STOLEN SOMA B-SIDE ALERT

A Soma B-Side was stolen this weekend in FT Collins, Colorado. Stock colors, 2x6 gearing and a White Bros Fork. If you see it, contact me: Jeremy@650bpalace.com
Thanks riders!

Soma Fab-ulous

The SomaFab Shop is blowing out their remaining B-Side cross country frames for only 299.99
That's over $100 off an already affordable high quality Tange Prestige steel frame.
This is absolutely the best deal on a 650b frame right now.
Those considering should jump in with two feet.

http://store.somafab.com/greatdeals.htmlx

My BSibe has become my "Winter overhaul project" and at 299.99, you too can have a sweet 650b preject too. Sick deals they're throwing out over at the Soma factory. Get on it!

SALES!

Pacenti's NEO-MOTO 2.3 on sale from $59(ea) to $38!
NEO SALE

Alex XD-Lite rims from $40(ea) to $27
RIM SALE

Kenda Nevegal 2.35 from $55 to $37
Nevegal Sale

Taking the BSide to a new level.

I spent the better part of today in the shop working on non-bike projects when I pushed my Soma BSide next to my custom cyclocross bike. I currently have a coverted 650b bike with a mustache bar but none with an off-road dropbar setup. Yeah yeah, this isn't exactly uncharted territoy with 650b, but it is on a personal level. SO. I've decided to drop the BSide and add gears to the rig.
My debate lies with the rim choice. I'll likely be running Quasi-Motos or the Schwalbe RR. BUT. I may toss on the 700d x 2.0 knobby tires I picked up a while back. Otherwise, mech disc brakes, Salsa Bell Lap bars, tektro droplevers for disc, shimano Rd cranks- 105 or Ultegra, 9 speed with bar cons, uletrga deraileurs.
Thoughts, anyone?

Across the Pond: MBUK demo's a Pipedream with Pacenti Tyres

Creating the Perfect 650B Bicycle

I greatly apologize for the lack of content, once again, here at 650B Palace. Frankly, I have just been lazy. I have been using my iPhone WAY too much and haven't really sat myself down to post updates and promote and buzz in the industry. I've given myself a slap on the wrist and taken away 2 "Cool Points" and learned my lesson.
I'm back in full gear and haven given The 650B Palace a little face lift. As far as I can tell this remains to be the most direct source of 650B info on the web, along with MTBR's "650b, 69er and new wheel trends" forum. We've come a long way in the 650B dept for the MTB industry, as well as the rando/touring side of things. Rawland Cycles has designed some great, and interesting rigid bikes, and Haro gave us the geared Beasley with a White Bros suspended front end; along with the 650B Sonix - then came Jamis with their Dakar with 650Bs. Yet, which bike rules the 650B roost? Is there supremacy to be had? What would make the perfect 650B bike?
Short Travel Full Suspension? Long Travel Boinger? Long Travel Hardtail? Steel - Aluminum - Geared - Single - WHAT????? Riddle me this. i'd like to build up another 650B frame and have a 130mm travel steel hardtail single speed in mind, but want to also dabble with some rear suspension. What's a guy to do? Help me out. Drop some comments on what your dream 650B bike would be.

Here's some help, fill out this survey:
Frame Material:
Frame Travel:
Fork:
Travel:
Handlebar:
Wheel-
Rims:
Hubs:
Front Tire:
Rear Tire:
Brake Set-
Lever:
Caliper:
Bottom Bracket and Style:
Crankset with chain-ring choice:
Headtube (ie, 1.5, 1.125, Tapered):
Headset :
Stem:
Pedals:
Grips:
Shifters:
Front Derailleur:
Rear Derailleur:
Cassette/Cog:
*If you prefer a singlespeed, place N/A where gears are applicable.

