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Main
Date: 10 Sep 2006 00:07:44
From: Gooserider
Subject: Will a big company make a 650B bike?
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The re-emergence of the 650B size is being spurred on by small builders,
Rivendell chief among them. QBP is carrying the Bleriot frameset and 650B
wheels, some even built with dynohubs. QBP is a large distributor of parts
to bike shops, maybe the largest(I'm just speculating). If a company as big
as QBP will gamble on it, a major bike maker building a "country bike" would
seem to be inevitable. The major makers have been keen to hop on
"underground" trends----fixed gears, single speeds, and choppers come to
mind. So which company will do it? Trek, Bianchi?
Mike
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Date: 13 Sep 2006 10:58:58
From: bfd
Subject: Re: Will a big company make a 650B bike?
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k Hickey wrote:
> "Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> >k Hickey wrote:
>
> >> I've done a number of 26" road/touring bikes, but don't see a crushing
> >> need for anything between that and a 700c version.
> >
> >I assume this means that requests for custom Habanero frames designed
> >for ISO 684-mm wheels are few and far between?
>
> Yeah, the phone's not exactly ringing off the wall with people looking
> for them. IIRC, I've had one potential customer mention it once (but
> didn't pursue that approach).
>
> I just checked and QBP (the biggest bike parts distributor in the US
> by far) doesn't carry a single 650b fork. They have exactly ONE model
> of rim in stock (and that one is an Off Center rear rim, so it's not
> going to do most people much good). They have exactly three models of
> tires, all wire bead Panaracers with diameters between 33mm and 40mm
> (one is rated for 75psi, the others, 40-50psi).
>
> I'm not going to hold my breath that this spec is going to take over
> the world - you have to have parts and service availability to make it
> viable, and it appears that's not the case. It's probably a st
> move for a small builder to jump into a micro-niche ket to provide
> something that's unique... but I'm not planning to join them in that
> very, very small pond. ;-)
>
k,
Thanks for the info, its very informative. Since QBP is the largest
bike parts distributors its interesting that their stock is so limited.
What you didn't mention was that they do have complete framesets
(Rivendell Bleriot), designed to fit 650B (584mm) wheels, in stock.
This is different than just offering a 650B fork, but its something.
Further, Matt Grimm at Kogswell is now coming out with 650B (584mm)
bikes, his "Porteur" framesets designed to be a "modern all-rounder:"
http://www.kogswell.com/PR.html
Matt has stated that he will be offering 650B forks and will soon have
fenders and another new tire.
Moreover, Sun and Velocity are making and selling 650B rims. Velocity
is also selling rims directly to wheel builders.
J&B, another distributor, is also distributing the 650B rims.
Specialized and Bianchi, two large mfrs, who are known to be on top of
all the trends are supposedly interested.
Finally, Interbike is right around the corner, it should be interesting
to see what shows up.
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Date: 12 Sep 2006 19:53:05
From: Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman
Subject: Re: Will a big company make a 650B bike?
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k Hickey wrote:
> "Gooserider" <Gooserider@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
>
> >"k Hickey" <k@habcycles.com> wrote
>
> >> It'll never happen, IMHO. There are just too few resources for tires
> >> / rims out there to support such a thing. Nor is there an
> >> overwhelming need for it either.
> >>
> >> Personally, I think the bike industry already has MORE than enough
> >> "standards" and letting some of the more ancient rarely used ones die
> >> off is a good thing, IMHO.
> >
> >So, if the size doesn't see adoption by major companies, could it still have
> >an effect? There have been 26" wheeled touring/adventure bikes made by big
> >companies in the past(Raleigh I know for sure). I believe they fill a need,
> >especially for smaller frame sizes, to prevent toe/wheel overlap.Surly
> >offers it with the Long Haul Trucker, and sells a lot of those. I like the
> >idea of a "country bike". It just doesn't necessarily have to be 650B.
>
> Big difference - go into any bike shop and you should be able to find
> 26" tires in smooth and knobbie style. You'd be able to find a rim in
> the middle of a self-supported tour. I doubt you could find one shop
> out of 100 that would have any 650B tires or rims in stock.
