The 650B Test: Getting Rolling

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The 650B Test: Getting Rolling

 The newest development in gravel travel these days is centered around the 650B wheel size. Bikes are being developed with this combination of fat rubber and smaller wheel diameter in mind. We reported on WTB’s new tire for this new niche last February. Now, WTB, Velocity USA, and Stan’s have collaborated to help us out with a wheel set to explore the nuances and ride benefits of fat tires on 650B rims.

Because we have a lot to talk about and share with you, the wheel set will be broken down into three separate posts.

• The WTB Horizon Tires
• The Velocity Aileron rims
• The Velocity Convertible Mountain Rear Hub

Once we get that posted and out to you, we will then get into my first impressions of how a 650B wheel set can transform a bike that had been using 700c wheels. While bikes like Cannondale’s Slate, Open Cycles “UP” model, and 3T’s new “Exploro” bike all come with 650B wheels shod with fat rubber, we feel it will be a much more accessible and relevant review if we convert a 700c bike. It is our opinion that this will be where the brunt of the wheels in 650B size will end up being used.

So, stay tuned for the next post where we will take a closer look at the Velocity Aileron rims.

Note: The component parts of these wheels were sent to Riding Gravel by the various brands/manufacturers for test/review at no charge. We are not being bribed, nor paid, for this review and we will strive to give our honest thoughts and opinions throughout.

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