650B "Race" Bike

[Kevin McGrew]

Has anyone had a custom bike built around the 650x38mm tire size to be used like a standard road race bike?  Basically for fast/competitive road riding/racing.

Similar to this conversion:

http://www.bikeman.com/bikeman-blogs/650blog/1773-2007-trek-pilot-21-650b-conversion

-rim brakes - either Tektro long reach or possibly TRP mini V's.

-no fenders, bags, etc.

-preferably steel frame and fork for maximum ride quality.

I have various conversions of old road and modern cross bikes which I use for all kinds of riding.  Having been spoiled by the high volume 650B ride going back to 700x25c for fast/competitive road riding is not going to happen.   I found my conversion of a 80's Centurion Elite RS to 650x38 to be one of the most versatile and fun bikes for anything from smooth dirt up to criterium training.  I'm looking a modern version of that conversion.

Thanks,

Kevin

[William Lindsay]

Many people have bought custom frames from Jeff Lyon, patterned after the 650b race bike he built for a Bicycle Quarterly test.

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito Ca

[Greg Achtem]

http://www.englishcycles.com/custombikes/johns-650b-road/

Why are you stopping at 38 for tire width?

And William, didn't Jan walk back the term "race bike" to "performance bike" sometime between the magazine article and the blog post? I expect most folks would balk at calling a steel frame and fork that is fenderable and rackable a race bike no matter how narrow minded (or just uninformed).

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[Max]

These are my 650b bikes... one for commuting (Trek 400 conversion) and one for weekend / fun rides (Ebisu All-arounder 650b native) – shown in their fender-less states. I can run up to 38mm tires in the Trek and up to 42mm tires in the Ebisu, both with fenders. I think for now I'm going to leave the fenders on the Trek and run the Ebisu fenderless, 'cos it's so much fun on the dirt and broken pavement around here... smooth pavement, too! 

The wheels on the Ebisu are fairly light, the tires are great, so it feels very lively. The Trek is - surprisingly - a *very* nice riding bike and a great candidate for conversion. I've done about 50 miles on it so far after building up the frame and am very pleasantly surprised. 

- Max

[Greg Achtem]

Oh, for what it's worth, the John in the English Cycles link is (or was) a member here. That's how the English came to my attention.

[Steve Chan]

     I think the BQ bikes he made were still fendered.

    I had Jeff build me a fenderless, rackless 650b "race" bike for fair weather riding. The shortest he could get the chainstays while still fitting babyshoe pass tires comfortably was 415mm.

[Igor Belopolsky]

where are the photos?

On Friday, June 23, 2017 at 1:48:17 PM UTC-4, Steve Chan wrote:

     I think the BQ bikes he made were still fendered.

    I had Jeff build me a fenderless, rackless 650b "race" bike for fair weather riding. The shortest he could get the chainstays while still fitting babyshoe pass tires comfortably was 415mm.

On Jun 23, 2017 10:11 AM, "William Lindsay" <tape...@gmail.com> wrote:

Many people have bought custom frames from Jeff Lyon, patterned after the 650b race bike he built for a Bicycle Quarterly test.

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito Ca

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[Steve Park]

Check out BishopBikes.  https://www.flickr.com/photos/bishopbikes/

[Steve Chan]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/95526590@N00/albums/72157657020089924

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[Kevin McGrew]

Thanks all for the quick replies.   That Red/Silver Bishop is spot on what I'm looking for.  Hard to tell from the pic what brakes those are.  I'll have to dig through his Flickr site some more.

The reason I'm calling out 38mm tires is that I've already got other bikes that go up to 50mm tires.

Thanks again and keep the pics/links coming if you have them.

Kevin

On Friday, June 23, 2017 at 12:36:56 PM UTC-4, Kevin McGrew wrote:

[Kevin McGrew]

Here's another with the brakes I was considering:

On Friday, June 23, 2017 at 12:36:56 PM UTC-4, Kevin McGrew wrote:

[Ryan Watson]

Not custom built, but I have Look I built up as a 650B racer. It's a blast to ride! I have 32mm tires on it, but I've used 38 also. 

[Harold Bielstein]

Not sure I understand the attraction to dropped top tubes!!

Sent from Hal's iPad

On Jun 23, 2017, at 8:34 PM, Ryan Watson <rswa...@me.com> wrote:

Not custom built, but I have Look I built up as a 650B racer. It's a blast to ride! I have 32mm tires on it, but I've used 38 also. 

