A 650B Project

I have had this '99 Trek 930 from for a while now; it's in great structural condition and I've ridden it set-up many different ways. The last of which as a full rigid single speed. This steel beaut' has been hanging in the rafters long enough, because I have decided to build a Bridgestone Xo-1 Tribute bike. Grant Petersen now pushes the 650B format so I've figured I will build this as a 650B rigid, with cantilever brakes and a mustache bar. Yes the BB height will go up just a bit, but I'm OK with that: at least it is no longer collecting dust. I confirmed that the Pacenti Quasi-Moto will fit without a problem, but I think I'll be using the Schwalbe Marathon slicks most of the time. I also have some cheap 650B tires I found that would handle light trail duty as well. Either tire will fit fine along with a set of full fenders. I will be moving the canti mounts to achieve proper brake reach, on both the frame and the cromo rigid fork. I may even add rack mounts to the fork.



I'll update as the project progresses.

There's no wrong way to do 650B.

...and Hufnagel shows us how they do it right.

visit HUFNAGLE for more cycle sexiness.

Another Rando tire for 650B

Soma, as we all know, has been diggin the 650B format since 2007 when they showed their B-Side Prototype at Interbike. Since then they have brought the B-Side into production and also brought in the Fire XC tire for 650B under the IRD guise. I am happy to help announce Soma's new tire based on the Panaracer Pasela to be offered in a 650x38B.
Pacenti Cycle Design recently introduce their Pari-Moto tire in this same size. So alt wheel fans should have plenty to rejoice about.
Head over to Rene Herse's blog to read more on the new Soma tire.

RENE HERSE

From Diego.

"Hey, great organisation/research on the 650B world. One Q that's irritating the F out of me: (why) is nobody out there making a cx type 650B tire in the 35-42C range that can actually handle real trails and fit into road frames? For a do-it-all practical bike, I have my old road frame-city bike that I ride all snowy winter with beautiful jaunts into the trails but have tiny 25c cx tires on it. Any tire like this hiding somewhere out there?"

I'd like to think that I have all of the decent 650B tires listed to the left. I think the tire you're looking for is not yet produced. The folks over at Pacenti Cycle Designs has some tire designs and I believe they have the Mini-Moto on the drawing board. I too would love to see a tire similar to what you desire, and I'd put money down to say we're aren't the only two.
If you'd like to ride a more fledgling tire size in 650A, aka 26 x 1 3/8", Kenda offers a knobbie tire close to the range you mentioned. I know it is available from USA distributor SBS. While 650B has a bead seat diameter of 584, the 650A is at 590. SO, this elusive tire will not fit a true 650B.

Haro Takes the Beasley Full Geary

In 2009 Haro released their Beasley line with a single speed and a 1x9 version. For 2010 Haro made the jump to a full 27speeds and a White Bros suspension fork with 3.9" of travel. Haro has also bumped up the wheel quality on the geared version, utilizing WTB's Laser Disc Trail rim as opposed to the Weinmann rim of the SS. Last year's 1x9 was supplied with a basic handle bar, but this year the new Ritchey 10degree bar graces the front end.
They are still offering the single speed along with a righteous rigid fork and On-One's ultra sweepy Mary Bar. Both frames are 4130 double butted Chromoly steel. Haro dealers across the nation will likey be carrying the Beasley along side the 29r line of Mary and Ally bikes.

www.harobikes.com

X-Fusion Shox

Well, I had a chance to give the folks at XFusion a call to get an update on the happenings. I spoke with John Valera and he gave me the low down on their up coming release of the new and improved Velvet for 2010. Now, this fork has an expected release date much earlier but due to production schedules the fork has gotten pushed back to a late Spring release. The '10 Velvet will feature a new lower magnesium casting and revised internals. The original Velvet has been moved down to the Velour R model, again with slightly modified internals. I'd like to call this the 'trickle-down effect'. The Vengeance will also be a longer travel 650b Compatible fork. The stock 26" version will boast 160mm worth of buttery travel and we can expect the B version to give 150mm. (Incorrect Information) The 2010 Velour will offer 120 for the B version and will be convertible to lower travel distances from the factory.
The new Velvet isn't viewable on their main website, but you can follow them via Twitter and on Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v=info&ref=ts&id=1466855517

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM 650B PALACE!

My last post was back in September, and I am sorry. There has been many things going on, and I have totally neglected 650BPalace. Alas, I am back to pick up where I left off. I haven't been hitting MTBR, nor communicating with industry insiders about ANYTHING. The last few day I have been trying to get courage to face the blogging public and resume regular posting to 650B Palace.
So, where I am! I am getting back to work, so give me a few days to get a new post going!

The Ongoing Struggle

Forks. We have only one manufacturer that has produced a true bred 650B suspension fork: White Bros. They are offering the Magic in a 80mm and 100mm travel options and the Fluid in 100 & 130. These forks do fill the most commonly used travel lengths, but more options are needed.
From the looks of things, nearly every major fork manufacturer already has a model with lowers that fit a 650B off-road tire. Rock Shox, Fox Forx, Marzocchi, Manitou, DT Swiss, even RST and Suntour. When will these manufacturers see the potential and just take the plunge. A 650B fork could double as a 26" as well. Obviously not much will need to be done for an official ruling to take place. I'm no engineer, but after talking with White Bros last year it was a huge overhauling to adapt their forks to meet 650B use.
X-Fusion has been smart with giving the thumbs up for their Velvet fork. This fork was a blessing to the wheelsize. With a retail price of under $400, and a weight under 4lbs, the Velvet has been the perfect starter fork for most 650B users.
I am working on a list of compatible 26" forks, but I am hesitant to post it to this site. I have done quite a bit of work to locate and test forks that can fit the 2.3 Neo-Moto. If I do list anything, all forks must accept the larger Neo.

