While we're looking at opinons, Breton has a different point of view, favouring 26" over 700C for touring bikes. YMMV!Virgil Walker wrote:,,,, Which pretty much accords with JH's opinions about wider 650b tyres. Hmmm.
650b: hype?
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby Thoglette » Mon Dec 07, 2015 4:31 pm
"People are worthy of respect, ideas are not." Peter Ellerton, UQ
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby Virgil Walker » Mon Dec 07, 2015 4:46 pm
Over to you ronHflyte.
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby Virgil Walker » Mon Dec 07, 2015 4:51 pm
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby grantw » Tue Dec 08, 2015 4:28 pm
one of my audax mates from Wollongong rode his new 650b on the Newie onighter- it's an Ahearn and rather nice. He said he did not have any problem keeping up with the carbon bikes. So that's 2 650bs in the illawarrarobHflyte wrote: I've seen another on a Newcastle Overnight ride.
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650b: hype?
Postby Espresso_ » Thu Dec 24, 2015 7:54 pm
Availability of 650B tyres is not an issue (for me) - Commuter Cycles in Melbourne has Grand Bois and Compass in stock regularly and you can get em easily enough on the web directly too.
E
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby singlespeedscott » Sun Jan 03, 2016 3:56 am
Now that 650b size has become an established wheel size for mountain bikes finding a spare tyres, although a knobby one, is not a huge issue.
If I was to go a 650b bike I would be investigating running discs and through axles. I know Jan is not a fan of discs on his forks, saying they effect fork performance, but there seems to be plenty of happy 650B disc bike packers on the forums. The advantage to the OP would be if he wrecked a wheel a replacement could be easily obtained at most good bike shops.
12 or so years ago I started ridding 29er mtbs and I have to say in the rough stuff the larger 700c wheel is much better for absorbing irregularities in the trail and once up to speed really maintains momentum. Given that 650b is closer to 26" in overall diametre I dare say on a really rough dirt road covered in corrugations a fat tyred 700c bike will be a lot more comfortable ride.
On paper there are pro's and cons for both wheel sizes.
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby singlespeedscott » Wed Jan 06, 2016 4:53 pm
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby Smithstreet » Wed Jan 06, 2016 10:55 pm
Some might argue that you fill two of the criteria for an Audax rider right there!Espresso_ wrote:Never used mine for a proper audax - I'm much too fat and slow for that -
E
Just kidding.. lol
Sweet looking rig though E.
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby base » Fri Nov 25, 2016 10:52 am
I'm not a hardcore rando type. I've done a couple of short Audax rides, never more than 200. But I have used 650b on them. Most of my rides are commuting and touring, and I've done significant mileage on this bike (close to 40k km) and on both the Grand Bois and Compass tyres (they are both manufactured by Panaracer).
My observations:
* they roll almost but not quite as fast as a good quality 700c x 25 racing tyre
* they almost never get punctures if you run them at the recommended pressures (low!). I think I've had a total of about 6 punctures in 9 years
* they allow you to ride on insanely rough roads in relative comfort on a non suspended bike - I've toured the country farm tracks of Thailand a few times and ridden on really rocky, rough tracks on my bike no problems
* comfort is impressive, especially on crappy Australian rural roads that are far from smooth
* never had a tyre fail
As for spares and so on, I've bought a decent stockpile of tyres that will last me a number of years. I was concerned when I first got the bike as 650b was still a new thing, but now there are loads of tyres available. If I'm going on a ride somewhere remote, I just bring a spare tyre. They're folding and only weigh about 400g.
I'm in Sydney, happy to show anyone my bike if you're interested.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGIep18MwLt/
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby find_bruce » Fri Nov 25, 2016 1:54 pm
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby Espresso_ » Fri Nov 25, 2016 8:24 pm
Having you compared Grand Bois and Compass like for like (Hetre vs Babyshoe Pass)?base wrote:Most of my rides are commuting and touring, and I've done significant mileage on this bike (close to 40k km) and on both the Grand Bois and Compass tyres (they are both manufactured by Panaracer).
I run Hetres, tubeless. However, I was planning to switch to the Compass Tyres when these are due for replacement, probably in the larger 48mm width (specifically listed as tubeless compatible).
Interested in your opinion.
E
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby base » Fri Nov 25, 2016 10:55 pm
The ultralight version of the Hetres and the BSP are very similar. Both very supple and feel great. BSP has significantly less tread though. I've gotten almost 10,000km out of one pair of Hetres!
For all round riding the standard Hetres are great. Very durable, puncture resistant and quite fast.