<image1.jpeg>

On Jun 23, 2017, at 20:00, Kevin McGrew <kmc...@umich.edu> wrote:

Has anyone had a custom bike built around the 650x38mm tire size to be used like a standard road race bike?  Basically for fast/competitive road riding/racing.

--

[Greg Achtem]

If that was directed to the English, I'm with you all the way. But the OP asked for a custom 650B race bike. I thought it fit the bill. 

As to a fendered L'Avecaise, this just popped up in the 650B Flickr group 

https://flic.kr/p/VxPcG5

[Scott Stulken]

That Bishop is sweet!  I don't have any custom bikes (or plans for one atm), but every so often I catch myself thinking about converting the "go-fast" Bianchi to 650B.  Smaller frame, lower bars, no fenders or low gears, aw yeah.

- Scott

[Steve Chan]

On Fri, Jun 23, 2017 at 8:22 PM, Harold Bielstein <hkbie...@gmail.com> wrote:

Not sure I understand the attraction to dropped top tubes!!

   I think Rob English's explanation is that the compact frame allows the frame itself to be stiff, while the long, long seatpost flexes and provides compliance at the saddle. English's bikes have a signature willowy thin wishbone seatstays which (my guess) provides some flex at the rear wheel for planing, even if he claims that the compact geometry keeps the frame "stiff".

   His bikes are also really far into the weight weenie zone for a steel frame - pretty far afield from the tastes of most steel bike fans. I find them really interesting myself

[David Parsons]

On Friday, June 23, 2017 at 8:22:11 PM UTC-7, Harold Bielstein wrote:

Not sure I understand the attraction to dropped top tubes!!

More standover, maybe?

I've been doing it because I like the look of Hellenic stays the way that GT does it, plus as lagniappe it means I don't need to go to as heroic measures to find seatstays that are long enough to properly fit the machine  (this machine has ~405mm chainstays and I only lopped about an inch off the seatstays when I glued them in.)

[Mark in Beacon]

Lagniappe! Had to look that one up, great word. Handsome and Interesting looking bike. Despite the mega long seat post, it presents a very horizontal profile, if that makes sense. Maybe an optical illusion related to the seatstays plus sloping tt (though GTs don't look this stretched--and the chainstays are only 40cm?!) Is there something else going on with the geometry? (And wow, that is a serious drop from saddle to bars! You must be under 35!;^)

I did the Jeff Lyons/BQ "race bike" mentioned above, also had it done with a bit more trail since I did not plan to carry a big handlebar bag. Subsequently had to let that bike go, but as also pointed out above, Jeff would certainly build a bike without accommodations for fenders or tires wider than 38. In fact, since it is the wide tires and fenderability that makes the "typical" 650b more challenging, I suspect the OP could get lots of framebuilders to make a bike with the required parameters.

[David Parsons]

I've got a fairly long torso compared to my legs, so it's ~600mm ett & 520mm est,  The saddle to bar drop isn't as much as it seems (I think it's about 120-130mm) it's just that combined with the sloping TT makes it look insane.   (And, parenthetically, 57 -- my saddle to bar drop keeps increasing as I get older :-)

[Dave Johnston]

I imagine some of the current crop of disc brake race bikes would adapt to 650b x38 just by changing the wheels, although you might have to go to the adventure bike category to get the tire clearance.

-Dave J

On Friday, June 23, 2017 at 12:36:56 PM UTC-4, Kevin McGrew wrote:

[satanas]

^ Or maybe not. Out of curiosity I tried to fit 650b wheels on my Felt F5. With a Soma GL there was very little lateral clearance on the fork, but 38mm would be okay. Unfortunately, things are somewhat tighter at the rear, where 32 will clear but not much, if any, more. I suspect there will be other bikes with more chainstay clearance.

Re rim brakes: If 38s are the largest that need to clear, then 57mm calipers should be able to do the job, assuming no fenders.

I wish I was like the poster who said their seat to bar drop increased with age - that's not normal! ;-)

Later,
Stephen

[Les Lammers]

My 650B  L'Avecaise arrived last week. It's an off the peg 54cm. Filet brazed, unfiled. He is a true craftsman. I think Jeff nailed the tubing when he built the 4 bikes for the BQ review so I saw no need to change anything. Jeff has been building 650B's a long time. It can't hurt to give him a call.

[Steven Frederick]

Wowsa!

