I know it's a couple of years old now (guess that makes me late to the party), but this is one of the best videos I've seen that weighs up the differences between the two wheel sizes on a gravel bike. Great video!
I have a specialized sequoia with 700 x 43mm tires but I changed to 650b x 2.0 for riding the Great Divide. I loved the cushioning, clearance and feel of it. The bike is staying at 650b for sure.
Been running the ICAN G25 650B carbon gravel wheels and Schwalbe G-One tubeless. Several advantages: Wider tire, no toe overlap, lower BB, easier climbing, fits easier in Orucase Airport Ninja travel case.
Thanks for sharing. this was the only video I found for a Topstone 650b conversion. another benefit of the smaller wheelset is the extra clearance for bikepacking bags, especially for folks that have a smaller frame size. seat packs and handlebar bags tend to have minimal clearance with 700C wheels. cheers!
@@AddictedBikespopping in here years later after doing some research, but it's worth noting the 2023 topstone (at least the topstone 2, but I imagine all models) now have a 700 x 45 clearence, I feel like this is a perfect balance.
I bought a Kona Rove DL last year and it came with 650bs and I really like the comfort and it’s fast enough on road. Just completed my first century on it and I’ve got to say the comfort outweighed the slight speed disadvantage especially when climbing at mile 90😅
So you're using metal pads . I've read that best combo regarding disc brakes pads is a metal pad on the inside and a resin / organic pad on the outside
I fell in perfect spot with 650b, and how it changed my 54cm ride running 47c tyres. To my surprise I didn't notice any changes at all to the speed as I initially presumed, that insignificant it was, apart from maneuverability, stand over height, no toe overlap and most of all, comfort from bigger 10mm+ tyre size. I don't think I will go back to 700c on my gravel/bikepacking machine, no point. Let's be honest 700c make sense when you more road oriented, be it pure road, long-distance endurance, light gravel, ultralight bikepacking on ~~35c, whatever.
I have a road bike with 700c wheels. I ride my bike through the city and the roads are terrible. It’s a very jarring uncomfortable experience, also the frame is a little on the big side for me, so I’m thinking with the smaller 650b I will have some crotch clearance and feel more nimble on the bike
700c gravel bikes need more clearance for wider tyres? Especially for L and XL frames. Each size of bike really needs it's own custom fork and different clearances. As well as bar width, stem sizes etc. Everything needs to scale up basically!
Thanks for your videos on this - really enjoyed them. When you were really not happy about the comfort of the back end, what were you comparing it to? Did you have carbon frames in mind or mountain bikes in mind or other alloy gravel bikes?
I also have a cannondale super x cx bike which is carbon, that is more comfortable with 32’s than this with 700c 43’s. 👍🏻 But the 650bs have done the job so if its very rough mtb style terrain id now take the topstone
@@AddictedBikes Interesting to know. I've got a Topstone 2 on its way at some point (ordered it just before the prices went up :) ) so I'll see how I get on with the wheels. Thanks very much
Andy Lake 👍🏻👌🏻 It depends what you are riding like i say but they are designed for extreme gravel having the ability for 48mm tyres and a dropper post so it wod be rude not to take them proper offroad
Thanks for the video, I have the original Specialized Diverge, the most it can fit for clearance is 700 x 32, even that scraped the paint to start with. I was planning to 650b it, but think I'll save for a specific 650B bike instead, as the original Diverge was just too road bikey.
Great video, thanks for posting them and the others about this bike. I also have TopStone 4 and wanted to ask if changing just the wheelset will make any improvements to the bike if so which ones should I get. I mainly want to use it in the city to get to work and occasional weekend all terrain bike riding.
@@AddictedBikes Thanks, I'll probably go for Hunt or Vel 650b carbon wheelsets. They are more expensive but I still can't make my mind about the size yet.
Hi there. I have a Topstone and thinking of getting 650 wheels. Can I ask some questions? Does it not lower the bike so your pedals clip rocks etc? Also were you ok fitting 47mm tyres then -clearance ok? Many thanks
Hi, yes it does make the bike lower and can make a pedal strike more likely but I havn’t had an issue myself. 47mm tyres fit this no probs once the mud guards were removed 👍🏻😉
Hello, I would like to get on my bike: Triban GRVL 520 Sram Apex 1x11 buy rims DT Swiss G 1800 Spline. And according to the manufacturer, I can use 650x47 or 700x42 Please advise, What option would you choose from my options?
