

I just see it as hard to justify the cost of a new wheelset or front wheel when the actual numbers aren't all that much different. A purpose built 27.5 bike may have advantages but i don't see the 650b conversion as cost effective. Considering you can throw a set of 26-2.35 on and be awfully close.

I used Nevegals as control since they make all the mentioned sizes.

Yes, you can argue a 27.5-2.35 is a bigger difference but now you're actually closing in on 29er territory.

Reference: http://mtbtires.com/site2/tire-specs/48-kenda/53-kenda-tire-specs
Click to expand...

Some good info here and I found similar results. On my Moto-lite I had a super big Maxis 2.4 on my 26" wheel for super-d and found the height similar to the Kenda 2.35 with 650b. Perhaps it is not worth the switch. However on my X the 650b felt a bit more stable in front going to a bigger wheel with similar size tire. I have a wolverine I would like to try, but it keeps blowing off the rim 🙁.
 
I just have to add 26x2.4 and 2650x2.35 may be comparable in size but ride quality and feedback are not the same. Also, considering very soon and likely there will be a 650 wider than 2.4... Then that argument can't be made anymore. I'll be thankful for that. They just aren't the same.

That being said, 650 frames are still astronomically expensive. I'll have to wait a couple years on the used market or the big 3 to step it up. I'm definitely a believer but I'm a rider and I'm happy riding 26 converted to 650b or just 26 and 9speed at half the price 😀
 
I was going to ask about 650b frames/bikes...

I know Norco has one out already...other manufacturers? will "big" manufacturers be putting 650s out? I'm a little behind on the reading...curious
 
skiphreaknj said:
I was going to ask about 650b frames/bikes...

I know Norco has one out already...other manufacturers? will "big" manufacturers be putting 650s out? I'm a little behind on the reading...curious
Click to expand...

I think Jamis is in on the 650B thing.
 
skiphreaknj said:
I was going to ask about 650b frames/bikes...

I know Norco has one out already...other manufacturers? will "big" manufacturers be putting 650s out? I'm a little behind on the reading...curious
Click to expand...

In about a year every Mfger will have one
 
jdog said:
In about a year every Mfger will have one
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Maybe they'll be a small upstart company called 650er Bikes next year. Seriously though, I was Suprised that Trek didn't do something this year considering how many new models they introduced.
 
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