What 650b wheels should I buy?

[GmanUK65]

I have a gravel bike that uses 650b through-axel wheels (obviously with disc brake rotors). The groupset is GRX 1x11. I have some WTB wheels on my bike atm for offroad/trail riding.

I need some wheels for mainly road use so would be using thinner tyres with little grip but not as thin as road bicycle tyres. Obviously the wheel rims will have to be narrower, but how narrow? They would have to be through-axel too.

 

[Ajax Bay]

The rims (for the purpose described - "thinner tyres" road use) would best have an internal rim width of 19mm. 584-19 or 584-21
This would allow you to ride (say) 32mm up to 37mm.
Sheldon's rule of thumb is tyre width divided by inner rim width is best >1.4<2.0

 

[Cycleops]

Don’t know what the availability of Narrow 650b rims/wheels might be but you will struggle to find tyres less than 45c in that size. It’s a size originally introduced for mountain bikes but was also adopted by a few manufacturers for some gravel models.

 

[I like Skol]

What width tyres are you running on the current wheels? You may well be able to fit a 700c wheel with a 28 or 32mm width tyre and still have a similar overall diameter. This will also maintain the gearing inches as otherwise the reduction in wheel diameter will make the gears slightly more 'spinney'.

 

[fossyant]

700c wheels should fit if using narrower tyres.

 

[fossyant]

Although you'll need to check out your through axel width as well.

 

[T4tomo]

I need some wheels for mainly road use so would be using thinner tyres with little grip but not as thin as road bicycle tyres. Obviously the wheel rims will have to be narrower, but how narrow? They would have to be through-axel too.

No is not at all obvious.
Why not try some say 32mm slicks on your existing wheels, pretty sure they will fit with no issues, its not like you are aiming for 23-25mm

 

[fossyant]

What size tyres are you currently running - I'm assuming fat given it's a 650b gravel bike.

 

[I like Skol]

From the Nukeproof website; "Nukeproof Digger 27.5” Road Plus or 700C compatible"...... "Max Tyre Size: 27.5"x47C/700Cx42C".

https://nukeproof.com/products/2021-digger

 

[Elybazza61]

Not cheap but Rene Herse does 650x38c;

https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop/components/tires/650b/650bx38-loup-loup-pass/

And Schwalbe does 650bx40c G-One all-round and I think they do the speed in a 30/1.20

 

[cougie uk]

I think you might be getting confused ? You can ride a gravel bike with really chunky tyres on a 650B wheel.

If you're not using fat tyres you can use 700c wheels and slimmer tyres.

Hunt wheels have been good and they'd probably guide you too.

 

[GmanUK65]

From the Nukeproof website; "Nukeproof Digger 27.5” Road Plus or 700C compatible"...... "Max Tyre Size: 27.5"x47C/700Cx42C".

https://nukeproof.com/products/2021-digger

That's the bike I've got. I think I will go for the 700cc wheels but will have to have through-axel

 

[vickster]

That's the bike I've got. I think I will go for the 700cc wheels but will have to have through-axel

Most 700c disc brake wheels are T/A

 

[GmanUK65]

I'm not going to bother with wheels now. They're too expensive for how much I will use them

 

[Cycleops]

I think you'll find they're pretty much essential on a bike