REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

650 compared to 29er

3190 Views 24 Replies 13 Participants Last post by derby, Jan 9, 2009

mdb1974

Discussion Starter · Dec 22, 2008

Currently riding a KM. Really like the 29er in comparison to the 26er I used to ride. I am thinking of giving the Haro Beasley a shot, trying out both the ss and the 650b. How do people who have ridden both (650 and 29, not necessarily the models mentioned).

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Wish I Were Riding

· #2 · Dec 22, 2008

I have been riding 29ers for over 4 years. I recently got a 650B SS that I really like. So far I'm happy, but I still have 2 more things to test. (Too bad it going to rain bad all week) I want to ride my 29er again (been on the 650B for about 7 straight rides), to get a comparison. I also want to try a 29er front wheel.

I personally don't think it as a bad idea to give the Haro a try.

MMcG

· #3 · Dec 22, 2008

How tall are you?

I'm 5'9" tall and have ridden a 29er for the last few years. But I've now got a Haro Beasley in to test for www.ridemonkey.com and I'm starting to lean towards the 650b wheelsize for my height. If we didn't get hammered with a boatload of snow, I'd be doing more trail testing over the holidays, but unless something drastic happens that probably won't happen.

But for riders who are in that 5' to 6' range I think the 650b is a viable wheelsize for the right application.

For folks who are 6'3" and up especially - I think that 29" hoops might be more proportional to their body size.

Just my humble opinion.

Davidcopperfield

· #4 · Jan 5, 2009

MMcG said:
For folks who are 6'3" and up especially - I think that 29" hoops might be more proportional to their body size.

Just my humble opinion.

A humble cutoff ? Im' 5'8" and love big hoops and alwys ridden trekking 700c together with 559mm steel rigid and feel way better and faster on 700c and 584mm will not fit in my old Merida Kalahari 2001.
6'3" ought to be on 32" hoops. If 29" can be fitted on 15" frame so 32" on 18" one could be, I want to try them out with proper gearing, which is the major culprit for abandonning 29ers or misjudgements.

MMcG

· #5 · Jan 5, 2009

David - I stated it was a humble opinion. Do you know what that means?

88 rex

· #6 · Jan 6, 2009

Davidcopperfield said:
A humble cutoff ? Im' 5'8" and love big hoops and alwys ridden trekking 700c together with 559mm steel rigid and feel way better and faster on 700c and 584mm will not fit in my old Merida Kalahari 2001.
6'3" ought to be on 32" hoops. If 29" can be fitted on 15" frame so 32" on 18" one could be, I want to try them out with proper gearing, which is the major culprit for abandonning 29ers or misjudgements.

:skep:

I don't understand engrish.

Kirk Pacenti

· #7 · Jan 6, 2009

mdb1974 said:
Currently riding a KM. Really like the 29er in comparison to the 26er I used to ride. I am thinking of giving the Haro Beasley a shot, trying out both the ss and the 650b. How do people who have ridden both (650 and 29, not necessarily the models mentioned).

Well, you may have to take my opinion with a grain of salt because of my obvious interest in the 650B wheel size, but you might also consider the Surly 1x1 for a possible 650B conversion.

I am sure the Beasley is a great bike, though I haven't had a chance to ride one yet. The Surly is available as a frame set and may be a less expensive entry into the 650B game. The other plus to the Surly is that it was practically designed for 650B wheels!
https://flic.kr/p/2039395025
Cheers,

KP

mdb1974

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 6, 2009

Thanks

Kirk Pacenti said:
Well, you may have to take my opinion with a grain of salt because of my obvious interest in the 650B wheel size, but you might also consider the Surly 1x1 for a possible 650B conversion.

I am sure the Beasley is a great bike, though I haven't had a chance to ride one yet. The Surly is available as a frame set and may be a less expensive entry into the 650B game. The other plus to the Surly is that it was practically designed for 650B wheels!
https://flic.kr/p/2039395025
Cheers,

KP

Thanks for your input. I will look into it.

