650B is a wheel size smaller than "road" and bigger than "mountain" bike wheels. It was widely used on French cyclo-touring and randonneuring bikes in 30's-50's. In the last few years people who value useful, versatile bikes started to convert road bikes that only have frames clearances for narrow tires into 650B bikes. The smaller rim size allows the use of larger tires and fenders better suited for everyday, everywhere riding. Nothing affects what your bike can do more than the tires. 650B conversions turn a fragile road bike suited for dry, smooth roads into a bike quick and nimble, but robust enough to handle dirt, gravel, caliche, poorly maintained pavement and light singletrack.

We sell two framesets designed for the 650B wheel size (Kogswell P/R and Rivendell Bleriot), and we sell many 650B components--rims, wheels, tires, and long-reach brakes for conversions. We have P/R and Bleriot floor models, come by to take one (or both) for a ride.

Sun CR-18 rims (36H only) $30

Tektro R556 long reach dual pivot sidepulls $70

Velocity Synergy rims (32H or 36H) $55

Panaracer Col de la Vie tires 38-584 $23 each

Panaracer Nifty Swifty tires 34-584 $33 each

Panaracer Fatty Rumpkin tires 40-584 $30 each

Pyramid Gumwall 650b tire $10 each

Pyramid Blackwall 650B tire $12 each

Economy wheelset (CR-18 rims and Tiagra, Kogswell P/R, or similarly priced hubs $200

Same wheelset with Synergy rims $250

CR-18 rims with 105 hubs $235

Synergy rims with 105 hubs $285

Synergy rim with Shimano DH-3N71 generator hub $190

Synergy rim with Schmidt generator hub $290