Why 650b Wheels Are Better For Gravel

[@christopherrahilly8425]

I love my 650b I have three wheel sets, one with slicks one medium tread and one full knobby. They are so comfortable, and on hills they just are way better than 700c. Perhaps the best part is the comfort, and comfort equals more riding so for events I do like ultra distance bike packing and gravel you just can't beat them.

[@nilom04]

What slicks model&size do you recommend for these 650B wheels?

[@DaveNoakes]

Perfection!

[@burton158c]

Seriously Dave, every video I've watched that you put out is good! You are just an entertaining dude. I also struggle with mental health and your content makes my days better.

[@DaveNoakes]

Thank you Andrew for those kind words. Glad my vlogs help improve your day…your comment certainly improved mine. 🙏🏽

[@burton158c]

You're welcome! Great to hear

[@lfate8017]

Love your blogs, waffling and all.

[@DaveNoakes]

Thank you

[@malcontent_1]

... 650b run at low-ish pressures also seems to make sense for an urban commuter on our crappy roads here in the SF Bay Area

[@goonetom]

Excellent summary - and funny too ;-) I use my 650 here in Switzeland even on Multi-Mountainpass-Tours on tarmac and leave a lot of roadies behind me. They're not sluggish at all. I have another very light 700 wheelset - but I nearly never change to them. For races yes - but only for that. For all everyday touring - 650's are better for me. And - I did a circumnavigate around Iceland this April (mostly on tarmac, with long days) - I did take the 650is because they are lighter and more durable. They did a perfect job!

[@DaveNoakes]

Thank you

[@malcontent_1]

To mirror what @Andrew Stief said, I always look forward to your videos and I'm positive we're not alone. Thank you, Dave!

[@KBBMX]

Your so blessed for havin so much green lane around you.... Mecca for bikes

[@Bigsbeee]

Great vid Dave - 20k good lad !

[@DaveNoakes]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@robertwalker7496]

Exactly what I'm doing! Love my fast 700c gravel bike but also want a 650b wheelset for shredding all dirt singletrack and gravel- so building up a Battaglin gravel frame with chunky tires, a flat handlebar, and dropper post :)

[@DaveNoakes]

Perfect pair of bikes!

[@macho_burrito]

the music in this is rad... so is the other other stuff but that's always rad... the music is new

[@DaveNoakes]

I did try something new with the music, glad you liked it. 🙏🏽

[@richardpeet6829]

I have both a 27.5" and 29" wheelsets for my hardtail that I also use on gravel. All four have 2.22" tires. I use 27.5" for gravel. 29" techy single track. Then also 29" front / 27.5" rear for the slacker setup that loves the real sketchy stuff.

[@DaveNoakes]

Sounds perfect, what frame are you running?

[@andyw3091]

Love my 650/47 (30psi) wheels on my Topstone 👍

[@DaveNoakes]

Sounds rad!

[@MrSterlinghayes]

Dave I love the sunglasses you’re wearing here. Which are they?

[@DaveNoakes]

Think they are by smith optics.

[@andrewnorris5415]

Great vid. Summed it all up well.

[@DaveNoakes]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@davidbuckland5976]

Great video, thank you 😊

[@DaveNoakes]

Thanks for watching

[@bootsauce47]

Having two gravel bikes one Carbon 700x 45c and a steel 650b x 50. My experience is similar 700 for straight plane and 650 for close quarters. Are they interchangeable in function, yeah for sure! I feel with the 700 bike I should be posting some results on Strava or something or other. When I ride my 650, I definitely have a nicer it is what it is chilled ride. Both bikes are shod with Pirelli Gravel M tires.The 5mm extra do make the ride more plush for 650b. Strangely enough they both weigh roughly the same. I do like my carbon bike, but the steel bike doesn’t beat me up. So if I had to ditch one of them say bye-bye to my Giant Revolt Advanced 2. Dave you’re a BRO. I’d like to share a pint one day. Maybe organize a ride called THE DIRTY DN a ride and pint. PS I love carbon wheels, forks.

[@DaveNoakes]

That’s pretty much my exact feelings on it. I also have steel and carbon bikes but will be switching the steel one for the new headlands so the bikes feel more similar. Love you ride idea! Im in! I really need to try to plan a bit of a ride this summer!

[@kobakakhidze-x4g]

Gravel with 650b is a near universal kind of bike, can be used in 90% of normal situations, as well as for travel to middle distances with some special tires.

[@DaveNoakes]

I agree 1000000% but I have just put some 700s on 😂

[@kobakakhidze-x4g]

To be honest I have 2 gravels, on first use 700s, on second - large 650b...

[@DaveNoakes]

This is what I’ve been doing for a while….I tend to use 650 more in winter around here but the 45c 700s have been getting lots of action.

[@kobakakhidze-x4g]

In fact, me too, 650b is for not so good routes...

[@godismeme272]

What about 650b with a Maxxis Receptor ? To squeak out a little bit more speed on the flat.