Kirk Pacenti

· #9 · Jan 6, 2009

mdb1974 said:
Thanks for your input. I will look into it.

Feel free to contact me off list anytime, if you'd like more input. You might also be interested to read some of the reviews here.

The "bottom line" has been very representative of the feed back I have been getting privately. With sales approaching 5,000 tires to date (16-18 months), I feel confident you'd experience similar results.

Cheers,

KP

MMcG

· #10 · Jan 6, 2009

I'm riding a Beasley right now and I have to say it is a pretty kickass bike. And it was designed specifically for 650bs - I've got the 1x9 in house and it is well spec'd for the price point IMO.

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Kirk Pacenti

· #11 · Jan 6, 2009

MMcG said:
I'm riding a Beasley right now and I have to say it is a pretty kickass bike. And it was designed specifically for 650bs - I've got the 1x9 in house and it is well spec'd for the price point IMO.

Dang, that is a sweet looking bike! It sure does beat the 1x1 in the looks department!

Cheers,

KP

MMcG

· #12 · Jan 6, 2009

Kirk Pacenti said:
Dang, that is a sweet looking bike! It sure does beat the 1x1 in the looks department!

Cheers,

KP

I'm still curious though about ride characteristics between the two. this Beasley is a strong frame, but I'm wondering if a 1x1 might be a little more "comfortable" since it utilizes a 27.2 post vs. this 31.6 on the Beasley.

helgi

· #13 · Jan 6, 2009

I'm almost 6'3" so a 29er fits me perfectly, but the idea of having a 650B "playbike" on the side really appeals to me.

Thinking of something slack and squishy, like a Heckler or similar, but 26" just seems uncomfortably small when you're used to a 29er, at least up front

mrkaztro

· #14 · Jan 6, 2009

Kirk Pacenti said:
Dang, that is a sweet looking bike! It sure does beat the 1x1 in the looks department!

Cheers,

KP

Good looking bike yes! but with all due respect... Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

rmb

· #15 · Jan 7, 2009

I'll post my 1x1x650b for comparison purposes. I think I may lose in the looks department, although I have some black Luv handles on the way to spice it up.

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steelbike

· #16 · Jan 7, 2009

This is a fine looking bike

The 1x1 handles great as a 26. How do you like it as 650b?

rmb said:
I'll post my 1x1x650b for comparison purposes. I think I may lose in the looks department, although I have some black Luv handles on the way to spice it up.

MMcG

· #17 · Jan 7, 2009

rmb said:
I'll post my 1x1x650b for comparison purposes. I think I may lose in the looks department, although I have some black Luv handles on the way to spice it up.

That 1x1 looks stellar in my opinion!!! Saweet!:thumbsup:

rmb

· #18 · Jan 7, 2009

MMcG said:
That 1x1 looks stellar in my opinion!!! Saweet!:thumbsup:

Thanks, it rides really well. I like the looks of that Haro frame and the cable routing under the top tube. The color is really nice too.

reformed roadie

· #19 · Jan 7, 2009

I'm all for free speech...

...but can we have DC banned from this forum. I am sure there is a 700c trekking forum somewhere that needs another tool to voice their opinion.

I have yet to read a word of his that is anything other that assinine.

He contributes nothing; he comments on things he knows nothing about, since it has come out that he neither owns nor has tried a 650B wheel/bike.

There are people who check this sight for information/opinions/experiences on compatibility and availability of 650B stuff...people who have tried and accepted it, or who are looking to try it...people who are onboard and promoting it...people who don't need to waste time reading emails re: posts DC has soiled.

Where is the troll killer????

On second thought, ridiculing him can be fun, especially re: his 'Engrish'.

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MMcG

· #20 · Jan 7, 2009

I think there may be a feature where you can set some users posts to "ignore" so you don't have to read the DavidCopperfield rambling nonsense. I might have to try that feature.

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