Meech Custom Cycles

Dimitri Harris from Meech Cycles has been busy creating custom bikes for his customers and friends, but still had time to build this beauty for himself. A fillet brazed steel frame featuring American Classic BXC wheelset along with FSA bits and a Gates Carbon Belt drive.
A short blurb from the Meech Homepage
"Custom frames start around $1000 and $1250 w/steel fork,if you want to throw a carbon fork on to save a little weight I can do that for you as well. All my frames are handmade by me here in Mountain Home, Arkansas and come with a 20 yr. warranty so if you are in the market for a custom steel frame I would be glad to build it for you. Thanks for checking out the blog and you can email me at meech151@hotmail.com or call (870)897-6703."

The Pacenti Mini-Moto revisited.

Pacenti Cycle Designs really got the ball roling for the 650B offroad market. In 2007 Pacenti showed up to NAHBS with a titanium hardtail sporting a custom White Bros suspension fork and rims rolled by Cane Creek. the chosen tires were also a custom made bit. The original tires were 29er WTB tires with a chunk cut out then stitched back together with a liquid rubber concoction I'd rather not detail (so folks don't start thinking it is absolutely safe). Shortly after that debut Pacenti Cycle Design released the 2.3" Neo-Moto, a legitmate 650B offroad tire made in the Panaracer factory in Japan.
In 2007 there was also talk of Pacenti's future releases in the Quasi-Moto and Mini-Moto. While the Quasi-Moto manifested, and then the 2.1" Neo-Moto the Mini-Moto was placed on the back burner while companies like Kenda, IRD, and Schwalbe also released tires, all 2.1" and above. Where has the Mini-Moto idea gone? Well, it is back, and the PRE-SALE has begun.


From the Rawland Blog
"Lately there has been discussion about the Pacenti Mini Moto, a 43c wide knobby 650b tire with a classic block pattern. I decided not to wait any longer for this phantom 650b cyclocross-type tire, so I talked with Kirk Pacenti, the designer and manufacturer of the excellent Pari Moto, Quasi Moto, and Neo Moto 650b tires. We agreed that the Mini Moto would go into production if I receive pre-orders for a total of 300 tires, or 150 sets."

Visit the Pre-Order page

HERE

RAWLAND BLOG

MBA Reviews KHS's SixFifty606

Check out the review in the August edition of Mountain Bike Action.
On news stands now!

Creating an Offroad Conversion

With a small number of production 650B frames and complete bikes the question of converting an existing bike to except the 650B wheel format. I have experimented heavily to find frames that will accept the MID sized wheel, mainly in the beginnging as now others have adopted the 584 wheel and aided in the search.
An easy and obvious candidate would be any 29er frame. Alas, installing a smaller-than-designed-for wheel into a bike/frame would typically have negative effects. The bottom bracket height drops, and the length of the chainstays remain less than optimal. When designing bicycles the long-time standard has been the 26" wheel, so many designers base theories from the 16"-17" chainstay lengths we are used to from the antiquated 26er. This distance proves best as the rear axle is close behind and below the rider. In many cases as found in early posts of this blog 26" wheeled frames can accept the larger 27.5" wheel also. Less design compromises are made.
So we find ourselves converting 26" designed bikes before the 29ers. The sized changed will be felt positively more so when installed on the shortest chainstay available, IE the 26".
Moving from a 26"-27.5" wheel I would recommend continuing to use the same cassette sizes when using a geared set-up. When using a single speed setup I have been adding 1 tooth to my rear cog, so I've gone from a 16t-17t.
When adding some height to the front I have brought my stem down slightly and added 5-10mm in reach. 26" forks are designed with 26" wheels in mind, when adding to the diameter the "trail" is altered, so the stem adjustment will help remedy this change.

