650b wheelset on Santa Cruz Blur TRc and LTc

[TeddyBallGame]

I recently demo'd a 29er and really liked the way it rode but I did miss the extra travel my bike has. So that got me thinking and it turns out that 650b wheels will fit on my Blur LTc.

Before I take the plunge and invest in a new 650b wheelset I'd like to try out a set first to see how I like it.

So, does anyone here have a set of 650b wheels just sitting around in their garage they wouldn't mind loaning out? I'm willing to compensate you (cash or alcoholic beverage) in exchange from letting me use them for a week or so. I live on the peninsula and ride Waterdog and Skeggs most often.

Gracias!

[Loll]

I think someone tried to do that with a nomad and 650 wont fit in the rear. Ended up being a 650/26er.

Check the Santa Cruz forum.

Nmad and BLTC shares similar geo.

[TeddyBallGame]

I'll look into it.

There's a thread in the 650b section dedicated to the Blur LT and other than some tire clearance issues when using large volume rear tire (+2.35) there weren't any real issues.

[Loll]

Interesting. Let me know how it goes. I love to upgrade the nomad with bigger hoops

[mestapho]

The TRc apparently is a great 650b ride. I looked into it, but the severely limited tire selection held me back.

[JMac47]

Geesch, here we go again on "limited tires".....

[francois]

What front axle are you using?

francis

[TeddyBallGame]

Fox 15mm qr axle

[mestapho]

Geesch, here we go again on "limited tires".....

How is this not true?
When I was looking into it I found 6-10 650b mountain bike tires.
Pacenti has a few, you can still find some 650b Wolverines, Schwalbe has one or two.
Only one, the Racing Ralph, was tubeless ready.
Since that is what I prefer to ride (tubeless ready tires), I'd say its pretty "limited".

[francois]

Fox 15mm qr axle

I have a new wheelset here at the office that you can use for a week. Only problem is the front tire is massive and there's no way it will fit in your fork. The frikken thing is 28 inches around. I have an extra tire that will fit but it's at home and I'm not in the office tomorrow.

fc

[TeddyBallGame]

I have a new wheelset here at the office that you can use for a week. Only problem is the front tire is massive and there's no way it will fit in your fork. The frikken thing is 28 inches around. I have an extra tire that will fit but it's at home and I'm not in the office tomorrow.

fc

PM sent

[JMac47]

Putting it that way, yes. Interesting how enabling things can seem when it's a want not a need. Considering how there's usually only a few types of tires we like to use anyway, whatever wheel size. Take a survey with your fellow ride partners sometime.

And there's been enough use of the tires you mentioned running tubeless without issues. Just say'n.

[mestapho]

Yeah, if WTB made some 650b TCS tires (Bronson's or Moto's would be awesome) I'd probably
be saving up for a second set of wheels right now.

[broomhandle]

Im the same... Cdale prophet with a fox talas in the folsom area... would love to see how they fit.

heck this could be a buiness for somebody.... rent for the day 650 rims!

[TeddyBallGame]

Yeah, if WTB made some 650b TCS tires (Bronson's or Moto's would be awesome) I'd probably
be saving up for a second set of wheels right now.

I agree, even a Weirwolf would be awesome.
I did see the Nevegals are available in 650b.

[TeddyBallGame]

I decided to try 650b wheels on my Blur LTc after demoing a Tallboy and not being satisfied with the amount of travel. I liked how the 29er rolled over everything and want to get something similar on my bike. A BIG thanks to, Francis, for lending me a set of Pacenti wheels and tires to try out. Surprisingly I didn't have any of the clearance issues others were having where spacers were needed in the shock. The clearance in the rear was a little tight, about 3mm between the tire and seat tube when the shock is fully compressed. I don’t think that will be an issue unless I’m riding in pure slop I also took a bunch of pictures so you guys can see the conversion. I was running a big 2.4 Mega-Motto up front and a 2.3 Neo-Moto in the back.

