650B / 27.5" Wheels - Are they a Pain?

[John the Monkey]

Hi all,

I'm looking at a cheap-ish commuter bike for short runs to the station. It's hard to see past the Carrera Subways, but the 27.5" wheel size is giving me pause.

I'd want mudguards and a rack on the bike, and anticipate having to replace tyres fairly frequently with something relatively p* protected. How much of a pain is this (to me) unusual size when it comes to sourcing tyres, mudguards, replacement wheels &c &c?

 

[Tim Hall]

Wiggle, taking a supplier at random, has 77 hits for 27.5" tyre. It's not that unusual a size anymore.

 

[Cycleops]

27.5 is becoming more mainstream now so finding the items you mention shouldn’t be a problem. The tyres as supplied are likely to budget items so replacing them early on might be a necessity as you say.

 

[Crackle]

2 years ago, yes. Now, no.

 

[Drago]

You'll have no problemo. 650B is actually an older size the the 599-26" standard. Its only fairly recent that it's become fashionable for MTBs, but as a size it dates back to pre-war and in MTB use it dates back to the Cleland Range Rider of 79-80.

 

[Chris S]

650B tyres actually fit a 584mm rim, they were once a common size on French bikes. There's no shortage of them on ebay.

A 650B tyre on a rim can be about the same diameter as a 700C rim without one (584+38=622) so they're ideal for the shorter rider.

 

[Chris S]

You're right, it's +35 all around the rim.
I wondered how people managed to get 700C wheels in 650A forks. There only has to be a spare 16mm between the tyre top and the fork crown, even less if you use thinner tyres.

 

[Chris S]

How much of a pain is this (to me) unusual size when it comes to sourcing tyres, mudguards, replacement wheels &c &c?

You can currently buy a pair of Schwalbe 650B tyres with puncture protection for £12.99 on ebay. They're not normally this cheap but it shows what's out there.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Schwalbe...hash=item41d5cf0dc3:m:maypnqJvXGdCBygkASSOIZw

 

[NorthernDave]

When Mrs ND bought her Subway, Halfords couldn't sell her any spare inner tubes for it as they were "the most shoplifted item in the shop" - clearly in demand!
Not had a problem sourcing them elsewhere though.

 

[John the Monkey]

Thanks all. Any one fitted chromo plastics (or similar) on this wheel size? Did you go for 26" mudguards or 700?

 

[LeetleGreyCells]

Ordered some Topeak mudguards for 27.5 today from Halfords.

 

[John the Monkey]

Ordered some Topeak mudguards for 27.5 today from Halfords.

I think I've seen those - iirc, they're not "proper" guards (following the arc of the wheel, attached at eyelets, fork crown, brake bridge etc)

 

[LeetleGreyCells]

I think I've seen those - iirc, they're not "proper" guards (following the arc of the wheel, attached at eyelets, fork crown, brake bridge etc)

They guard my derrière and face from mud. That’s enough for me.