On Fri, Jun 23, 2017 at 6:09 PM, Steve Park <stev...@gmail.com> wrote:

Check out BishopBikes.  https://www.flickr.com/photos/bishopbikes/

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[Steve Park]

That Bishop is using VO Grand Cru long reach brakes...this picture provides a clearer view.

You can see that he's got the brake mounts placed carefully to maximize clearance, and the 42s just fit.  I might go with mini-v's instead if 42s are a must have.  Though I've spoken with Chris Bishop about building a bike (like the white one also posted in this thread), and he's a fan of 650x38s as an optimal size for go-fast 650b riding.

[Mark Anderson]

I am going to second (or third) the Jeff Lyon suggestion. My frame arrived a few weeks ago. I just finished building it up and if the shakedown rides are anything to go by, one of Jeff's frames would very likely meet the OP's requirements.

Mark Anderson

Liberty, Missouri USA

[Ryan Thompson]

Mark,

Any pictures of your completed build?

Thanks,

Ryan (formerly of Blue Springs, MO)

Arlington, VA

[Mark in Beacon]

(57, too. Rock on, 1960ers! You must have started riding with Sting Ray ape bars...)

On Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 12:36:02 PM UTC-4, David Parsons wrote:

I (And, parenthetically, 57 -- my saddle to bar drop keeps increasing as I get older :-)

[Carla Waugh]

What rims and hubs would be considered for a go fast 650B?

[David Parsons]

On Monday, June 26, 2017 at 1:39:57 PM UTC-7, Carla Waugh wrote:

What rims and hubs would be considered for a go fast 650B?

 A23s or the new Pacenti Brevet rims;  the Shimano 1n70 or its successors in the 1.5w dynamo hub category are good choices for front hubs, and there is a laughably huge selection of good hubs for the rear.   If you're using a dynamo hub, I think you're going to be hard pressed to get under a 2kg wheelset, but I got to ~1.9kg with a set of Brevet rims, a White Tracker Ti hub, a SON SL, and a mess of DT butted spokes + Sapim non-butted ones (for the rear DS spokes.)

[Mark Anderson]

I like A23s myself, but I've heard good things about the Pacenti Brevet rims. Anyone have personal experience with them?

 

 

__________  
Mark Alan Anderson
Liberty, Missouri USA

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[David Parsons]

I've not ridden mine yet (due to the SON SL on the front wheel;  I need to build a fork with a SL-style insulated dropout first) but, aside from the front one arriving with two big dings in the rim, they are nicely round and build up fast and true.

[Steve Chan]

   I built up a set of 28 spoke DA7700s laced to Pacenti SL23's - sporty, but not nutty.

On Mon, Jun 26, 2017 at 1:39 PM, Carla Waugh <lhtbik...@gmail.com> wrote:

What rims and hubs would be considered for a go fast 650B?

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[Chris Cullum]

On Jun 26, 2017 16:47, "Steve Chan" <sych...@gmail.com> wrote:

   I built up a set of 28 spoke DA7700s laced to Pacenti SL23's - sporty, but not nutty.

I like the SL23s a lot. I have 3 wheelsets with them. 2 650B and 1 700C. I've heard people complain about the tight bead but I haven't had any issues. Unfortunately they are discontinued. I think the brake track on the A23 is too shallow. Pickings are fairly slim in rim brake, reasonably lightweight 650b rims. There is the Pacenti Brevet and the slightly heavier Grand Bois.

[Chris Cullum]

Once you get into dyno hubs etc you are no longer in "race" bike but rando bike territory.

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[David Parsons]

On Monday, June 26, 2017 at 6:38:34 PM UTC-7, Chris Cullum wrote:

Once you get into dyno hubs etc you are no longer in "race" bike but rando bike territory.

Once you get away from carbon fiber & aluminum you're no longer in "race" bike territory (though I know a good chunk of people who do actual randonneuring rides on carbon fiber & aluminum, often without lights or any sort of luggage) but if you're going to do any sort of endurance racing the extra couple of hundred grams of close-to-the-axle rotating mass compares favorably with a handful of batteries.

disclaimer:  I sometimes do brevets on a 650x25b (Schwalbe Ones) aluminum machine with a carbon fork.  

[Kevin McGrew]

Thank you.  I actually have a set of these brakes on another bike so I can do a mock up and eyeball the clearances for myself.   Whether to go with these or the TRP mini-V's if a tough call.    I think the mini-V's have the best stopping power but they are a little finicky to keep adjusted and they don't tolerate wheels that aren't kept true.   The caliper brakes look the cleanest to me.

