Wabi 650b?

[Doug Bloch]

I have always been intrigued by Wabi frames for their lightness and Reynolds tubing. I’m wondering if anyone has tried to convert their frames to 650b and what size tires they can accommodate, including fenders. I understand these bikes are designed with a 700c fixed gear wheel set in mind, but my goal is to eventually ride with a nice 650b fixed gear wheel set.

Any thoughts/experience is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Doug

[Will Vautrain]

I've admired Wabi frames too, but I've no personal experience with them. I assume the stays have about as much tire clearance as the average steel track bike, so clearance for 650b tires would be pretty minimal. You're probably looking at 650x28, max.

[Eli Naeher]

I haven't tried this, but when I bought my Wabi a few years ago, I called them up and the founder, Richard Snook, was very happy to take a lot of time on the phone to discuss sizing with me. And I know they've sold their smaller frames with 650c wheels. I suspect they'd be open to helping you out with information on clearances.

My steel-forked Wabi Classic easily clears 700c 32mm Compass tires front and rear. (When I bought it it was advertised as clearing 28mm with fenders, 32mm without.) I know they have some carbon-fork models with tighter clearances in the front.

I've attached a couple quick phone photos to show the clearances with 32mm 700c tires without fenders. Sorry for the grime, been a long wet winter here.

-Eli
Queens, NY

[Doug Bloch]

Thanks. This is very helpful. Over at Bike Forums, someone pointed me in the direction of the new Wabi Thunder, a cyclocross frame built for even wider tires. But I really like the Classic. Now I just need to snag a frame.

Doug