If you're leaning towards the 650b frame, go for it. Don't worry about tire availability from your LBS- you can always order tires through the mail if you can't get them from the LBS. Maybe tell your LBS that you'll be ordering them yourself only because they don't carry them. 650b has become popular b/c it really does offer great advantage in handling and geometry in some cases. I have a 650b bombadil myself.
On Feb 7, 11:51 pm, Zaelia <[email protected]> wrote: > Hello - I'm a new member to the group, and I'm in the process of > ordering an A. Homer Hilsen frame from Rivendell. I've been given the > option of both the 650B frame (56cm) and the 700c frame (55cm). After > conducting as much research as I can online and talking with my bike > knowledgeable friends, I'm still finding the decision to be > difficult. I'm not sure how much information I should give here, but > I'm just wondering if anyone has any thoughts about my dilemma. > > My AHH will be primarily a commuter bike, but will also serve me on > longer weekend rides and perhaps some light touring in the future. > What I like about this bike is its ability to tackle a wider range of > conditions - road and off-road (nothing gnarly, mind you) - and it is > just a beautiful looking bike! In my adult life, I've only ever known > my current ride - a Rocky Mountain Fusion mountain bike from the > mid-90s. I'm looking forward to riding a bike much more suited to my > style of riding. The Fusion makes me work pretty hard and it's h-e-a- > v-y! > > Availability of the 650B wheels is my biggest issue. I have only > found two stores locally that can help me out with this (they don't > have anything in stock but would have to order), though I've not > conducted an exhaustive search. Talking with the folks at the local > stores was quite illuminating. The first kept telling me that the > tire was a new fad - something for the folks who want to be > different. The second had no idea what I was talking about. I'm not > all that mechanically inclined, so I depend on my LBS (to my chagrin) > - though I hope to change this in the future and become more adept at > working on my bike. > > I'm leaning heavily toward the 650B because of the many things I've > read about it on sites like 650B Palace (http:// > 650bpalace.blogspot.com/) and La Confrérie des 650 (http://www.cyclos- > cyclotes.org/650/index_ang.html). Even the Country Bike Shop > (http://www.countrybikeshop.com/) makes me feel the 650B is the choice I > should make. But still a lingering doubt remains. I can't imagine > I'll regret my decision, but I worry that I might. > > While I have you - the second part of this question might be what > width should I get? And what brands/models do you recommend? I know > much of this is subjective, but I'd be happy to read your thoughts. > Thanks. > > Cheers, > Zaelia -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