[Eric Keller]

On Mon, Jun 26, 2017 at 9:38 PM, Chris Cullum <cullum...@gmail.com> wrote:

Once you get into dyno hubs etc you are no longer in "race" bike but rando bike territory.

back when they had a local time trial series, I rode one of them in full rando gear.  There is nothing better than to pass your 2 minute man with bags and dyno lights.

In my way of thinking about rando bikes, they are race bikes with lights and fenders.

Eric Keller

Boalsburg Pennsylvania   

[Kevin McGrew]

Pacenti SL23 on DTSwiss 240s for me.  DT Revolution spokes and AL nipples.  

1500g wheelset and 300g tires setup tubeless makes for very light setup.

[Kevin McGrew]

I also mourn the loss of the 650b SL23....

I will probably go with Velocity A23 next as I've used many of their rims over years.  Availability of the OC spokebed rear is also nice.

On Monday, June 26, 2017 at 9:34:59 PM UTC-4, Chris Cullum wrote:

On Jun 26, 2017 16:47, "Steve Chan" <sych...@gmail.com> wrote:

   I built up a set of 28 spoke DA7700s laced to Pacenti SL23's - sporty, but not nutty.

I like the SL23s a lot. I have 3 wheelsets with them. 2 650B and 1 700C. I've heard people complain about the tight bead but I haven't had any issues. Unfortunately they are discontinued. I think the brake track on the A23 is too shallow. Pickings are fairly slim in rim brake, reasonably lightweight 650b rims. There is the Pacenti Brevet and the slightly heavier Grand Bois.

On Mon, Jun 26, 2017 at 1:39 PM, Carla Waugh <lhtbik...@gmail.com> wrote:

What rims and hubs would be considered for a go fast 650B?

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[Ryan Watson]

I'm running Velocity Aeroheads on mine. They're pretty skinny, perfect for the 32mm Grand Bois Cypres. 

I don't think they're making them in 650B anymore unfortunately. 

Ryan

--

[Igor Belopolsky]

Get your low price A23 here

http://www.thegranarybicyclecompany.com/product/velocity-a23-polished-650b-rim-32-spoke/

[satanas]

There's also HEDs Belgium+ (28/32°, not cheap), or with disc brakes Stans Crest Mk3 (28/32°, 341g), or these at ~320g:

https://www.lightbicycle.com/XC-650B-mountain-bike-hookless-27mm-wide-cross-country-rim-tubeless-compatible.html

Unfortunately, lightweight rims with brake tracks are becoming increasingly dodo-like, especially in sizes other than 700c.

Later,
Stephen

[Adam Paiva]

Just to jump on the Jeff Lyon bandwagon, I also have one and built it up in my eyes as "racy rando" with a mix of modern, light components and vintage, more traditional stuff (Mafac RAID mainly).  Wheels are Circus Monkey hubs to Velocity Synergy w/ Panaracer Gravel King 650b x 42 tires.

Complete bike weighs in just under 21 lbs if I remember right.  Overall I think I accomplished what I was setting out for in this bike.  My other bikes are 700c steel road bikes and weigh a couple lbs less than this  in the 18-19 range but this one feels like it wants to go just as fast and the tires allow me to go faster and float over rougher stuff that even on my 700x30mm Paris-Roubaix tires I need to slow down for.

[Mark in Beacon]

Nice job with that, Adam. Looks great.

[Adam Paiva]

Thanks Mark!

[Scott Stulken]

I'd been wondering about the Cypres lately, since most of the usual online shops don't have it in stock (or stock it anymore.)

The good news is that Grand Bois seems to still be making them, and in fact, did the whole 2017 run of 650B extra leger tires in red tread for their 30th anniversary:  http://www.cyclesgrandbois.com/SHOP/T650_F32_SS.html

The 650x32B size doesn't get as much love as the bigger ones, but I can see the value if you're a small rider or have a really tight frame to convert.  It'd be a shame if there were no good offerings in that size.

- Scott

[Paul Sherman]

Thanks for mentioning that, Scott - I'm going to order some EL Hetres in red now that they temporarily exist again.

Paul

[Mark Bulgier]

Scott Stulken wrote:

> I'd been wondering about the Cypres lately [snip]

I have some 650b Cyprès tires and might use them for a very tight 700c race bike conversion (my wife's), but keep in mind that you will get a very low BB.  Compared to a 700c Cyprès, about 3/4" lower BB. Or maybe 1/2" lower if you were switching from a smaller 700c tire like say a 25 mm.  Could be trouble if you were starting from an already-low BB and/or if you like long cranks or pedaling through corners...

