I think my spring project is to get 32 mm tires working on my Rambouillet by changing the current Shimano brakes for Tektro R538's. If I can get this to work then the Rambouillet would be everything I need in a bike. I currently run 32mm Pasellas on my Quickbeam and for general purpose use they are great.
Larry Powers
Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live. - Mark Twain
Subject: [RBW] 650b Rambouillet
From: rthrstrum...@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:17:29 -0800
To: rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com
If I recall correctly the Rambo is not a could candidate for a 650b conversion
becuase it has low bottom bracket to start with. Someone let me know if this is
not true.
Larry Powers
[lots of replies, mostly that it's not possible, or not desirable...]
Larry:
I did this with my 68cm Redwood (functionally identical to the Rambouillet),
because I found that 40-42 mm Hetres would fit. This makes the drop equivalent
to a 21-23 mm tire -- not that different from the 28mm tire around which the
Ram was built. I also ride 175mm cranks on this bike, and sometimes pedal
through corners. Not a big deal, no problems with pedal strike. I did the
conversion because 32mm tires with fenders simply aren't big enough for my
190lbs and commuting load and the terrible, terrible streets here. The Hetres
make a huge difference. I also find that I like the handling of the bike
better with these much wider tires, and that it's more comfortable, although
the bike is so comfortable with narrower tires to begin with that for this
reason alone the change wasn't necessary. There's also a lot more fender
clearance with the Hetres on this bike -- I kept having to readjust my
anonymous old Japanese metal fenders when I was running 700C/32s.
So I think the change might be quite helpful for anyone who needs much wider
tires, and probably not necessary for others. It just depends on your weight
and local road conditions.
One caveat: I do find that the greater diameter of 700C/37mm Paselas causes
them to handle gaps in the pavement and potholes (the ones one can't avoid)
better than the 650Bs, even with Hetres - this even while the Hetres are
otherwise more comfortable. (I say "I find.." because this is simply an
impression -- others undoubtedly have other impressions) Somehow the larger
diameter wheels feel more proportional to me, at 6'6"/190, and to the height of
my bike.
Art
Tacoma
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