Who here switches between 650b and 700/29er

[weaponsgrade]

Frames like the Open UP allow for switching between a 650b 2.1" tire and a 700 with a 40mm tire. For those of you that have an Open UP (or other like frame) do you find yourself switching between wheel sizes? What are some of the differences you notice when swapping wheel sizes with the same frame?

[rst72]

I am 650b curious as well.

[AZR3]

I’m building a 3T Exploro and plan to use it as a gravel/road bike and use 650b for gravel and 700C for road. Not sure how well it’ll work but it’s nice to have a bike capable of being multi use.

[eBAUMANN]

ANY disc bike can be setup with 700c or 650b tires/wheels.
The Open UP gets WAAAAAAAY to much credit/attention for this...

700c x 33c = 650b x 47c
As far as total wheel diameter is concerned.
You can theoretically swap between the two without any real change in geometry/handling.

Big tire cush/traction without the weight penalty of larger 700c rubber...which would also change the handling/ride characteristics of your bike.

I highly recommend this for people looking to use a bike for pavement AND dirt purposes.

[sandyrs]

ANY disc bike can be setup with 700c or 650b tires/wheels.
The Open UP gets WAAAAAAAY to much credit/attention for this...

700c x 33c = 650b x 47c
As far as total wheel diameter is concerned.
You can theoretically swap between the two without any real change in geometry/handling.

Big tire cush/traction without the weight penalty of larger 700c rubber...which would also change the handling/ride characteristics of your bike.

I highly recommend this for people looking to use a bike for pavement AND dirt purposes.

Yeah, only weird carbon chainstays sometimes prevent CX bikes from clearing 650b x 4____ tires.

I've swapped to 650's on one bike (my commuter) and as you'd expect given that I went from 700x30 to 650x47, the handling didn't change at all. The bike is now cushier over bumps and slightly slower in a straight line, I guess. I'm happy with the change.

[fffuhq]

I want to do this on my Ritchey P-29er

[eBAUMANN]

I want to do this on my Ritchey P-29er

You would need to go 27.5+ (2.8-3.0) tires to keep the handling of a frame designed for 29x2.2-ish tires. Just a heads up...

[fffuhq]

You would need to go 27.5+ (2.8-3.0) tires to keep the handling of a frame designed for 29x2.2-ish tires. Just a heads up...

Thanks man. I figured that would be the case. I wish I bought a timberwolf. ha.

[ptourkin]

I do this on my Trail Donkey.

Right now it's set up with 650B x 47 SBH and another wheelset with 700 x 38 Maxxis Ramplers. I originally set up the 700s to use with 30/32 Specialized as a backup/climbing bike for the 508 with and liked how it rode in training. I use the 700s for faster gravel with mixed pavement. I don't have data but I still feel faster on the 38s even though they have tread.

When I inevitable replace the Compass with one of the new 47s with knobs like the WTB, there may be less of a point.

[keevon]

I did this for a while with my NFE when I first got it. Figured I'd ride 700x32 for most everything and save the 650bx42 for rough stuff and bike camping.

But two years in, I just run the 650b wheels all the time. They're just a treat to ride on any surface.

[JAGI410]

I’m going 29er on my 27.5+ bike next week.