>
> I've done a number of 26" road/touring bikes, but don't see a crushing
> need for anything between that and a 700c version.
I assume this means that requests for custom Habanero frames designed
for ISO 684-mm wheels are few and far between?
--
Tom Sherman - Here, not there.
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Date: 12 Sep 2006 21:49:00
From: Mark Hickey
Subject: Re: Will a big company make a 650B bike?
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"Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com > wrote:
>k Hickey wrote:
>> I've done a number of 26" road/touring bikes, but don't see a crushing
>> need for anything between that and a 700c version.
>
>I assume this means that requests for custom Habanero frames designed
>for ISO 684-mm wheels are few and far between?
Yeah, the phone's not exactly ringing off the wall with people looking
for them. IIRC, I've had one potential customer mention it once (but
didn't pursue that approach).
I just checked and QBP (the biggest bike parts distributor in the US
by far) doesn't carry a single 650b fork. They have exactly ONE model
of rim in stock (and that one is an Off Center rear rim, so it's not
going to do most people much good). They have exactly three models of
tires, all wire bead Panaracers with diameters between 33mm and 40mm
(one is rated for 75psi, the others, 40-50psi).
I'm not going to hold my breath that this spec is going to take over
the world - you have to have parts and service availability to make it
viable, and it appears that's not the case. It's probably a st
move for a small builder to jump into a micro-niche ket to provide
something that's unique... but I'm not planning to join them in that
very, very small pond. ;-)
k Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame
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Date: 12 Sep 2006 20:17:04
From: bfd
Subject: Re: Will a big company make a 650B bike?
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"Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1158115985.791048.270890@d34g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
>
>> I assume this means that requests for custom Habanero frames designed
> for ISO 684-mm wheels are few and far between?
>
So how many companies/builders make a frames designed for 650B (584mm)
wheels? Rivendell, Douglas Brooks/Hampsten, Mike Barry/iposa,
Jitensha/Ebisu/Shula, and probably another 1/2 dozen or so. Sounds like the
fad has begun....
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Date: 10 Sep 2006 06:56:29
From: Mark Hickey
Subject: Re: Will a big company make a 650B bike?
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"Gooserider" <Gooserider@mouse-potato.com > wrote:
> The re-emergence of the 650B size is being spurred on by small builders,
>Rivendell chief among them. QBP is carrying the Bleriot frameset and 650B
>wheels, some even built with dynohubs. QBP is a large distributor of parts
>to bike shops, maybe the largest(I'm just speculating). If a company as big
>as QBP will gamble on it, a major bike maker building a "country bike" would
>seem to be inevitable. The major makers have been keen to hop on
>"underground" trends----fixed gears, single speeds, and choppers come to
>mind. So which company will do it? Trek, Bianchi?
It'll never happen, IMHO. There are just too few resources for tires
/ rims out there to support such a thing. Nor is there an
overwhelming need for it either.
Personally, I think the bike industry already has MORE than enough
"standards" and letting some of the more ancient rarely used ones die
off is a good thing, IMHO.
k Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame
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Date: 10 Sep 2006 14:54:09
From: Gooserider
Subject: Re: Will a big company make a 650B bike?
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"k Hickey" <k@habcycles.com > wrote in message
news:o968g2dos51lebqp59a7eeopdkjj91d3c2@4ax.com...
> "Gooserider" <Gooserider@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
>
>> The re-emergence of the 650B size is being spurred on by small
>> builders,
>>Rivendell chief among them. QBP is carrying the Bleriot frameset and 650B
>>wheels, some even built with dynohubs. QBP is a large distributor of
>>parts
>>to bike shops, maybe the largest(I'm just speculating). If a company as
>>big
>>as QBP will gamble on it, a major bike maker building a "country bike"
>>would
>>seem to be inevitable. The major makers have been keen to hop on
>>"underground" trends----fixed gears, single speeds, and choppers come to
>>mind. So which company will do it? Trek, Bianchi?
>
> It'll never happen, IMHO. There are just too few resources for tires
> / rims out there to support such a thing. Nor is there an
> overwhelming need for it either.