Azonic Revenge

Banshee Scratch

Bianchi SASS
Bianchi Oetzi Carbon 2009 (only quasi-moto)

BMC Team Elite 02, (2.1" and smaller)

Brodie 1-Ball (with sliders)

Canfield Bros Balance

Cannondale Prophet (2007+ checked)
Cannondale taurine
Cannondale F3

Carver 96er

Chumba Hx1

Commencal Meta 5.5

Gary Fisher Fat Possum
Gary Fisher Tass. 2008

Gunnar Ruffian (older with horizontal dropouts)

Haro Sonix LT
Haro Xeon
Haro Sonix VL120,(original Rear triangle) fits the Quasi Moto

Ibex Atlas

Ibis Mojo (2.1" and smaller recommended)

K2 Factory
K2 Apache 6.0

Kona Unit (with sliders)
KONA Coiler Series, (2007)
Kona

Marin Rift Zone
Marin Wolf Ridge 05/06

Mountain Cycle fury

Novarra Method

Orange R8 2010

Surly 1x1, no confirmation but I'm sure the Pugsley would work too.

Salsa Ala Carte
Salsa El Santo FS 2008 (Quasi-moto)

Schwinn 01 Homegrown Ltd

Scott Spark 30

Sinister Ridge
Sinister Splinter FS

Specialized Enduro Elite (checked on 2007 model)
Specialized Myka
Specialized Carbon Epic, 2008
Specialized S-Works Carbon HT
Specialized Pitch 2008
Specialized FSR Pro Carbon 2008

Spooky Darkside

Soul Cycles Titan
Soul Cycles Icon
Soul Cycles Hooligan G2

Soma Groove (2.1" and smaller recommended)

Santa Cruz Chameleon, horizontal dropouts (2.1" and smaller recommended)
Santa Cruz Heckler
Santa Cruz Bullet
Santa Cruz BLT2

Titus Eleven (Fireline) (Quasi Moto tested)

Trek 930/950/970 1999 fit the QUASI-MOTO

Ventana El Chamuco
VooDoo Bokor (newer with sliders)
VooDoo Wanga (newer with sliders)
VooDoo Sobo (2.1" and smaller tire recommended)

2010 Confirmed FS Frames:
(thanks to MTBRs "Derby")

Ellsworth: Epiphany (tested - clears seat tube at bottom travel)
Titus: Guapo (2008 – 2009 only)
Knolly: Endorphin (2.1 max)
Jamis: Dakar, Parker
Santa Cruz: Heckler, Butcher, Nickel, Blur Carbon BLT Carbon
Orange: Alpine (160mm), Five (140mm), St4 (120mm)
Foes: XCT, FXR
Intense: Uzzi VP
Pivot: Firebird (tested - clears seat tube at bottom travel)
Ibis: Mojo (may require small travel limit shim depending on shock, except HD easily clears seat tube at bottom travel)
Evil: Revolt
Specialized: Stumpjumper, Epic
Trek: Scratch, Remedy
GT: Sensor (2.0 max), Force , Force Carbon
Rocky Mountain: Slayer (2.2 max), Altitude (2.2 max)
Marin: Mt. Vision, Wolf Ridge

Jamis Reviewed.

I found a nice write up on the Jamis Sixfifty over on "B Fast Racer"

check it.


http://bfastracer.wordpress.com/2010/04/20/jamis-sixfifty/

Trek 650B Conversion: Built.

I've finally finished the Trek 930 conversion. I've given the bike limited saddle time, but it was never intended to be a main bike. I basically tossed it together with a few extra parts, and a few new ones. I am using the Schwalbe Marathon 650x42b tires and they seem a bit on the heavy side. Even when using a MTB cassette on a paved trail the wheels were just heavy to push. The Sun cr18 rims are not a massive rim, and I used aluminum nipples to help with rotating weight. The Marathons are a wire bead and have a thick hide to help fight punctures, so there lies the extra mass. I've been riding mustache-style bars for about 6 years now, so this bike is ever-so comfy. . .
I moved/replaced the canti studs 10mm higher on both the seat stays and the rigid fork. Going with a larger diameter wheel I added a set of fenders that came as original equipment on my Bianchi Castro Valley a few years ago. The Bianchi used 700x28c tires, but these fenders engulfed that tire, and also has no trouble covering the 650x42b.
This bike will receive a bright powder coat job for visibility purposes, at which point to may stay or get sold for face value. I know the rear stays have plenty of room for the Quasi-Moto, but I haven't checked the Fire XC 2.1, ot the Schwalbe 2.25 Racing Ralph (perhaps when I have an extra 10min).
Fun little project. The Trek 930B.

