[Closed] 650b curious on 700c gravel/whatever it's called bike. Anybody got 650b wheels?

I do, but too far away sorry. What frame have you got?

Also curious but going for the "wedge the biggest possible 700c tyre in" approach first.

I was in the same dilemma, ending up buying the cheapest set I could, trying it out, didn't get on with them, so sold them on again. I think it cost me about a tenner to try them.

Another one not convinced. Prefer some 42's crammed in my Rove ST.

I do too but in Tonbridge. Got a set of hope xc with some 2.1 tyres on them.

But draggy tbh. But think I should try something a bit more ‘gravelly’.

The beauty of the ones I chose is that I can also stick them in my ‘proper bike’ 🙂

My bike is set up with 650b/42 at the moment but I have run it with 2.1" Thunder Burts with no problems. send me a message and we can try and meet up next week? I'm west London so not too far away...

Ahem.
https://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/2474672/

Thanks all

Trailwagger - It's a Seven Evergreen, and was made for 38mm on 700c. Because it's a custom frame though, there isn't any standard guidance.

aP - I'll do that.

ibnchris - they will only be used off road, but interested to understand your thoughts on actual using them. Draggy because of the tyre choice or does the whole setup feel wrong?

scruff - unfortunately I need a 12mm front. It would be just too easy if the road standard matched the offload standard to enable easy swapping of wheels wouldn't it?!

We're both running 650b with Gravelking SK 47mm tyres. Indeed her wheels match your desired spec. (but we're oop northish)

Neither of us have ridden 700C to compare, but doing a reliabilty trial with a mate on a crosser with 700C Gravelkings, it was interesting to note that we freewheeled on tarmac at almost exactly the same rate (him down on the drops, I'm on flat bars). Off road (Peaks stuff) I was WAAAY faster descending. Partly that's being able to ride it more like a mountainbike, but the extra volume definitely makes for a less eyeball rattling ride over the rougher stuff.

I'm down the road in Haslemere and have a set to that axle spec fitted with 650x1.95 gravelking SK's

How wide are the 700c tyres you've got on at the moment and what's the clearance like?

I was worried about my Marin Gestalt 2, but I'm running WTB Byways fine with decent clearance.

Had 32mm schwalbes on before. Definitely worth having a look at YouTube too I found a vid of a guy who had converted my bike, so that helped make my decision.

Often wondered if 2.0 XC tyres might fit...

Pretty obviously it felt like a very different bike. I didn’t enjoy the road bits on it at all. But once I hit the byways and bridleways it all felt worthwhile. Hoping when I change tyres I’ll get the dream combo...

I've currently got Bruce Gordon Rock'n'Road 650b/42 on - they roll pretty well on the road, and hook up pretty well off road.

I've uhmed and ahhed about this, and whether to get some 650 wheels as well. But my bike (Pickenflick) has clearance for 700x47 tyres (Specialized Trigger Sport). They're quite a heavy tyre, and seemed quite draggy, so apart from being slightly better on choppy/stony descents, I actually prefer the 700x42 Continental AT Ride I've been running before, and have now switched back to, which are better all round for 95% of the riding I do.

I really want to get a set of lighter wheels, but think I'm going to stick with 700c rather than 650.

I’m running 650b on my Salsa Vaya and love them with Soma Cazadero 42’s. But having a set of 700c wheels built and intend to run Specialized Roubaix tubeless on them for fast tarmac only days. Looking forward to a comparison in the two

Did two longish tours, sorry, gravel bikepacking trips this year. Wild about argyle 1000kms on 700c Nano 40's and Torino Nice Rally 700kms on 650b WTB byways. Cant honestly say there was much difference. The 650b Byways were a fraction more "supple" (bro) on the more rocky stuff but really not much in it as the Nanos coped just as well and also were quicker on smoother stuff, so sold the 650b wheels /tyres. Will use 700c x 45 tyres next year.

Have been riding 700c Panracer Gravel King SKs 43s recently and think they are ace, with the bigger wheel diameter, just as voluminous as a byway, as fast rolling and slightly better in the rough.

We did TuscanyRoads on 650b/48mm Compass tyres which were good, but I think that the sweet spot of tyre size is somewhere around 42mm. The great thing about the big tyres is that it makes the bike feel really planted and especially when coming off big hills (700-800m descent) on back roads they eat potholes and surface irregularities.

IVE been riding a exploro with maxxis ikon 2.1 on rear and a maxxis forecaster 2.2 on the front. So much fun to ride, do cliff paths and technical stuff on it just a little slower but brings a whole new feeling to the riding I do on a Mtb. I Also go on road club rides with it and it’s bribe with tyres pumped up.

In the spirit of STW where everyone recommends their own set up, I run 700c Schwalbe G Ones on Pacenti rims for big road rides. Off road, they are really good considering their tiny nobbles. If the going is a bit more off road where I need more grip then I run a set of Bruce Gordon Rock and Roads in a 43c. They are brilliant but your frame will need a lot of clearance for them as they are quite a meaty tyre.

When I did the Veneto Trail in September, I opted for XT pre built 650b wheels with Schwalbe Racing Ralph's (2.1 at the back and 2.35 at the front). They were great right up until I rode them on limestone trails where I suffered multiple punctures that the tubeless wouldn't seal. I ended up buying a tubeless Vittoria tyre for the back which had a big gash in the carcass. For bikepacking, I appreciated the extra comfort and grip off road while they still rolled along nicely.

Given the choice, I like 700c more. The G Ones are just so fast rolling and comfortable that it is hard to see past them most of the time. However, for bikepacking, I like the extra comfort of the 650b tyres.

Hope this helps?

Cheers

Sanny