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I need a shove - B-side, Wanga or Hooligan

3174 Views 33 Replies 5 Participants Last post by IF52, Jan 28, 2011

IF52

Discussion Starter · Dec 21, 2009

I've been lurking here for a while now. After talking to Rody about it some, I've become interested in the 650b wheel size and want to give it a try. I initially thought I would jump in with both feet and pop for a Kuaii 6-5-0 or maybe a Spooky Horor Taxi, but now think maybe try a more modest build first to see if I really like the wheel size or not. I followed that logic with 29er, so why not here.

So, with that in mind, I've narrowed it down to 3 and I'd really appreciate some input from those who have tried them:

Soma B-Side - Nice steel frame, designed from the get-go for 650b. But the XL frame size is kind of tiny for me at ~6'5" or so. I'd wind up with nearly a foot of post exposed which makes me a bit nervous. Any tall folks on a XL?

Voodoo Wanga - Again, a nice steel frame and a bit longer TT than the Bokor. But from what I've read here the sliders have to be all the way back to even work well with a QuasiMoto. And how much does the BB height increase?

Soul Hooligan - A departure for me since I haven't done aluminum since my 92 S-works M2. Nice long top tube and the eccentric BB can help bring the BB height down a little bit if need be. Soul indicates 650B works with their frames. Anybody got good info on what tires fit?

Thanks for any helpful input

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shanem

· #2 · Dec 21, 2009

I kind of jumped in with both feet after mulling the choices around because in the end if I didn't like the wheel size I could throw 26" wheels in the frame and just have a bike w/ a somewhat lower bottom bracket

IF52

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 21, 2009

Which frame? I don't want to take a chance going with something that will drop the BB too much as I don't want to be banging pedals all the time. I ran into that with my 29er (Zion 737ebb). If I had the Reba set at 80mm I was pinging off roots and rocks all the time.

shanem

· #4 · Dec 21, 2009

I'm getting a Spooky Darkside but built to handle 650b wheels. I haven't gotten it yet so I can't honestly say how it would actually work out. I would say that you're probably going to be in a tough spot to find something economical (ie - not custom) that would fit you that well being 6'5". I don't know what kind of time frame you're looking at but once I get my Darkside I will be trying it with both 26 and 650b wheels

IF52

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 21, 2009

The Wanga and Hooligan are both available in a 21 c-t and have 24.5 and 24.8 TTs respectively. My old IF Deluxe is a large and these days feels too small with a TT about an inch shorter than the two bikes listed. The TT on my Zion is a little more than 24.5" and the front end taller than the old IF, and is way more comfortable to me now.

I looked a bit and see somebody listed the BB height of a Wanga with 650b at 12.5" with a Velvet at 100mm

MMcG

· #6 · Dec 21, 2009

If you are interested in the Soul Cycles frames - don't forget that the Soul Icon is a go for 650b wheels too.

MMcG

· #7 · Dec 21, 2009

If you are interested in the Soul Cycles frames - don't forget that the Soul Icon is a go for 650b wheels too.

MMcG

· #8 · Dec 21, 2009

Are you planning on running gears or going Single Speed?

If Single Speed - don't forget that a Surly 1x1 works great with 650bs.

IF52

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 21, 2009

Gears.

Is the Icon available in anything larger than an 18"?

88 rex

· #10 · Dec 21, 2009

IF52 said:
Soul Hooligan - A departure for me since I haven't done aluminum since my 92 S-works M2. Nice long top tube and the eccentric BB can help bring the BB height down a little bit if need be. Soul indicates 650B works with their frames. Anybody got good info on what tires fit?

Neo 2.3 fits comfortably. I have this frame in 19" and clearance is not an issue. I only ran it with 26" rear tire, but I tested it out just to make sure it fits. The frame is REALLY nice, IMO. I ran mine geared and SS and the only thing I would change is the EBB over to a Carver EBB or Bushnell. I never had serious issues with the BB but it wasn't my favorite feature. Cheap, stout, reliable, and good clearance.

The B-side is a good looking frame. Steel, solid, geared, SS......can't really go wrong with this frame. I don't know anything about XL bikes and being 6'5" though.

Voodoo.....no experience here.

MMcG

· #11 · Dec 21, 2009

The Icon only comes in those two frame sizes.

How much rear tire clearance do you want/need?

I set up a Carver 96er with dual 650bs and it was affordable to do so.

MMcG

· #12 · Dec 21, 2009

88 rex said:
Neo 2.3 fits comfortably. I have this frame in 19" and clearance is not an issue. I only ran it with 26" rear tire, but I tested it out just to make sure it fits. The frame is REALLY nice, IMO. I ran mine geared and SS and the only thing I would change is the EBB over to a Carver EBB or Bushnell. I never had serious issues with the BB but it wasn't my favorite feature. Cheap, stout, reliable, and good clearance.

The B-side is a good looking frame. Steel, solid, geared, SS......can't really go wrong with this frame. I don't know anything about XL bikes and being 6'5" though.

Voodoo.....no experience here.

88 rex - could you snap a pic or two of your Hooligan sporting the 650b hoop in back with the 2.3 Neo moto?

I'd love to see how much room with that frame.

Thanks in advance.

Mark

IF52

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 21, 2009

MMcG said:
The Icon only comes in those two frame sizes.

How much rear tire clearance do you want/need?

Not a ton, I just don't want to run minimal clearance and have to worry about any runout causing issues. I see folks post up pictures of frames with almost no clearance stating, yep 650b fits.

Frankly I'd be happy running the Quasi anyway.

MMcG

· #14 · Dec 21, 2009

What travel fork do you want to run?

I paired my Carver 96er up with a 145mm Nixon Comp and it feels great.

However rear clearance is somewhat tight - although I did a bit of riding in the snow for about 20 minutes yesterday and it was a non factor with a Quasi Moto 2.0 in back.

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IF52

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 21, 2009

That looks *****in'

MMcG

· #16 · Dec 21, 2009

Thanks.

Davis also had a few 650b specific AL frames too (truly built for 650b wheels). Maybe he has one in your size.

88 rex

· #17 · Dec 22, 2009

IF52 said:
Frankly I'd be happy running the Quasi anyway.

With a Quasi you can just about get by with almost any 26" hardtail frame.

MMcG....I'll have to snap some pics tomorrow. It'll have to be a front wheel with a long skewer though since my only rear wheel has a Quasi on. I'll snap both though just for reference. (I've been meaning to take some new pics of the Flash all 650b'd anyway:thumbsup: )

MMcG

· #18 · Dec 22, 2009

Thanks rex!

88 rex

· #19 · Dec 22, 2009

3

I didn't get any shots with the Neo because I was in a rush, but just add an extra mm or two to each side. These are all with a Quasi on a ZTR.

Seatstays

Chainstays

More than enough for a Quasi, and ample for a 2.3 Neo.....although I don't think I'd run a 2.3 Neo on the rear just because I don't like big grippy tires on the rear. I like the rear to be a little loose in the turns with enough bite for sketchy climbs. The Neo bites too much every where, which is why I like it on the front.

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MMcG

· #20 · Dec 22, 2009

Awesome photos rex!!! thanks so much - you da man!

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