650c, 650b, 700c, now 750c??? Just wait.

The fine folks from Velocity are solving the sizing issue once again and prodiving large road riders with a huge rim in 750C. With the BSD of 700c being 622mm, this new concoction of a wheel will measure 673mm. Old 27" wheels measured 630mm. 750C will be yet another option for tall riders much like 29" was for the MTB scene.
Though this is not news designed for 650B Palace, the theories are clear. Wheel sizes proportionate to the rider. Velocity is testing their ideas in secret laboratories with locked doors and freakishly tall humans.
Great, now I'm going to need a new truing stand....
Read more at the Velocity USA Blog site.

Dirt Rag's Recent

The fine folks at Carver bikes shipped a Ti Killer be to the Dirt Rag HQ. My industry crush, Ms Karen Brooks (DR's Editor), tested the sled and the words are located here:

CARVER KILLER B

To received a hard copy of the magazinve visit here:
DIRT RAG MAG

Siren sings a song of 650B.

Siren Bicycles is a custom shop out of California producing 6 models out of steel and aluminum. Quite the diverse offerings, too. Hardtails, soft-tails, 26", 69rs, 29" and now a 650B in their Song model.
Their flexing titanium plate, paired with Cane Creek dampening unit supply the Song with 1.5" of smooth travel. The Song 55 and Song 29 have been staples in their line up but this is the first build around the 650B platform. The frame is a custom with some very nice features.

(click for a larger view)

Be sure to visit the Siren Home Page located at
www.sirenbicycles.com
and their weblog can be viewed at
www.sirenbicycles.wordpress.com
Very impressive work being done, check it out!

The BMX world searches for a middle ground...

20" wheels have dominated the BMX market for over 30 years. Kids on theirs Schwinns with loose grips, pretending to me motocross racers took their bikes to the dirt mounds and bayous to over come gravity. 24" and 26" cruiser BMX racers later hit tracks along with little brother 20" wheels. 26" cruisers died rather quick in the race scene, but transcended to mountain biking. Back to 20" wheels for freestyle and street use... until now. Faction Bike Co is a BMX company dabbling with 22" wheels. 22"? Yes, something totally new for BMX.
I raced BMX for years, and rode some street BMX until my love affair with 'big kid' bikes began. Alas the BMX world is seeing the benefit of a larger wheel, but not TOO large.

http://www.factionbikeco.com

EUREKA!

So many folks are looking for a method to adapt 650B wheels to their rim brake 26" MTB frames. Some people have found the FMF V-Brakes to solve their adapter issues. The FMF brakes have additional brake pad adjustment to accommodate the larger rim diameter and brake track. Alas, FMF has discontinued all bicycle componentry just after this realization was made. There are some still floating in the interwebs, it will just take searching! The Paul Moto-Lite v-brakes have a similar solution with extra pad adjustment. Both of these, along with any other linear pull brakes, leave the inner cable crossing the tire VERY close. Physically moving the actual brake posts, AKA canti studs, is a solution I am taking with my Trek project. I cut off the exsisting studs and replaced them 15mm further from the dropout.
It looks as if I was a little over zealous with my torch. Recently released were these nifty little adapters originally intended for BMX bikes. At 11 and 12 bmxers are quickly growing and usually in between sizes. These adapter were designed to allow the use of J/Expert BMX wheels on Pro sized frames. That may be gibberish to some of you, but these will lend themselves nicely for 650B adaptation of 26" rim-braked frames. I'll be order these for resale shortly. Check back very soon!

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!