I have the same bike and I love it. If I were you I’d put a 700c 40c. Unless you’re using your bike in very technical rides where a lot of maneuverability and suspension are required, the wheels that come with the bike will only make it slower
Brother do you recommend 1by grx or 2by grx? I am stock in undecided in which one to buy. I do mostly gravel but would like to do some road routes later on.
Why do people insist on using 1x cranks? That only really works for mountain bikes. For gravel & road you want the flexibility of a 2X. Do yourself a favour and get the 46/32 grx crank. There's hardly any weight or complexity penalty in adding a front derailleur. The grx rear derailleur will fit a 40 teeth cassette.
Very nice video! Congrats. There was a point in the video where you sounded like an alien in space though, this could be a Trademark for your future videos:)) Cheers
The inner rim width is 23 mil, you say it's 23 thousandths of an inch?? Wtf are you smoking. If you mean 23 millimeter then say the word, don't use a completely different unit of length. M I L L I M E T E R is different than M I L
get some subscribers before you mouth off about things you have a problem with. Instead of being an armchair warrior come and meet me where we can discuss it in person. 😛👌🏻
![ILLSLICK - THE KING'S LANDING [Freestyle]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/feIJJnNkTfk/mqdefault.jpg)
I know it's a couple of years old now (guess that makes me late to the party), but this is one of the best videos I've seen that weighs up the differences between the two wheel sizes on a gravel bike. Great video!
I have a specialized sequoia with 700 x 43mm tires but I changed to 650b x 2.0 for riding the Great Divide. I loved the cushioning, clearance and feel of it. The bike is staying at 650b for sure.
The challenge is not choosing between 650b and 700c. The problem is finding framesets for shorter folk in the latter wheel size.
Been running the ICAN G25 650B carbon gravel wheels and Schwalbe G-One tubeless. Several advantages: Wider tire, no toe overlap, lower BB, easier climbing, fits easier in Orucase Airport Ninja travel case.
Great vid. Could I ask what route is this please? If its all in one ride I'd like to have a spin on it
Thanks for sharing. this was the only video I found for a Topstone 650b conversion. another benefit of the smaller wheelset is the extra clearance for bikepacking bags, especially for folks that have a smaller frame size. seat packs and handlebar bags tend to have minimal clearance with 700C wheels. cheers!
yes good point👍🏻
@@AddictedBikespopping in here years later after doing some research, but it's worth noting the 2023 topstone (at least the topstone 2, but I imagine all models) now have a 700 x 45 clearence, I feel like this is a perfect balance.
Good timing talking about tyre air being bigger at the same time getting the echo of the tunnel. 😂😂
hehe yeah i noticed that lol
I bought a Kona Rove DL last year and it came with 650bs and I really like the comfort and it’s fast enough on road. Just completed my first century on it and I’ve got to say the comfort outweighed the slight speed disadvantage especially when climbing at mile 90😅
So you're using metal pads .
I've read that best combo regarding disc brakes pads is a metal pad on the inside and a resin / organic pad on the outside
I fell in perfect spot with 650b, and how it changed my 54cm ride running 47c tyres. To my surprise I didn't notice any changes at all to the speed as I initially presumed, that insignificant it was, apart from maneuverability, stand over height, no toe overlap and most of all, comfort from bigger 10mm+ tyre size. I don't think I will go back to 700c on my gravel/bikepacking machine, no point. Let's be honest 700c make sense when you more road oriented, be it pure road, long-distance endurance, light gravel, ultralight bikepacking on ~~35c, whatever.
I have a road bike with 700c wheels. I ride my bike through the city and the roads are terrible. It’s a very jarring uncomfortable experience, also the frame is a little on the big side for me, so I’m thinking with the smaller 650b I will have some crotch clearance and feel more nimble on the bike
700c gravel bikes need more clearance for wider tyres? Especially for L and XL frames. Each size of bike really needs it's own custom fork and different clearances. As well as bar width, stem sizes etc. Everything needs to scale up basically!
I can't find that Panaracer makes a 650b SK in 47mm. Are those 48mm?
They are 27.5 x 1.9 so roughly 47/ 48 yes😉👍🏻
Thanks for your videos on this - really enjoyed them. When you were really not happy about the comfort of the back end, what were you comparing it to? Did you have carbon frames in mind or mountain bikes in mind or other alloy gravel bikes?
