Twenty Seven and a Half Inches . Com?
March 3rd, 2007 by Guitar TedThe North American Handmade Bicycle Show is taking place this weekend and one of the bigger surprises was the Kirk Pacenti built 650B wheeled bicycle. (A discussion on the bike can be found here)
While 650B, a wheel size popularized after World War II by French touring and randonee bicycle builders, has been seen off road before, (Tom Ritchey, Raleigh), this new entry has some surprising details. For one, it appears to have Cane Creek rims and what would appear to be WTB Nanoraptor tires. These are parts that would normally require a huge investment into to make a reality, so if this is the case, it might be safe to say we’ll be seeing a few more of these 650B mtb’s around!
Why 650B? Well, there are all sorts of good reasons for the wheel size on road, but for off road I can not say with certainty what the intentions are here. It is worth noting that Rivendell Bicycles has been toying with the 650B platform for off roading lately too. Perhaps there are reasonings that these companies have, but I offer my take for your approval.
It first must be said that the 650B wheel size for off road would probably be a dead issue if it weren’t for the 29″er. I say this not out of arrogance, but because I feel alot of what we’re going to hear about 650B for mountain bikes is going to be in answer to criticisms about 29 inch wheels. 650B is a bit smaller, so theoretically a stronger wheel will result that is a bit lighter and spins up faster. However; it is a bit bigger than a 26″er, thus exhibiting some of the positives of the 29″er for less of a penalty. Whether or not you buy into any or all of that, I’m betting that is close to the mark.
What’s really interesting is the “big name” parts already seen for 650B in Cane Creek, WTB (?) and a promised tread from current 650B tire maker Panaracer. It took years of hagling and arm twisting to get 29″er stuff off the ground, and now the “sibling” gets theirs right away!
Will this ever take off? I don’t know but it certainly doesn’t make the choice for the average mountain biker any easier. Will it be enough of a difference over 26″ers to make the leap? Will it only serve to confuse consumers? Lot’s of questions without any good answers just yet.
One thing is for sure: It’s a bike, so it’s probably fun to ride.
What is RSS?
Get our articles in your inbox:
is this some sort of sick joke? I mean how many options does the consumer need 26er 96er and 29er! when is gonna end?
oh and not to mention that crazy 36er!
doug bernard: I think you’ve hit upon one the main reasons that this won’t get too far. The consumers won’t be able to choose what is best and who wants to invest in three different wheel standards to find out?
Another point is that alot of folks are not going to see a discernable difference between 26″ers and 650B. They will have a hard time feeling a big difference as well. This is one of the reasons that 29″ers have taken off. Visually and experientialy they have a very discernable difference from 26″ers.
The big nail in the coffin, so to speak, will be the reluctance on the part of most manufacturers to jump on board with another standard. More SKU’s are not what most companies are looking for. They want to trim, and streamline their offerings to cut costs and to avoid having product sit on dealers floors unsold. You already see this with 29″ers. Yes, companies are introducing 29″ers in their lines, but usually they are not at odds with an already similarly spec’ed 26″er to avoid competing against themselves. Fisher being a notable exception here.
What I see is another niche that custom builders can offer that the bigger manufacturers and companies can’t/ will not offer. Already we see a move of custom builders away from a total reliance on 29″ers to commuters, and to some degree fixies. This 650B standard is another way for them to garner more business and diversify at the same time.
It’s exactly 1 inch larger than 26″. Hurray.
I hear on MTBR the tires are one-offs made from 26″ tires. If someone could repeat that for my favorite 26″ treads to 29″, or 36″ even…
I think it’s pretty silly and unneccesary. In short it won’t fly. There is no need for it.
It seems silly to make a mountainbike with a wheel size that no mountain bike tires exist. Grant will be doing a reveiw of his own product(huh) in DirtRag magazine if you would like to hear how its the best thing since friction shifting. If you want to gain entrance into the compound in Walnut Grove you better be wearing wool and go along with the progam.
funny to hear that kind of talk from 29er dudes.
Also funny that I saw that bike @ the show and since it had CC wheels and nanos I didn’t even look twice at it. There was much more interesting stuff to see.
-M
I’ve been looking into getting a 29er for awhile now, but the small bikes with a low standover clearance (28″) are a compromise for the bikebuilder to get the bike to fit…not necessarily properly. I hope the 650b takes off and I think it will handle the tight stuffa a lot better than a 29er. It’s not like this is new technology.
Parabolic skis were a laughing matter back before snowboards ever came around, but after the popularity of the snowboard, ski manufacturers had to look back and think twice. Now jsut about everyone rides a parabolic ski in the local hills because they are so much easier to ride and ejoyable.
The standover difference, all else being the same, it worth half the wheel size difference. 650B will have 3/4″ lower standover, that’s all. And only that much if the shortest-workable head tube length is used, as is supposed with 29″ if indeed standover is a problem.
Also, you’re making it sound like 29″ers have issues with tight stuff? What bike are you using as the bench mark? Especially from 2008 on, there’s no excuse for not making a well-fitting 29″er with excellent tight stuff handling, if that’s an objective. Someone listened, and forks and frame will be designed differently. 650B is also following this “new” long-offset school, it seems.
Couple of my friends have a Vassago Jaberwocky and I almost bought one, because of the amount of fun they are having on their steeds. But Kevin, who happens to be the yournger brother of the Vassago company owner talked me out of it because the sizing wasn’t right. I also looked at Fisher’s and Haro’s. I wouldn’t say the 29′ers have a problem with tight stuff, but they are not as nimble or responsive in some of the trails that I ride.
I’m only going by what my buddies are telling me. These guys ride just about every single day and their opinions are very objective. They don’t want me to spend money on something that will not work for me. I stand 5′6″ with 28″ inseam….if you have any suggestions I’m all ears!
Currently, the 17″ VooDoo Dambala might be for you. Bit tall, bit long, you decide. 72º head tube angle makes it quick. Wait for the 51mm offset 80mm Reba’s, and the bike will ride like a scalpel.
But really, the slightly slacker HTA Small sized bikes out there should all be well quick enough for you with tha 51mm offset fork. Get a lightweight front wheel/tire, and if the front still feels slow, start working the weights.
29″ers are driven actively, not passively. That’s where one can get a real edge. Might also make for the well documented fun factor. More driving, less correcting.
my arms aren’t long enough nor my torso for a 22.6″ top tube.
Been riding my cross bike up Cholla down Mathis, up to the Flag at the Luge and back down to Modjeska grade, but on tight corners, my foot always hits the front tire. I know a lot about being active and aggressive, but bottom line I want someting that fits. I still like the idea of the 650B.
was wondering if anyone ever did a 29er front 650b in the rear.
any thoughts?
I have a 29er and love it, and i also have a 69er and equally love it they both have different characteristics but i want to experament with the 650b in the rear.
The 69er is a fetish fixation single speed does anyone have any ideas about fit here is the proposed build list
Velocity blunt 650b rim
pacenti 650b tire
singlespeed hub maybe dmr not too expensive yet tough!
At the moment im running 34 front 16 rear what would the 650b set up need to remail the same ratio.
You guys rule i love the crooked cog network…………
What happen to my post? Can you only report positive feedback on the 29″ wheels in order to stay on this site?
GRRR: Problems? E-mail us at the diggers@twentynineinches.com addy and we can take it from there. I haven’t seen a post on here from anyone for some time now.