Hey all!
I bought a titanium gravel bike a few years ago. I love it but got just before the trend for wider and wider tyres came in, so the largest tyre it can take is 42mm. And 42mm tyres are hard to find.
I have a pair of 650b wheels (https://www.huntbikewheels.com/products/hunt-650b-adventure-sport-disc-wheelset) that currently have some big tread 50mm tyres on them.
I was wondering how they'd do with something racier for some gravel racing next year (Dirty Reiver, Gralloch, UCI Wales, Nationals).
New tyres on the 650b wheels would obviously be a lot cheaper than a new bike!
How do you think 650b wheels would compare ot 700 for racing?
And what 650b tyre would you suggest around 50mm?
Thanks!
by distancedop
7 Comments
just keep in mind your bb will lower so if you’re running 175mm cranks your risk of pedal strikes on rocks is going up.
I like my 650b wheels with 50mm, but don’t focus on racing. Pirelli Cinturato™ M Classic is one of my tires of choice.
It seems that the market is moving away from this. I have a set of the Mason x Hunt 650b wheels for my Open U.P. They are the cheapest wheels I own and I love them. I just did a gravel race in them with 2.1 Thunder Burts. Amazing to ride. I stayed in a fast group fine on smooth sections and dropped people when it got rough. I am looking for a higher end 650b wheelset but have not seen anything tempting yet and fear that it no one will make it.
I have those wheels and like them a lot, currently have Pathfinders mounted that measure at 48mm. I don’t ride competitively but don’t see why 650b would be an issue. If anything wider tires with more volume are a plus.
first 650b thought is 2.1” thunder burt
I think unless you are close to finishing towards the top of the races you are entering you will be happy continuing to work with what you have. Unless you’re at the very front you will likely finish ahead of people with way better kit and also behind people with way worse kit. The mid pack is more about your individual fitness.
I have Elite 650b wheels with 2.2 RaceKings on my 3T Exploro Ultra and I love it. This bike also only fits like 46mm with 700c. But I don’t race so the comfort is m top priority.
650b imo is the better 48-2.25 wheel size for a racier gravel bike geo. Especially on sizes smaller than large or XL. Trying to shove 29 2.25 into gravel frames causes a lot of geometry changes to be made. Also bigger wheels and tires are heavier