650b or 700c when clearance is not an issue
Hello! I am brand new - literally created an account to ask this question because I couldn't find the specific question I have.
I just built a Soma Wolverine and would like to get into touring (both pavement and gravel). I also just got a King hub that I will be building into a new wheel for that bike (since I had to tear the wheels off my El Mariachi and the rims are quite wide so either way I can't continue to run them... sad).
So my question is... for touring, double track trails, gravel grinding, and pavement pounding (punching, pushing, peddling??? lol) should I build a 650b or 700c wheel?
I know most 650b conversion threads talk about having more clearance and a supple-er ride (due to fatter tires) but those people are usually using bikes that can only clear 700 x 40 tires and 650b gives them more rubber.... but my bike clears 29 x 2.1 Nanos no problem and that won't change much if I swap to 650b. If I do choose 650b I would use WTB Byways for commuting and road/gravel stuff and Ikons when I am trying to get more ~rad~
So if I build a 650b wheel and the clearance doesn't really change, is there really any benefit? Or will I just be stuck with a wheel that is slower (rotational speed), doesn't roll over things quite as well, and in the middle of nowhere with a blown tire in a weird size that the LBS doesn't have?
The only benefit I see right now is that (according to Soma) a 650b x 2.0 tire fits with fenders - as opposed to only 45c tires in the 700c form. Has anyone done this to their Wolverine or a similar bike with minimal clearance changes? Did you like it? Or are the 650b tires a fad just like those Livestrong rubber bracelets that were ever so popular in middle school?
I just built a Soma Wolverine and would like to get into touring (both pavement and gravel). I also just got a King hub that I will be building into a new wheel for that bike (since I had to tear the wheels off my El Mariachi and the rims are quite wide so either way I can't continue to run them... sad).
So my question is... for touring, double track trails, gravel grinding, and pavement pounding (punching, pushing, peddling??? lol) should I build a 650b or 700c wheel?
I know most 650b conversion threads talk about having more clearance and a supple-er ride (due to fatter tires) but those people are usually using bikes that can only clear 700 x 40 tires and 650b gives them more rubber.... but my bike clears 29 x 2.1 Nanos no problem and that won't change much if I swap to 650b. If I do choose 650b I would use WTB Byways for commuting and road/gravel stuff and Ikons when I am trying to get more ~rad~
So if I build a 650b wheel and the clearance doesn't really change, is there really any benefit? Or will I just be stuck with a wheel that is slower (rotational speed), doesn't roll over things quite as well, and in the middle of nowhere with a blown tire in a weird size that the LBS doesn't have?
The only benefit I see right now is that (according to Soma) a 650b x 2.0 tire fits with fenders - as opposed to only 45c tires in the 700c form. Has anyone done this to their Wolverine or a similar bike with minimal clearance changes? Did you like it? Or are the 650b tires a fad just like those Livestrong rubber bracelets that were ever so popular in middle school?