# For people who ask. "What bike...why 650b..."
**URL:** https://fixed.org.au/t/for-people-who-ask-what-bike-why-650b/158417
**Category:** Help
**Created:** [April 27, 2021, 7:02am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/for-people-who-ask-what-bike-why-650b/158417 "2021-04-27T07:02:28Z")
**Posts on this page:** 12
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Sh0rtsie](https://fixed.org.au/u/Sh0rtsie)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2021, 7:02am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/for-people-who-ask-what-bike-why-650b/158417/1 "2021-04-27T07:02:28Z")
I get mates asking about what bike they should buy all the time, usually these days its about grav bikes.
I got sick of explaining 650b to them, so i made a diagram that i send them. Like a form letter, as soon as the subject comes up. Here tis.
Yeah its not crazy accurate. But it gets the idea across.
---
### Author:  [@ryanryanryan](https://fixed.org.au/u/ryanryanryan)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2021, 7:48am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/for-people-who-ask-what-bike-why-650b/158417/2 "2021-04-27T07:48:56Z")
I never really _got_ 650B and never really bothered to look into it either. This is stupid simple and makes a lot of sense. Thank you!
---
### Author:  [@diddy](https://fixed.org.au/u/diddy)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2021, 10:02am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/for-people-who-ask-what-bike-why-650b/158417/3 "2021-04-27T10:02:51Z")
It’s also not often a choice, as it depends on clearance. If you want to run bigger tyres (45mm+), 650B is often the only option. Not many frames take 50mm 700s.
---
### Author:  [@WestToastPete](https://fixed.org.au/u/WestToastPete)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2021, 10:40am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/for-people-who-ask-what-bike-why-650b/158417/4 "2021-04-27T10:40:17Z")
It makes so much sense when you see it like that eh
I have a bit of a spiel I’ve been forwarding to people when they ask me about electric bikes. It’s not as simple as this diagram, but it’s good to not have to write the same thing over and over
---
### Author:  [@Sh0rtsie](https://fixed.org.au/u/Sh0rtsie)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2021, 10:57am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/for-people-who-ask-what-bike-why-650b/158417/5 "2021-04-27T10:57:35Z")
Ive really opened myself up to some "well akshuley"s, so to clarify, its not totally accurate. Like i think its equivalent to a
42mm tyre. And the weight savings are well under 500g but still.
Another bonus is that they are a bit stiffer/stronger
Big tyres on 700c can feel like you are riding a horse.
---
### Author:  [@WestToastPete](https://fixed.org.au/u/WestToastPete)
#### Post date: [April 27, 2021, 12:30pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/for-people-who-ask-what-bike-why-650b/158417/6 "2021-04-27T12:30:15Z")
Here are the two bikes I ride most of the time these days (for fun, not for commuting)
I posted about the Look recently [here](https://fixed.org.au/t/look-585-revival/158378)
As a pair they’re a reasonable example of what this 650b thing is all about, but they’re very different bikes in other ways. I’ve ridden them both on the same loops a few times now and although they feel very different with totally different SensationsTM, there’s not a lot in them speed wise. The Look has surprised me with its comfort on paved roads over \<4hrs too.
But 650b opens up all sorts of rougher surfaces, and over longer distances. I’d much rather be on it for a whole day or more (I think. I haven’t ridden the Look that far to be fair).
This isn’t a thorough analysis with a strong answer. Just my thoughts
Incidentally, I replaced the 700c x 32mm wheel on the back of my commuter with a 650b x 55mm and it’s very comfy.
---
### Author:  [@mechkbfan](https://fixed.org.au/u/mechkbfan)
#### Post date: [November 26, 2021, 10:13pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/for-people-who-ask-what-bike-why-650b/158417/7 "2021-11-26T22:13:00Z")
Where do you find 650b rims suited to rim brakes? I’m super keen to convert but can’t find any
---
### Author:  [@Zach](https://fixed.org.au/u/Zach)
#### Post date: [November 26, 2021, 11:05pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/for-people-who-ask-what-bike-why-650b/158417/8 "2021-11-26T23:05:56Z")
Welcome, what keyboards do you have?
---
### Author:  [@HeavyMetalCyclist](https://fixed.org.au/u/HeavyMetalCyclist)
#### Post date: [November 27, 2021, 12:33am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/for-people-who-ask-what-bike-why-650b/158417/9 "2021-11-27T00:33:56Z")
linear gang or nah?
---
### Author:  [@mechkbfan](https://fixed.org.au/u/mechkbfan)
#### Post date: [November 27, 2021, 1:20am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/for-people-who-ask-what-bike-why-650b/158417/10 "2021-11-27T01:20:18Z")
Cheers, I’ve been through a few
Keyboards in use
- Lily 58 with Gazzew low profile blues (home)
- Moonlander with Zealios v2 (work)
- Dumang DK6 ergo with holy pandas (experiment with layouts)
- Ergodox EZ with Kailh coppers (spare board, should sell it)
Keyboards to build / soon to buy
- Pinky 4 with creams (see if I like linear)
- Severed Duck 36 with choc blues (waiting for group buy to start)
Keyboards previously owned
- Ultimate Hacking Keyboard (gave to friend)
- Dygma Raise (sold to workmate)
But anyway, this discussion would probably be best in it’s own thread 🙂
For 650B, I own some VO Grand Cru long reach brakes. I had been keen on converting a roadie to them but can’t find any 650b rims. Found some ages ago on AliExpress for about $400 or so but now I can’t.
I could have sworn that some places the bits to build them yourself, but looks like stock is out…
---
### Author:  [@MikeD](https://fixed.org.au/u/MikeD)
#### Post date: [November 27, 2021, 9:41pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/for-people-who-ask-what-bike-why-650b/158417/11 "2021-11-27T21:41:12Z")
650b rim brake rims:
> **[36H](https://www.bicyclepartswholesale.com.au/category/5479-36h)**
>
> View our range of products in 36H. These include RIM 650B" (27.5) MX , Black ETRTO 584 x 17C 36H single Eyelet with CNC option, MSW, A/V, BLACK (ERD-555), RIM 650B" (27.5) TRUCKY-40 , 36h Black D/w Alloy Rim DISC RIM , F/v . (584 x 40 x 21H)...
Any local bike shop can get you some of these, ain’t fancy or tubeless thou. Shops can also get that company to supply a whole wheel if you like.
Otherwise, velo orange rims? Or check what Yarn Hein is selling
[https://www.renehersecycles.com/product-category/components/rims/](https://www.renehersecycles.com/product-category/components/rims/)
---
### Author:  [@mechkbfan](https://fixed.org.au/u/mechkbfan)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2021, 12:35am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/for-people-who-ask-what-bike-why-650b/158417/12 "2021-11-28T00:35:47Z")
Amazing. Didn’t know that website exited, as no ones mentioned it to me before or come up on Google
Those VO Belgium are perfect. 21mm internal. Wanted to run 32mm GP5000’s