[@DaveNoakes]

I’m sponsored by the lovely folks at goodyear so it’s only their tyres for me.

[@godismeme272]

@@DaveNoakes thank you warmest regards

[@markjthomson]

Great summary, but my bike has a HUGE issue that prevents 650b.... rim brakes... such is life, it will take up to a 50mm 700c anyway so I reckon I'm pretty well covered.

[@thomasmarlow1254]

I like my Kona rove with 650b z 47 for commuting over my jamis road bike with 700c x 25 the 650b is so plush and absorbs all the cracks, pot holes and I can cut thru paths and rough alleys, but on distance riding I choose my road bike

[@rachelbrodie7932]

I thought you fell off, was holding my breath for the screams 😂

[@pierrehenri2297]

Am running 700 with 40c tyres Goodyear Peak🤘🏼 for the winter and I am going to try the Panaracer gravelking sk 43 maxing it on my Diverge for the summer! No money in sight for a set a 650b’s 🤣🤣🤣🤘🏼

[@kevp68]

What do you think of 650b x 50mm slicks for road riding?

[@DaveNoakes]

Not bad but also not that good imo. I’d rather a 700c for road…the 650 is just not it for me on the road. That said…a few years ago they were all I had and they worked well enough.

[@anothervisionofthings]

It will depend of the wheels & tires that you chose

[@gazza5155]

Ever tried the goodyear peak tyres?

[@DaveNoakes]

Yep sure have, my go to tyre for 700c

[@basengelblik5199]

This all depends on your size. Being 1.93 at 90kg, the 622mm rims are the way to go. When you are smaller a 585mm rim might be better, and if you are tiny, a 559mm wheel might suit you best. 622 = commonly known as 28, 29 or 700c 585= 27.5 for some vague reason. 559 = 26

[@andrewnorris5415]

I do think bikes should scale up in all areas. So an XL frame should have room for wider tyres. Small frame should be 650b focused geom.

[@tmayberry7559]

I am 6 ft and find that an XL is too big because of two things: top length roughly 58cm or 59 and stand over is too high ( comes within a 1/2 of my jewels) A large frame with a tt of 21 or 22 inch length is better for me. You can always add with a large frame. You can subtract stem length but you can't subtract stand over with a XL frame

[@MrDonaldstepp]

I know it’s antique but the 630 (27”) and 26” ( 590) also feel pretty good even with less tire choices. Really I think it’s worth a try if you get the chance to ride one

[@joffbrown]

But what would you have on your mtb 29er or 650b ?

[@DaveNoakes]

I’ve got 29er

[@sztruharrobert]

I will try 650*47 or 50 after 700*40 :)

[@kevinlyon9501]

I'm still debating 700 or 650 for a new wheel set so I can rid of the stans arch rims I have now, and still haven't cleaned my bike🤣

[@SLAYS863]

perfect summary...650b they just shine offroad! I love mine so much!

[@DaveNoakes]

Thank you. Glad to hear you’re enjoying them!

[@SamRothwell-zz7nm]

I've got 700c on my gravel bike but run 27.5s on my hard tail. What are those ear buds you're riding with and do they stay in?

[@abritandhisbikeinpoland6802]

I still find it funny watching youtubers in the UK talking about gravel, all I've seen in this film is Devon red mud, and a few stones thrown in for good measure! I've told you before, come to Poland, you will become very p...... off with gravel very quickly, you cant escape it!

[@newoldsteel]

Not gonna lie when I pull out my 650b gravel bike, I can keep up just fine with roadies in fact pass them often, but my fitness is better than a lot of them so yea maybe I’ll get demolished by a fit 700c rider.

[@bubblesezblonde]

9:01~I don't think wheel/tyre size matters when on a Greggs run....

[@DaveNoakes]

😂😂

[@solarman6873]

SO 650 NOT AS FAST BIG DEEL THR THE MOST COMFEE AND STABLE TYR OUT THR

[@DaveNoakes]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@aauden]

700c = faster...650b = more fun :-)

[@DaveNoakes]

Very true! Unless it’s a rocky descent then it’s 650s that are faster.

[@JoeCincotta307]

Waffle away, mate

[@DaveNoakes]

Always 😂

[@UnhingedHarry]

650B are better for wheelies, jumps and sik skids !!

[@chacmool2581]

Why not 26" then? It worked great for decades until you took the industry bait of 650b and "the gravel bike".

[@DaveNoakes]

Progression.👍🏼

[@chacmool2581]

@@DaveNoakes Let correct that for you: Progre$$ion.

[@DaveNoakes]

@@chacmool2581 😂having ridden 26” I can definitely say I prefer 650/27.5

[@chacmool2581]

@@DaveNoakes And that's exactly it. It's subjective, but hype, marketing and keeping up with the Joneses certainly impact our 'likes'.

[@dafred9898]

So what I gather from this video is 700 by 32 is the clear winner. That of course has nothing to do with the four fact I have four 700s I have in the closet.