The annual Sea Otter festival is always home to new gear, much of it being debuted for the first time. It was no different today, although SRAM chose to tackle their show-and-tell in a different manner than most: instead of the usual media circus out in the sun, they showed us their new 650b sized RISE 40 wheels at their quiet campground high above the Sea Otter venue. The small crew that gathered together to learn about the additional wheel size then hit the trails on the wheels, trails that turned out to be surprisingly fun given how much negative chatter the venue receives about its mountain bike courses.
Wheels could still be considered a relatively new addition to SRAM's component lineup, despite the fact that they already offer both carbon and aluminum rim choices in 26'' and 29'' sizes. Riders will soon have another option to pick from, though, with the July release date of the new 650b sized RISE 40 wheels. Why another wheel size? The answer is two fold: SRAM admits that there is certainly more OE (
original equipment) demand for 650b sized wheels on new bikes than riders looking to make an aftermarket purchase, but the other reason is that they do see enough performance potential from 650b to add it to their roster. Like most, SRAM are happy to admit that they don't expect 650b to take the mountain bike world by storm, but it may be just the ticket for certain bikes on the right terrain. Remembering that the resistance to 29'' wheels was and still is strong, despite the fact that a well designed 29er can put the boots to a 26'' wheeled bike on many trails, makes it clear that many consumers won't be rushing to embrace 650b bikes. With that in mind it is key to remember that the 650b size isn't here to replace our beloved 26'' wheel, or the slightly less beloved 29'' wheel, but rather give riders yet another option that they can use to their advantage. SRAM now offers their RISE 40 wheels in three flavours: 26'', 29'', and the 650b size that you see here.
The new 650b RISE 40 rims utilize the exact same extrusion profile as the standard RISE 40 rims, just in a larger diameter, meaning that the same tubeless kit can be used. Going this route allowed SRAM to manufacture and test prototypes far quicker than if they had produced the new wheels with an entirely different rim shape. Word from SRAM is that the 650b project kicked off in November of last year, a relatively short time ago when talking about brining a new product to life. Consumers can expect to be able to purchase the 650b sized RISE 40 wheels this coming July.
RISE 40 650B details:
• 650b (584 ETRO) rim diameter
• 19mm wide rim bed (internal)
• 24 bladed spokes, 2-cross (front and rear)
• Uses the same hubs as standard RISE 40 wheels
• Axle compatibility front: QR or 15mm thru-axle, rear: QR or 12x142mm
• MSRP $550 USD (same price as the 29'' RISE 40)
• Availability: July, 2012
On The TrailUnlike most product unveilings at Sea Otter, we actually got to hit the dirt with the new goodies that we just spent time discussing. The singletrack around the Sea Otter venue can't be called technical by any stretch of the imagination, but it is incredibly fast, dusty, and full of some great corners. Those three points added up to a fun loop that served as more of an introduction to SRAM's 650b sized offering rather than a true test, but it was enough for us to want to investigate further, a task that we'll undertake on out own trails when we return home.
Our RISE 40 650B wheels were bolted to German made Nicolai test bikes, along with a new 650b Revelation fork and a Monarch RT3 shock that has received tuning updates for 2013 - more on those items soon. The package was new to us, but one thing quickly became very clear: the 650b wheels feel and handle more like standard 26'' wheels than 29'' wheels. While the impression is clearly going to differ from bike to bike, the new RISE 40 equipped Nicolai didn't give us the 'sitting in' feel that is associated with a well designed 29er, but rather felt very much like a standard mountain bike. We honestly can't comment on how the wheel size handles technical terrain - there simply was none of it to be found - but we can see riders being more open to the 650b option given their handling that leans more towards 26'' wheels. The question that needs to be answered in order for us to jump aboard is if the 650b size can come close to offering the traction advantage that 29'' wheels can brag about, but without the geometry challenges associated with fitting the larger wheels to a mountain bike. We're all for more options, but it needs to make sense for us to get behind the idea.
There is bound to be resistance to 650b wheels within the cycling community, but we can only see them gaining more and more traction given that component manufacturers like SRAM and tire companies such as Schwalbe and Kenda are pursuing the concept. 650b wheels and tires have actually been around for many, many years after all, and who is to say that 26'' is the
only size that makes sense, let alone 29" wheels. In the end it all adds up to more choices for riders to pick from - the 26'' wheel isn't going anywhere, but having the option to pick from three wheel sizes is likely going to be our future.
Photos by Adrian Marcouxwww.sram.com
More intermediate standards, whats next? Different wheel sizes, handlebar, axle diameters, stanchions, steerers, accordingly to frames' suspension travel?
I hate 29 ers but I recently rode one of these and it felt perfect. Made me realize 26 is too small, couldn't believe it.
And not only this, but 22" wheels are taking over BMX! Who would have thought this 5 years ago?
PS: I don't get why BMX didn't just go 24" (cruisers already exist for racing) instead of thinking 22" is the sh*t!
The same goes for whenever a new standard is introduced, as soon as someone mentions 29", 650B, ISCG05 (as opposed to Old), Easton's new Stem/Bar standard, 10speed or dropper seatposts, there will always be some idiots who think that they will no longer be able to access the older stuff and "I may as well go and throw my bike in the trash" kind of rhetoric which is ridiculous. 26" wheels, tyres and tubes will still be available for a long time, as will chain guides with BB and ISCGOLD mounts, standard bar and stem diameters 6,7,8,9 speed components (and ways of using 4-9 speed with 10speed components), QR seatclamps and standard seatposts, along with rigid forks for mountain bikes (actually making a comeback DUE to 29" wheels) and canti and V brakes if people want them. No one HAS TO engage with any new standard if they don't want to. Most of that rant was actually aimed @SpecializedSalmon.