I only got 3 rides in before I broke my right thumb so here's a quick review. Initially pedaling around I didn't notice a big difference. It wasn't until I started climbing up a series of 10-12 switchbacks that I started seeing some differences. Like a 29er, I found that I needed a little more oomph to keep the wheels going so the bike wouldn't stall on steep climbs. But as long as I kept my legs moving it got up the hill as quick or even quicker than on 26" wheels. I did notice that I had to put a little more weight on the front end to keep the wheel down, possibly because of the slight head angle change with the bigger wheels. On the downhills the bigger wheels and/or change in head angle made for a positive difference. I didn't have to lean as far back and was able to keep more of my weight in the center of the bike which helped the front end track better. The bike also seemed to roll over larger rocks and roots easier allowing me to keep more speed in certain sections. In tight, twisty sections the biggest difference was that I didn't have to turn the bars as far to get it into turns. It took a little while to get used to it as I was over steering quite a bit at first. I'm assuming because of the larger contact patch of the tire it grips into the dirt sooner.

Overall I was very pleased with the few rides I got in. I'm still not sure if it really was the greatness of 650b or because I wanted 650b to be great. But I have a feeling that I'm going to be getting a new wheel set soon!!

The beast!



Quick side by side comparison





26" front tire clearance, WTB 2.3 Bronson



650b front tire clearance, Pacenti 2.4 Mega-Moto



650b rear tire clearance, Pacenti 2.3 Neo-Moto









At full shock compression there is about 3mm of clearance



Shock under no load



Shock under full compression

[bassn]

Thanks for the pics. I was at the same crossroads recently and choose to stay with 26" tires. A LBS let me try a set of 650B wheels on and I personally thought the clearances were too tight. I opted to go with a Stans Arch EX with Schwalbe Nic up front, and Racing Ralphs in the rear. I'm very happy with my decision.

[Loll]

exactly, 650 for a day is a great idea

[francois]

I've been riding the TRc with 650b wheels. The front tire is a prototype Pacenti Mega Moto and it is huge!! Almost 28 inch outside diameter.

I've had two spectacular rides on this bike and I'm taking it today to Waterdog or Skeggs.

The stock TRc was good. The Tallboy LTc was even better. This may top both for my 5'8" height.

fc

photos:
1) stock Blur TRc
2) Tallboy LTc
3) Blur TRc with 650 wheels
4) Comparison with a Look 26er
5) Outside diameter of MegaMoto 650b tire.

[MMcG]

Looking forward to your report on the 650b ride at your 5'8" height Francois.

[r1Gel]

You need to correct your post title. You have an LTc, not a TRc (and I came here looking for the latter as I don't really care much for the former).

[r1Gel]

Looking forward to your report on the 650b ride at your 5'8" height Francois.

+1

A B'd TRc is my absolute dream bike

[reformed roadie]

I've been riding the TRc with 650b wheels. The front tire is a prototype Pacenti Mega Moto and it is huge!! Almost 28 inch outside diameter.

I've had two spectacular rides on this bike and I'm taking it today to Waterdog or Skeggs.

The stock TRc was good. The Tallboy LTc was even better. This may top both for my 5'8" height.

fc

photos:
1) stock Blur TRc
2) Tallboy LTc
3) Blur TRc with 650 wheels
4) Comparison with a Look 26er
5) Outside diameter of MegaMoto 650b tire.

Can you post pics of the clearance of the Mega Moto in the fox fork?
I was a bit concerned it wouldn't fit...only thing I saw previously was in a WB fork that is designed for 650b.

[ljsmith]

You need to correct your post title. You have an LTc, not a TRc (and I came here looking for the latter as I don't really care much for the former).

Then maybe you need to check out this thread.

650b TRC

[r1Gel]

Then maybe you need to check out this thread.

650b TRC

Ye, I'm already subscribed to that. Thanks.