KHS SixFifty606

I had a blurb weeks ago about this bike when a KHS Rider had a prototype. Well, KHS has given the thumbs up for production. The 606 will feature a hydroformed aluminum frame, an X-Fusion Velvet fork, Nevegal 2.1" tires and a Shimano SLX rear deraileur, just to name some of the myriad of components on this geared hardtail. This is the first production aluminum mtb hardtail 650B frame.
I spoke with a few KHS folks at last year's Interbike and they were very open to the 650B format and even had a Tuscon setup with 650B wheels. I'd love to see a steel Solo-One in the future. They can call it the BSolo.

KHS SixFifty606

SALE SALE SALE

Bikelugs.com is having a sale on 650B Tires. All Pacenti makes are instock, including the 2.1" Neo-Moto.
CHECK IT!

Soul Cycles Hooligan G3

Hey folks I just came across some nice info! The folks over at Soul Cycles have confirmed a 27.5"x2.35" Kenda Nevegal fits in their 26" Hooligan frame. Their 4th Generation of this model is currently in the works, and I think the rear end length has not changed. Check them out at www.ridesoul.com

Kent Eriksen Never Ceases to Amaze!

Kent Eriksen helped produce one of the first modern 650B mountain frames a few years back. At this year's Rocky Mountain Bike Show in Denver he took home "Builder of the Year" title. 650B Palace would like to highlight this achievement as well as one of the many bikes that were displayed last weekend.

As many of you know, Kent Eriksen founded the Moots company. Specializing in titanium, and designing the YBB softtail yolk. Kent left Moots a number of years back, went on hiatus, and is now back with Kent Eriksen Cycles and still builds in Steamboat Springs,CO.
The above bicycle is a fullsuspension 650B, Titanium bicycle. Up front, the Maverick DUC32 handles the steering, and has been modified to allow maximum travel mated to a 650B Schwalbe Racing Ralph. The rear utilized Ventana's faux-bar linkage along with Eriksen manufactured titanium seat stays (Ventana's OE version uses aluminum stays instead).
This is truly a beautiful bike, and only one of the many 650B frame that the camp at Eriksen Cycle has produce. If you can see through the full suspension, there is a full rigid 650B hardtail behind it.
Congrats to Eriksen Cycles!

Collab Begins!

A while back I mentioned 650B Palace will be working with a frame manufacturer to bring forth a new 650B dedicated hardtail frame. Well, the collaboration began last week with a phone call to discuss some general geometry numbers. I will not be revealing many details, but I do want to let everyone know there is something new coming down the pipe. When 'spy' photos are ready I'll post them. Keep checking back!

The folks over at Norse Cycles just put the finishing touches on a TI 650B hardtail using a Maverick SC32.
check them out at www.norsecycles.com or just click the huge NORSE above.

650B Tires

This is a list of tires available in 650B/ 584 ISO. It will be ever growing so check back often.

Pacenti Cycle Design

Neo-Moto 2.3"
Neo-Moto 2.1"
Quasi- Moto 2.0"
Pari-Moto 38

Kenda

Nevegal 2.35"
Nevegal 2.1"

IRD (Interloc Racing Design)

Fire XC Pro 2.1"

Panaracer

Col de Vie 38
Fatty Rumpkin 40
Nifty Swifty 32

Schwalbe

Racing Ralph 2.25"
Marathon Slick 42

Soma

Pasela 38

WTB

Wolerine 2.2"

Grand Bois

Cypres 32
Ourson 35
Hetre 42

650B Frame Manufacturers

This is a list of production frames. Most custom builders will be happy to build what ever you want for the right amount of cash. The folks below have brought in 650B specific frames at a production level.

Rawland Cycles - Sogn, Olaf & Drakkar(2010 release)
Spooky Cycles - Horror Taxi
Vicious Cycles - Mambo Sun
Carver - Killer B
Rivendell - Bombadil, Betty Foy, Saluki (rip), Sam Hillborne (650b in limited sizes)
Haro - Beasley, Sonix VL120 (2010 release)
Jamis - SixFiftyB2
KHS- Sixfifty606
Soma Fabrications - BSide
Ventana - El Bastardo

650B Rims

This is a list of 650B Rims available. Not all MTB specific, simply a list of options to use on your next wheel build.
This will be an ever growing list and will be added as a link on the side of this site.

Alex XD-Lite
Grand Bois Super Champion M58 replica
Rigida Sphinx
Snow Cat wide rim @ 45mm wide
Stan's No Tubes ZTR355
Sun Ringle EQ27
Sun Ringle CR18
Velocity Blunt
Velocity Synergy
Velocity Twin Hollow
Velocity P35 (eta Sept 2009)
Velocity Dyad
Velocity Aerohead (AU exclusive)
Vicious Children of the Revolution
Weinmann Discovery
Weinmann ZAC19
Weinmann XM 280
WTB Laserdisc Trail (eta Sept 2009)