I'm having a hard time finding a fast 650b semi slick for fast dry courses (smooth to very rocky gravel, dry single trail, and some tarmac to link everything together on longer outings). Is anything on the market, maybe with a file thread on the center, or similar. Doesn't need to be super tough against punctures, I'm after something fast and supple.

Almost considering to shave down a knobbie already ...

Thanks.

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Bikes: Raceur, Beateur

Read almost to the end of the Internet, with little to show for. Something like a Conti Speed King or Schwalbe Furious Fred would be awesome. In the meantime I'll probably try a Kenda Karma, if I can find it listed somewhere.

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Bikes: Raceur, Beateur

Quasi-Moto?

Wouldn't really call the Quasi-Moto a semi slick?

Anyway Vee Rubber seems to be coming with models:

VRB-316 (Speedster) 650Bx1.95
VRB-323 (X-C-X) 650Bx1.95
VRB-325 (Vee12) 650Bx2.10

Wondering about availability, though.

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Bikes: Raceur, Beateur

I never said it was, just that it might be suitable for for what you were describing - it's pretty much the only 650B XC tyre that's anything like a Furious Fred or Maxxlite etc.

If you really don't need any tread, there are plenty of nice tyres aimed randonneuring. Will any of those do?

Finally Panaracer Driver Pro 650B looks promising.

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Bikes: Raceur, Beateur

I fail to see the point of riding 650b semi-slicks. Your wheels would have a similar (if not smaller) diameter than 26" wheels with Continental Race King 2.2 tires, which are fast-rolling high-volume tires (preferable to semi-slicks under almost any circumstances).

Moving to 650b just to make your wheels smaller by your choice of tires is nonsense.

The Pana Driver Pro 650B is spec'd at 2.22, so I can hardly see how they would make a smaller wheel than a 26 x 2.2

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Bikes: Raceur, Beateur

Panaracer Driver Pro height: 50mm

Continental Race King 2.2 height: 56mm

650b is actually 27", not 27.5", so there's only a 1 inch difference between 26" and a 650b wheels.

Even picking a semi-slick tire that's wider than most, you'd still lose half the difference you had gained moving to 650b.

With other tires you mentioned as an alternative in your second post (such as the Continental Speed Kings, which are about 44mm tall), the difference would disappear completely.

Ok, there are valid reasons that a cyclist would choose a larger diameter rim and a lower profile tire. I thought this was weight weenies, where the pursuit of optimising minutiae was encouraged?...

There really isn't quite the same selection of 650b tyre styles - yet... Tyres seem to be focused most heavily at the trail riders so far IMO. This is simply why I suggested the Quasi-Moto as a reasonable alternative until more race-orientated tyres become available.