Now that I have a bike project underway involving disc brakes and decent clearances, I sat down and did with a purpose something I’d done a couple times just for fun: figured out tires for 700c, 650B and 26″ rims that give equivalent wheel diameters*.
Now it’s inscribed in the immutable internet, and I can refer back to it later.
Narrower. In my circles, the 42mm 650B “Hetre” is the most-hyped tire… well, ever. I’ve never ridden it. Of these first three, the 2.1″ mtb tire is the only one I’ve ridden, and I’ve worn them bald. It’s a good size. I’ve also ridden a 590×37, which has a similar OD to the 650B, (and can be boughten or ordered at any LBS). It was also a good size, for the bike it was on.
| 559 (26″ mtb) |
584 (650B/27.5″) |
622 (700C) |
| 53mm |
42mm |
23mm |
| 53mm |
42mm |
23mm |
| 665mm OD |
668mm OD |
668mm OD |
| 2.1″ MTB |
42mm 650B |
23mm 700C |
Plumper. I’ve only ridden the 32mm tire. Good for everything but deep gravel, which is just sucky no matter what.
| 559 (26″ mtb) |
584 (650B/27.5″) |
622 (700C) |
| 63mm |
50mm |
32mm |
| 63mm |
50mm |
32mm |
| 685mm OD |
684mm OD |
686mm OD |
| 2.5″ MTB |
2″ 27-five |
32mm 700C |
I do not know of anyone who’s actually set up a bike with interchangeable wheelsets in different sizes, but it must’ve been done. It’s probably common in some circles.
* The rolling diameter is important-ish, because a big mismatch can affect the handling, standover, pedal clearance, etc. I’ve happily and comfortably run 25s through 40s on my Quickbeam, but that’s the best bike in the world and can do anything.
