I am 6'1" and ride a 63 CM frame copied from a 1940s Rene Herse. I selected 650b for the bike because even with such a large frame, 650b is the only way to get 42mm tires with fenders and no toe clip overlap. (I know Grant says overlap is no big deal, and he's right, but if I can have everything I want AND no overlap, I'll take it.) This is among the best handling, best feeling, and (IMO) best looking bikes I've ever had, so I see no real reason to switch to back to 700c above a certain frame size.
Arguments about weight, rolling resistance, moment of inertia, etc. are unpersuasive for me simply because I'm a tourist and speed/ acceleration are pretty far down my list. Having said that, I don't find these wheels significantly slower or faster than anything else -- although all that weight is noticeable as compared to, say, a great pair of racing tubulars. Among other things, we should keep in mind that the outside diameter of a 650b/42mm tire is about the same as a 700c/23mm tire, so we're not technically using smaller wheels anyway! -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