>
> Personally, I think the bike industry already has MORE than enough
> "standards" and letting some of the more ancient rarely used ones die
> off is a good thing, IMHO.
So, if the size doesn't see adoption by major companies, could it still have
an effect? There have been 26" wheeled touring/adventure bikes made by big
companies in the past(Raleigh I know for sure). I believe they fill a need,
especially for smaller frame sizes, to prevent toe/wheel overlap.Surly
offers it with the Long Haul Trucker, and sells a lot of those. I like the
idea of a "country bike". It just doesn't necessarily have to be 650B.
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Date: 13 Sep 2006 12:49:34
From: bfd
Subject: Re: Will a big company make a 650B bike?
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Chris Z The Wheelman wrote:
> I think Merlin makes a 650 dedicated frame, I know Terry does.
>
To be clear, there are THREE different "650" sizes.
650A = 590mm (26 x 1 3/8") commonly found on English 3-speeds,
department-store 10 speeds, special bicycles for smaller riders.
650B = 584mm (26 x 1 1/2") used on French touring, utility and tandem
bikes;
some Raleigh and Schwinn models. The latest trend and the subject of
this discussion.
650C - 571mm (26 x 1") Time-trial bicycles and high performance road
bikes for triathletes and smaller riders.
The 650 bikes made by Merlin and Terry were probably 650C and NOT the
subject of this discussion.
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Date: 13 Sep 2006 15:19:36
From: Chris Z The Wheelman
Subject: Re: Will a big company make a 650B bike?
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I think Merlin makes a 650 dedicated frame, I know Terry does.
- -
Comments and opinions compliments of,
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"
My web Site:
http://geocities.com/czcorner
To E-mail me:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net
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Date: 10 Sep 2006 16:09:14
From: Mark Hickey
Subject: Re: Will a big company make a 650B bike?
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"Gooserider" <Gooserider@mouse-potato.com > wrote:
>"k Hickey" <k@habcycles.com> wrote
>> It'll never happen, IMHO. There are just too few resources for tires
>> / rims out there to support such a thing. Nor is there an
>> overwhelming need for it either.
>>
>> Personally, I think the bike industry already has MORE than enough
>> "standards" and letting some of the more ancient rarely used ones die
>> off is a good thing, IMHO.
>
>So, if the size doesn't see adoption by major companies, could it still have
>an effect? There have been 26" wheeled touring/adventure bikes made by big
>companies in the past(Raleigh I know for sure). I believe they fill a need,
>especially for smaller frame sizes, to prevent toe/wheel overlap.Surly
>offers it with the Long Haul Trucker, and sells a lot of those. I like the
>idea of a "country bike". It just doesn't necessarily have to be 650B.
Big difference - go into any bike shop and you should be able to find
26" tires in smooth and knobbie style. You'd be able to find a rim in
the middle of a self-supported tour. I doubt you could find one shop
out of 100 that would have any 650B tires or rims in stock.
I've done a number of 26" road/touring bikes, but don't see a crushing
need for anything between that and a 700c version.
k Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame
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Date: 10 Sep 2006 08:15:48
From: Ryan Cousineau
Subject: Re: Will a big company make a 650B bike?
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In article <kHIMg.27677$Tg1.8140@tornado.tampabay.rr.com >,
"Gooserider" <Gooserider@mouse-potato.com > wrote:
> The re-emergence of the 650B size is being spurred on by small builders,
> Rivendell chief among them. QBP is carrying the Bleriot frameset and 650B
> wheels, some even built with dynohubs. QBP is a large distributor of parts
> to bike shops, maybe the largest(I'm just speculating). If a company as big
> as QBP will gamble on it, a major bike maker building a "country bike" would
> seem to be inevitable. The major makers have been keen to hop on
> "underground" trends----fixed gears, single speeds, and choppers come to
> mind. So which company will do it? Trek, Bianchi?
>
> Mike
Nobody, until the case for a tire size between 26" and 700C can be made
more convincing. As graceful as these bikes look,
Dunno if it would be big enough for you, but my guess, especially given
QBP's involvement, would be Surly.
--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@sfu.ca http://www.wiredcola.com/
"I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos
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