On the plus side, the smaller wheel radius has advantages, not just the aforementioned ability to fit in tight-clearance frames, but also better toe clearance.  The latter is a good thing on this very small frame I am thinking of converting for Laurie.  Because she's light herself, she benefits more from light wheels, and doesn't need such fat tires.

Mark Bulgier
Seattle

[Stephen Poole]

On 29 Jun 2017 12:33 pm, "Mark Bulgier" <ma...@bulgier.net> wrote:
>
> On the plus side, the smaller wheel radius has advantages, not just the aforementioned ability to fit in tight-clearance frames, but also better toe clearance.

I'll probably eventually end up trying something like the Cypres on my Tony Oliver road bike. It has quite high bridges, but the slack seat angle and shortish chainstays mean that anthing bigger than ~23-622 contacts the back of the seat tube. A lower BB and more clearance at the front could only help. 38mm tyres would fit except the fork crown and stays are probably too narrow.  :-(

The problem will be whether any brakes will reach the rims without lowering the rear bridge, and possibly shortening the fork slightly; the frame was (erroneously) made for standard reach brakes.

I managed to acquire replacement stickers, so a full refurbishment/update may be in order eventually.

Later,
Srephen

[scott forbes]

What rack is that? Any weight restrictions? Nice bike. Thanks.

[Will Vautrain]

My Soma ES fits 42mm, but it's light (not sure exactly how much it weighs). Ultegra 10s with very light wheels and some other lightweight components.

On Friday, June 23, 2017 at 11:36:56 AM UTC-5, Kevin McGrew wrote:

Has anyone had a custom bike built around the 650x38mm tire size to be used like a standard road race bike?  Basically for fast/competitive road riding/racing.

Similar to this conversion:

http://www.bikeman.com/bikeman-blogs/650blog/1773-2007-trek-pilot-21-650b-conversion

-rim brakes - either Tektro long reach or possibly TRP mini V's.

-no fenders, bags, etc.

-preferably steel frame and fork for maximum ride quality.

I have various conversions of old road and modern cross bikes which I use for all kinds of riding.  Having been spoiled by the high volume 650B ride going back to 700x25c for fast/competitive road riding is not going to happen.   I found my conversion of a 80's Centurion Elite RS to 650x38 to be one of the most versatile and fun bikes for anything from smooth dirt up to criterium training.  I'm looking a modern version of that conversion.

Thanks,

Kevin

[Steve Park]

Firefly recently built this for me.  It's my vision of a 650b road bike in having all the manners and response of a conventional road bike.  It will take up to 2.1 tires, but this is mainly intended to wear Babyshoes and take on the go-fast duties previously assigned to my Vamoots and assorted other skinnyish tire bikes.

[William Lindsay]

I like that Firefly a lot. I bet it cost dozens of dollars. I hope it’s worth every dozen. 🤪.

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito Ca

[Will Vautrain]

Man, that’s a beauty! If I was putting together a new 650B from the ground up, I don’t think I could do better. Congrats!

[Jeffrey Kane]

Steve,

Curious about the choice for a 1X "go-fast". Can you detail your average go-fast terrain, re: paved vs. unpaved %, ascent / descent % per ride, etc? 1X for "road specific" riding has me perplexed, generally ... so that's why I'm asking. 

[Greg Achtem]

Yeah. And which one is it? Or, what’s the gallery link? Love the Firefly Flickr, or blog, or whatever. 

Nice bike! 

--

[mcma...@gmail.com]

Just wanted to show a 650B conversion bike I did back in 2010; an old Bianchi from ebay, with parts from the stash...Loup Loup Pass tires (38mm- more like 36 m on these rims- Synergy).  A fun and very nice riding bike; does great on the dirt/gravel and the pavement.  This is the 3rd iteration, and probably how it will remain.

Mike M  Ann Arbor

[John Clay]

Nice, clean job Mike. I like it.

Are the brakes RAID or Racer?

John Clay

Tallahassee

[Steve Park]

Good question.
1x suits my local terrain which is neither mountainous or flat. I seldom use the highest and lowest gears on a 2x. 44x11 is the same as 52x13... decently high, maybe 32mph or so. 44x32 is the same as 39x28...decently low. The cogs between are useful. It’s also simple to swap a chainring or cassette as my fitness changes or for a special ride.

I do ride a standard double on another road bike (53/39 x 12-28). It works too. It has the extra inches for the occasional sprint. Plenty of things to like about 2x.