I also have a cannondale super x cx bike which is carbon, that is more comfortable with 32’s than this with 700c 43’s. 👍🏻 But the 650bs have done the job so if its very rough mtb style terrain id now take the topstone
@@AddictedBikes Interesting to know. I've got a Topstone 2 on its way at some point (ordered it just before the prices went up :) ) so I'll see how I get on with the wheels.
Thanks very much
Andy Lake 👍🏻👌🏻 It depends what you are riding like i say but they are designed for extreme gravel having the ability for 48mm tyres and a dropper post so it wod be rude not to take them proper offroad
Thanks for video! 👍
i think i would prefer even smaller than 650b. i think 24 or 26 inch might be the best for me :)
Thanks for the video, I have the original Specialized Diverge, the most it can fit for clearance is 700 x 32, even that scraped the paint to start with. I was planning to 650b it, but think I'll save for a specific 650B bike instead, as the original Diverge was just too road bikey.
Great video, thanks for posting them and the others about this bike. I also have TopStone 4 and wanted to ask if changing just the wheelset will make any improvements to the bike if so which ones should I get. I mainly want to use it in the city to get to work and occasional weekend all terrain bike riding.
sure 700c’s will be fine around the city and light terrain, 650bs for a proper off road machine. Fulcrum wheels in the £150-300 range are great.
@@AddictedBikes Thanks, I'll probably go for Hunt or Vel 650b carbon wheelsets. They are more expensive but I still can't make my mind about the size yet.
Nice video, have you already changed the seatpost to a carbon one?
I tried carbon bars stem and seatpost from another bike but it didnt feel any better tbh so i swaped them back lol
@@AddictedBikes okey thanks for your information :)
x33StarZ in an ideal world it would be fully kitted out but im on the verge of fitting a dropper post so it didnt seem logical
Hi there. I have a Topstone and thinking of getting 650 wheels. Can I ask some questions? Does it not lower the bike so your pedals clip rocks etc? Also were you ok fitting 47mm tyres then -clearance ok? Many thanks
Hi, yes it does make the bike lower and can make a pedal strike more likely but I havn’t had an issue myself. 47mm tyres fit this no probs once the mud guards were removed 👍🏻😉
@@AddictedBikes Sorry one more question - so could the frame fit 50mm tyres do you think?
Benjamin Skelton no mate i very much doubt it. only perhaps if it was a slick with no side grips ☺️
Hello, I would like to get on my bike: Triban GRVL 520 Sram Apex 1x11 buy rims DT Swiss G 1800 Spline. And according to the manufacturer, I can use 650x47 or 700x42 Please advise, What option would you choose from my options?
I have the same bike and I love it. If I were you I’d put a 700c 40c.
Unless you’re using your bike in very technical rides where a lot of maneuverability and suspension are required, the wheels that come with the bike will only make it slower
I bought the same bike 2 days ago and i was wondering if the stock wheelset can take a bigger tire what would you recommend? Thanks!
yes you can fit 43 wide but it isnt ideal, they take some fitting and the comfort is still not good enough to ride off road 😉
Brother do you recommend 1by grx or 2by grx? I am stock in undecided in which one to buy. I do mostly gravel but would like to do some road routes later on.
Why do people insist on using 1x cranks? That only really works for mountain bikes. For gravel & road you want the flexibility of a 2X. Do yourself a favour and get the 46/32 grx crank. There's hardly any weight or complexity penalty in adding a front derailleur.
The grx rear derailleur will fit a 40 teeth cassette.
bigger clearance for wider tyres, less faf setting up, nothing against 2x though personally
Very nice video! Congrats.
There was a point in the video where you sounded like an alien in space though, this could be a Trademark for your future videos:)) Cheers
lol where in the video was that? 🤣
Get the 29x2.25 like the Kona ULTD
interesting😎👌🏻
just been looking, its a bit ugly 🤭and id miss the carbon fork but yeah thats a good sign that hopefully 29er gravels are coming.
Well the Rove LTD Has the carbon fork so just maybe it will make its way thru Kona gravel bikes all of them!
The inner rim width is 23 mil, you say it's 23 thousandths of an inch?? Wtf are you smoking. If you mean 23 millimeter then say the word, don't use a completely different unit of length. M I L L I M E T E R is different than M I L
get some subscribers before you mouth off about things you have a problem with. Instead of being an armchair warrior come and meet me where we can discuss it in person. 😛👌🏻