Are 650B really more comfortable than 700C?

[TonyM]

Hi!

I just come back from a 3 day trip on some gravel trails with some rocks etc...I used 700C wheels with Gravelking SK in 46mm and the ride was quite rough... Wink
I am thinking of getting some 650B wheels with some bigger tires, 2.1" or even 2.25".

But are these 650B wheels with 2.1" tires really much more comfortable than 700C wheels with 46mm tires?
Or do I need 2.25" on the 650B wheels to feel a significant difference?

What is your experience?

[Tychom]

If you're running equivalent tyre pressures then it's surely not going to make an awful lot of difference, if any. What pressure are the 700x46 tyres being run at? Can you go lower (equivalent) with the 650x2.1 tyres?

[TonyM]

I was running 40 psi (with tubes. Tubeless is not an option at the moment at least)

[spdntrxi]

Hi!

I just come back from a 3 day trip on some gravel trails with some rocks etc...I used 700C wheels with Gravelking SK in 46mm and the ride was quite rough... Wink
I am thinking of getting some 650B wheels with some bigger tires, 2.1" or even 2.25".

But are these 650B wheels with 2.1" tires really much more comfortable than 700C wheels with 46mm tires?
Or do I need 2.25" on the 650B wheels to feel a significant difference?

What is your experience?

GKSK are not supple... in 700c or 650b for what that is worth.

Try ReneHerse/Compass or some WTB byways.. I run my WTB byways @ ~30psi they are 650x47... and it's a couch.

[TonyM]

GKSK are not supple... in 700c or 650b for what that is worth.

Try ReneHerse/Compass or some WTB byways.. I run my WTB byways @ ~30psi they are 650x47... and it's a couch.

Thanks for the hint about the suppleness of the tires! For some reason I completely forgot about that point

[Alexbn921]

Bigger tires = more suspension travel = more comfort.
Tires make a big difference in feel. My buddy switched from Gatorskin to GP5000 and was blown away by the increase in speed/comfort.

[spdntrxi]

GKSK are not supple... in 700c or 650b for what that is worth.

Try ReneHerse/Compass or some WTB byways.. I run my WTB byways @ ~30psi they are 650x47... and it's a couch.

Thanks for the hint about the suppleness of the tires! For some reason I completely forgot about that point

all my LBS buddies joyride my G27/WTB byway combo.... they are like WTF it soooooooooooooo nice

I'm getting ready to try some Reneherse BonJon 700x35.. you could go barlow which are 700x38

[toronto-rider]

Your biggest issue is your tire pressure and lack of tubeless.
Once you go tubeless with that kind of tire you would run at 25 to 30 psi.
I have been on GK in 38. I have been running them at 40 PSI. Just dropped to 30 psi on my new wheels. Makes a big difference.

[jfranci3]

46c at 40psi is uuugggee. See if you can drop that pressure.

2.1 is a 54c tire. There's no reason to go that big unless you're going to ridding much lower pressures. You'd probably only lower it 5psi tops, from 32psi to 27psi. 650c is really about cramming more tire into the frame of a bike with road q-factor and decent size front chainring.

[redbicycle]

Try ReneHerse/Compass or some WTB byways.. I run my WTB byways @ ~30psi they are 650x47... and it's a couch.

At what weight are you riding at this PSI? I'm 200lbs and honestly a bit scared to try such a low (in my mind) psi.


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[spdntrxi]

Try ReneHerse/Compass or some WTB byways.. I run my WTB byways @ ~30psi they are 650x47... and it's a couch.

At what weight are you riding at this PSI? I'm 200lbs and honestly a bit scared to try such a low (in my mind) psi.


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this is road psi.. on gravel I drop to 24-25.. you got me weight wise but not by much.. ~185 normally sometimes a smidge more.

[redbicycle]

Try ReneHerse/Compass or some WTB byways.. I run my WTB byways @ ~30psi they are 650x47... and it's a couch.

At what weight are you riding at this PSI? I'm 200lbs and honestly a bit scared to try such a low (in my mind) psi.


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this is road psi.. on gravel I drop to 24-25.. you got me weight wise but not by much.. ~185 normally sometimes a smidge more.

In going to give it a try today. I have always been in the "pump it up until it's hard and add a bit more camp." I need to fix mind with these fat tubless sausages wrapped around a 650b.


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[redbicycle]

this is road psi.. on gravel I drop to 24-25.. you got me weight wise but not by much.. ~185 normally sometimes a smidge more.

I tried 45 rear / 40 front today on 650x47 specialized pathfinder pro. It was a very smooth ride. I didn't feel under psi at all.


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[spdntrxi]

this is road psi.. on gravel I drop to 24-25.. you got me weight wise but not by much.. ~185 normally sometimes a smidge more.

I tried 45 rear / 40 front today on 650x47 specialized pathfinder pro. It was a very smooth ride. I didn't feel under psi at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

that still seems like alot.. let you could go 40 rear/35 front

[mentok]

GKSK are not supple... in 700c or 650b for what that is worth.

True story. I heard so many good things about GKSK but I'm not impressed so far. Rough ride and relatively poor puncture protection. Shame, because they look so nice...