I have been reading about converting 700c bikes to 650b . It looks reasonably straight forward to convert the Silvio 1.5 by simply installing longer reach brakes.
Has any one tried this and were there any fishhooks to the conversion . Also what size tyres would the bike accept with 650B wheels ?
My 2 cents:
Unless you are fighting for "seconds" off your 20K TT time, I would say it is not worth it.
First the tire selection is not as great (and good luck finding a 650 latex tube - I had to make mine).
(You could gain a 2+ mph just switching to a Vendetta, so I am guessing it is not about the speed for you.
I am also not super dialed into all the 650 "A", "B" .."D" type of wheels, but I think the higher the number the wider the wheel.
Also,
Some shorter people (like me - and many women) opt for 650 wheels on road bikes just because they lower them down another inch to the ground.
I have a 650(?) tubular that I have experimented with as the rear wheel on my Cruzbike. I can see are very small increase in speed partly due to the seat angle being lower and the wheel, but it is not much, like I said - just seconds.
Yes, and you need the long reach brakes. Pretty easy to source almost anywhere. I picked up a set on Amazon - but truthfully, when I have been testing the 650 on the rear of my Vendetta, I just don't use the rear brake, but of course that is on the track. Out on the road - you would definitely need it!
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