I'll reiterate your point: "Let's keep Pinkbike a safe place to express opinions!"
If you look at the ETRTO numbers you can understand the difference in diameter
Name ETRTO or BCD
26" = 559
650C = 571 (used on small road bike and tri bikes)
650B / 27.5" = 584 (what this article is talking about)
700c / 29" = 622 (Road wheels and 29" mountain bikes)
26" = 559mm = 22"
650C = 571mm = 22.5in
650B / 27.5" = 584mm = 23"
700c / 29" = 622mm = 24.5
Front MX rim = 533mm = 21"
24" = 507mm = 20.5"
20" = 406mm =16"
We shall see!
We will wheel size will be as important as frame siZe when selling bikes
5'5 - 5'8 26 / 5'9 - 6' (650b 27.5) 6+ 29r
(of course for xc / all mtn ... As big travel & huge hoops dont mix super well)
But it will be intereseting to try slightly taller front wheel for dh
Its evolution
Get used to it!
I do agree it seems lately that shit changes ( like the explosion of headset/ bb / axle standards lately)
Just for the sake of change
Its very tricky to maintain replacement parts
And its crazy to tell customers that their 2 year old bike is completly out of date
I am looking to get some 650b wheels and tires and give it a go.
3/4" change in radius, or 19.05mm...so the circumference is going to change by roughly 5%.
At say 10mph the wheel will go from doing 129.3 rpm to doing 122.2 rpm..."Significant!" (Based on rim diameter, for you calc checkers out there...)
7 revolutions in 270m...I think I'll be doing nothing about my wheel diameters thank you very much...
There are no backroom meetings or conspiracies controlling the industry, my fellow freerider, this is just free market capitalism at it's best. Be a positive & progressive part of it and get some 650 wheels while the idea is fresh. We can establish this as the new superior standard, all we have to do is buy the stuff and then there will be more choices. Act fast to turn back the tide 29ers, too many riders are hooking up with wagon wheels and we need to stop that virus in it's narrow semi slick tracks before it spreads. Please try 650b
But, does this mean everyone should ride bikes that are all exactly the same, just because it would potentially lower the price? I'm pretty sure the general consensus is "no".
I would think that maybe the huge push of manufacturers could be a result of not enough demand for 26 and 29 together in the same market, and that demand (despite what most pinkbikers may believe) is actually alot higher for 29ers. So manufacturers are trying to push the market that direction so that they can keep their prices down by only producing one wheel size. (Fits with your example of 500 of product A + 500 of product B > 1000 of product A)
It's something I've noticed in the shop I worked at with as well. Without any real pressure from salesmen, our supply of 29ers would be depleted about mid season, while our original purchase of 26ers would generally hang around until the spring of the next year. Hence why my boss began purchasing more 29ers because he was turning a profit.
If that is the case then the 650b most likely is an idiotic idea, simply because the market has shown that it can't support multiple wheel sizes in the mountain biking sector. If that is not the case, and the 29er fad really is just the evil plot of suits in backrooms wearing monopoly hats, then the 650b is nothing more than a welcome idea to an already diverse sport.
The major issue with the industry is that the majority of its customers are PMSing teenage boys who run their mouths and balk at the slightest sign of something new that might 'revolutionize the industry'. Don't get me wrong, I dislike the idea of mountain biking being revolutionized, because, let's face it. Revolutionize is a strong word, typically meaning "Out with the old, in with the new". This isn't a push to remove the 26" wheel from the industry. Leave that to Niner. This is an effort from a dedicated cycling company to bring the best fit options to their riders and customers.
Wheelsize is just as important as having the correct fit in your saddle. Too narrow, too wide, too cushy, too stiff... It all leads to discomfort while riding, which slows us down and makes the ride less enjoyable. 650B is like a 137.5mm wide saddle- wider than 130, not as wide as 143, and perfect for everybody who's too skinny for a 143 but not skinny enough for a 130.
Ride your bike. If you like it, fine. If you're curious or if you don't like it, try out a 650B wheel. From a cycling standpoint, it's worth trying out every option until you find your fit.
And if you simply want to throw fits about new options that are threatening your beloved bike's pride, then... Well... Most everybody on here's already really good at doing that anyway.
Of course.........................That makes sense???
I'll stick with my 26" thanks
The common "26-inch" wheel used on mountain bikes is an American size using a 559 mm rim, traditionally with hooked edges.
There are four other "26-inch" (British designation) or "650" (French) sizes, from the narrow tires to the widest, which traditionally all measured the same outside diameter.[22]
ISO 32-597 (26 x 1 ¼) - 650 - also Schwinn 37-597 (26 x 1 ⅜). No longer made but still in use.
ISO 37-590 (26 x 1 ⅜) - 650A - Common on 3-speed English bicycles. Note same inch-size designation as Schwinn size.
ISO 40-584 (26 x 1 ½) - 650B - French tandems, touring bicycles; enjoying a revival.
ISO 28-571 (26 x 1 ¾) - 650C - Formerly 47mm wide on Schwinns, now narrow.
Widths of tyres and corresponding ISO width designations may vary, though the rim diameter remains the same.[23]
There are lots of different names for wheels of the same size. A '26 inch' wheel has a 559mm B.S.D and a 650b has a 584mm B.S.D.