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby kb » Sat Nov 26, 2016 11:39 am
Sweet looking rig! Rather.. er.. jaunty saddle tilt but I understand that's not uncommon with tensioned leather?base wrote: I'm in Sydney, happy to show anyone my bike if you're interested.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGIep18MwLt/
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby base » Sat Nov 26, 2016 11:54 am
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby Bendo » Fri Jan 27, 2017 5:43 pm
I just shared my new ride on the retro thread, but it probably belongs here. viewtopic.php?f=23&t=530&start=2700#p1388321
Not ridden Audax but have done lots of country gravel on 650b and commute daily. I concur with @base on his description of the benefits of 650b. Not hype at all IMHO. b
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby base » Fri Jan 27, 2017 7:11 pm
Bendo, awesome looking bike yourself, but I would say thatBendo wrote:@base: that's a lovely bike. I've been to I's Bicycle in Kyoto and I know what you mean about jaw-dropping. I think during the 80s and early 90s when they had the world's biggest economy they bought up a lot of nice bikes (and parts). When I was there, aside from all the Singers, Herses and Routens, the thing that caught my eye was the spectacular fillet brazed, aluminium-framed Barra randonneuse from the 1940s. I think it's price tag was about AUD10,000.
I just shared my new ride on the retro thread, but it probably belongs here. viewtopic.php?f=23&t=530&start=2700#p1388321
Not ridden Audax but have done lots of country gravel on 650b and commute daily. I concur with @base on his description of the benefits of 650b. Not hype at all IMHO. b
Are they brazed on Mafac Raids? I'm thinking of going to Toei for a camping bike version of my bike. It would be a copy pretty much but with brazed on centre pulls and a removable front low rider and saddle bag racks.
Enjoy your Toei! Mine has grown on me over the years. I hardly ride any other bike these days.
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby Bendo » Fri Jan 27, 2017 8:04 pm
I highly recommend getting a Toei. A campeur would probably have heavier weight tubing than a randonneur, depending on what loads you would carry. If you follow Jan Heine's blog, you'll see he has a lovely Alex SInger campeur than also has diagonal down tubes like a mixte in addition to the top tube, and not one but two sets of rear brakes.
How is your Japanese though? Yamada san speaks no English, and you have to visit the factory to order. b
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby base » Fri Jan 27, 2017 11:15 pm
I've already used my bike as a camper using a Tubus low rider and nitto saddlebag rack clamped on and that frame is Kaisei 019 so I know it's stiff enough for my light weight and usual loads.Bendo wrote:They are indeed Raids with dedicated braze-ons, although both Compass and Grand Bois do their own versions now. Raids are easily the most expensive Mafac brake you can hunt for.
I highly recommend getting a Toei. A campeur would probably have heavier weight tubing than a randonneur, depending on what loads you would carry. If you follow Jan Heine's blog, you'll see he has a lovely Alex SInger campeur than also has diagonal down tubes like a mixte in addition to the top tube, and not one but two sets of rear brakes.
How is your Japanese though? Yamada san speaks no English, and you have to visit the factory to order. b
Toei made the Grand Bois frame so they already have the frame specs. I've got a couple of friends in Japan who can help with interpreting...
I've met the guys a couple of times before. Very nice folks.
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby Bendo » Sat Jan 28, 2017 12:40 am
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby base » Sat Jan 28, 2017 9:20 am
I also remove the fork when I'm packing the bike in a box for airline travel as it keeps the fork/wheel/mudguard all in one piece with less likelihood of damage.
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby robHflyte » Sat Jan 28, 2017 11:18 am
enjoying my 650b Audax, commute, gravel, road bike.
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby Thoglette » Sat Jan 28, 2017 2:36 pm
"People are worthy of respect, ideas are not." Peter Ellerton, UQ
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby Bendo » Sun Jan 29, 2017 7:54 am
Kumo, lovely! Looks like internal wiring as well. Really nice bike. One thing I've always wanted to ask a Kumo rando owner is does the bike have toe overlap?robHflyte wrote:https://www.flickr.com/photos/roberthoehne/32437632651
enjoying my 650b Audax, commute, gravel, road bike.
You've summed it up IMO: gravel, road, Audax, commute, they do it all well! b
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Re: 650b: hype?
Postby robHflyte » Sun Jan 29, 2017 10:10 am
I've been out on a group ride with the rando, stuck with the group just fine. Main comment is "jeez you'd be fast on a modern bike", I usually reply with jeez you'd be comfortable on a bike like this. They call it the rolling lounge chair.
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