It seems 2013 is very 29er centric for the main Specialized/Trek/Giant/Cannondale players. It seems most of them are very heavily invested in the 29er wheelsize and therefore haven't offered a 650b option for fear of diluting there 2013 bikes. I'm super disappointed Cannondale don't even offer a 26' hardtail in most markets (except you lucky Europeans).

So the question is will they (and specifically Cannondale) be offering some 650b options in 2014 do you think?

I have a 26' Cannondale Flash and would love to try 650b. If they brought out a 650b Flash that would be amazing. I'm 179cm with shortish legs and have never felt comfortable on a 29er.

650b wheels fit the current flash frame and the lefty fork.
Loads of people have their bikes set up like that...

Unfortunately I'm on a Headshok. Also my understanding is the rear clearance on a 26" Flash is a bit tight with 650b? Thanks

Flash 26" rear is good, at least the aluframe what we tested on work. So get a Lefty and new wheelset

_________________
/jonas l
http://cerrol.wordpress.com (my cyclingblog)

Thanks cerro.
Dumb question but you can go from Flash 26" -> 650b okay with Lefty fork
Can you also go Flash 29er -> 650b as well?
I guess the geometry would be better on the 26" right?

650b and Lefty original is good.
Flash 29er to 650b works but long chainstays. Can get some more travel out of your fork thou.
yes, think the 26" will be better to convert

_________________
/jonas l
http://cerrol.wordpress.com (my cyclingblog)

I have tried Crest 650B with Racing Ralp 2.25 in my Flash and I'm not confident it will have enough clearance ....

That's what I hear.

My original question is whether Cannondale will release a specific 650b model, much like the Scott Scale which has specific 26, 650b and 29 frames.

In my opinion they should!

My guess is they won't do the hardtail in 650B. They ditched the 26", why bring in another wheelsize again to further confuse?

A Scalpel 650B on the other hand, that would be cool.

Trigger 650b is the bike I want for next year

_________________
/jonas l
http://cerrol.wordpress.com (my cyclingblog)

The Cannondale rep was in the store today and confirmed the rumor for 2014 but didn't know what model. I hope Trigger, Scalpel (26" wheel design) or Flash. Looking at the market with more longer 150mm bike in 27.5 my guess would be Jekyll.

I think and I hope cannondale will do new scalpel and trigger frames in 650b size.
Now I have a scalpel 650b and a flash 29, I prefer the scalpel in almost all rides

I'd like a 650B Flash with XX1 and NOT Sram brakes.