While both 1x and 2x are functional for me, I really like the simplicity of 1x. It looks uncluttered, has fewer moving parts, and is slightly easier to clean and maintain. The clutch is nice and quiet too.

[Steve Park]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fireflybicycles/albums/72157703704209872

On Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 8:34:18 PM UTC-5, Greg Achtem wrote:

[Steve Park]

So many dozens, Bill, piles of dozens.

: )

[Steve Park]

Thanks.  Seven will do a fantastic job.  Enjoy it!

Sent from my iPad

On Mar 7, 2019, at 6:47 PM, desmond...@gmail.com wrote:

That’s just brilliant, I’m thinking of pretty much the exact same thing in a Seven.. pure Ti  “ the super steel”:)

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 7, 2019, at 3:04 PM, Steve Park <stev...@gmail.com> wrote:

Firefly recently built this for me.  It's my vision of a 650b road bike in having all the manners and response of a conventional road bike.  It will take up to 2.1 tires, but this is mainly intended to wear Babyshoes and take on the go-fast duties previously assigned to my Vamoots and assorted other skinnyish tire bikes.

--

[wg...@yahoo.com]

And here is my "Isn't March springtime??" 650b fast road bike.  

geoff s

arlington, ma

[Bill M.]

That's a very fine expression of a 650b go-fast.  Definitely NAHBS-worthy.  Much jealousy here.

Not to be critical, but I think the front brake rotor was mounted backwards...

Bill

Stockon, CA

[Erich Z]

This is probably an extremely non-iBOB suggestion, but 3T makes the Exploro, a very racy carbon thing that accepts up to 650b x 54mm tires. The guy I ran into with one locally was riding it on singletrack, and he was very fast. I would have asked him about it but he was gone before I could say anything. 

https://www.3t.bike/en/products/bikes/new-exploro-flatmount-565.html

It is obviously not cheap.

[Stephen Poole]

No, but currently 42% off here:

https://bikes.merlincycles.com/search?w=3t%20exploro

Later,

Stephen

[Bruce Herbitter]

Carla:

I bought one of Ed Braley's ("Bikeman") conversions, which he referred to as a "650B rocket." He used Velocity Aerohead in 650B wheels which had a freewheel hub. I've replaced those with a set of Velocity Synergy, laced to 105 freehub. It is no different in speed, using the same Pascenti 38mm Pari Moto rubber. I also replaced Ed's mustache bars with Nitto drops (the mustache is on another, Sunday Cruiser, bike) and it's set up with lights as my hill trainer and as a brevet bike. (I do most Brevets on a converted Waterford RS-12, which was once advertised basically as NOS here, sold with a 650B Terraferma fork. That bike has Soma New Express 38s. Not as cushy, but very cut resistant).
Both bikes work great. 650B lets you ride a larger frame than 700c wheels do.

Tailwinds,

Bruce

[njh...@gmail.com]

I setup a Merckx Mourenx carbon-fibre frame for my wife using 650b wheels. It's a better fit for her than it would be with the intended 700c wheels, and as the frame uses disc brakes, the different wheel size presents no problem. She's running it with Schwalbe G-One 650b x 30mm tyres, but with the smaller wheel size there's sufficient clearance between the tyres and the chainstays and fork legs to go several millimetres wider if she wanted. I have the bike setup with fairly high flat bars as that's what she prefers:

Nick

[erik]

Here is my light do all bike. I designed the ti frame and had it built in China and carefully picked all the components for a sub 18 lbs all road bike with 48mm wide tires. I have another wheelset with Thunder Burt knobbies and a ti Jones like flat bar for woods riding. I think it’s really great that there are frames, tires and components available today to build a bike that can nearly do it all with some minor changes. Even though this is the case I still have half a dozen bikes in the stable and half of those have 650b tires.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/78928221@N07/4640724713/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78928221@N07/46954471951/

More bike pics here>
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78928221@N07/

Enjoy!
Erik in Portland

[Charles Hobbs]

[Charles Hobbs]

Here is a picture of my wife's John Howard (built by Dave Tesch).  The frame came from ebay way too cheap; I think because of the small size and lack of an original fork.

Tektro long reach brakes work fine, even at 650b, max tire size is 32.  She is pretty light and only rides pavement so this tire size works great for her.

The bars aren't wrapped because I just changed out the brifters.  Sometimes when I pick it it up I am jealous how light it is.

Charles Hobbs