Gravel Grinders, Adventure Sport or Randonneurs – call ’em wait you like. The 650B wheel size is on the rise again and we will take a quick look at a couple of wheel and tyre options now available for the new generation of bikes fitted with 650B wheels. Click here for our own hand built 650B Adventure Wheels, hand built and in stock ready to ride.
Tyre choices
The WTB Horizon is the new kid on the scene. The WTB Horizon Road Plus tyre brings supple plus-size traction and smooth riding characteristics beyond where the pavement ends. A smooth centerline and all-weather herringbone pattern with cornering channels make anything possible, just like the size. High-volume road provides deceivingly svelte performance on pavement, with resiliency that isn’t shaken by chasing confidants down dusty dirt roads. Sneak it into a cross bike, fit it into a road frame, the overall diameter stays the same as a 700 x 28 – 30mm road tyre. Ride it on tarmac, take it to the dirt as well. Creating a new riding experience, regardless of where your exploits lead you.
WTB Horizon 650B Adventure tyres | Hand built by www.stradawheels.co.uk
The Schwalbe G-One All Round
The Schwalbe One family provides the perfect tyre for the latest gravel / adventure bike trend. The smooth rolling G-One profile and Tubeless Easy technology make it a pleasure to ride over forest paths and rolling fields. Receiving some great reviews this tyre has proved popular in 700c and 650B sizes.
Schwalbe G One tyre
Here a lovely new 650B bike by local (Sussex) designer Dom Mason with his interpretation – the Mason Bokeh.
Mason Bokeh | 650B wheels
The 650b wheel size consists of a 584mm rim (700c is 622mm) and a tyre width of between 30 and 50mm. The outside diameter is about the same as a regular 700c rim and 22mm tyre, so the rolling speed and handling characteristics will be similar to a regular road bike.
Benefits include additional cushioning from the bigger volume of air, providing a smoother ride, and a larger contact patch which increases traction and is ideal for mixed terrain and slippery roads.
One significant benefit of 650b wheel is to do with geometry. A 42mm tyre on a 650b rim provides about the same outside diameter as a 23mm tyre on a 700c wheel, so you can fit much wider tyres to the bike without requiring any drastic changes to the geometry of the frame and fork.
Cannondale Slate 650B
Cannondale Slate 650B wheels
One of the most talked about bikes of 2016, the distinctive-looking Slate sits in a new category called All-road – bikes designed to offer great performance on tarmac but with the added capability of taking on trails and forest roads too. Typical of Cannondale, the Slate doesn’t shy from innovation, with a 30mm Lefty fork designed to take the bite out of the trail, along with large volume 27.5, 40mm slicks – similar in size to a 700c road tire, albeit with a good deal more comfort. This, along with a steep head tube and short chainstay, provides an amazingly manoeuvrable yet stable platform that feels comfortable on tarmac and gravel alike.
Rim choice – the MKIII Crest 27.5 / 650B rim from Stans is light and tubeless ready. We’ve built a number of these and been very happy with the even tension and quality of the rim overall.
Stans Crest MK 3 rim | Hand built by Strada www.stradawheels.co.uk
So if you have a 650B bike on order do get in touch to discuss wheels on 01903 214956 or use the contact form to get in touch. We have a lot of experience with road disc hubs and rim choice.
