650b vs 700c Wheel Set – Comparison in 2023

Two options riders must consider while building their bike are 650b and 700c wheelsets.

Although they may not seem that different upon first look, the structure of each one significantly sets them apart from one another. Of course, that could also affect your performance on the roads.

Today, we’ll be talking about the 650b vs. 700c wheelset to learn what it’d mean to have one or the other assembled in our bikes.

To do that, we’ve picked two of the most relevant offers available for each category, which we’ll review and compare afterward.

Let’s start by discussing what the 650b wheelset has in store for us.

650b vs 700c Wheel Set Comparison in 2023

650b Wheel Set

Available in many colors, this wheelset manages to offer quality and style for riders that enjoy customizing their bikes to the fullest.

Other than the color, the well-made stainless spokes make these accessories good-looking.What else does Mavic have to offer with this new installment?

A good word to describe this wheelset would be reliability. They’re lightweight and yet surprisingly strong to put up with almost anything.

Even for heavier riders, the wheels provide a secure, comfortable, and efficient riding along the roads.

The Shimano 105 R70000 Hubs are smooth, offering compatibility with 7/8/9/10 speeds.

As for the spokes, you’d find 32h front and 32h on the rear. They keep up with the rider’s demands by offering good aerodynamics throughout the rides.

If you want to go for 7 speeds, you must make sure to get a 4.5mm spacer first.Otherwise, there may be some less than desirable issues
Good aerodynamics is often the decisive factor in a wheelset.

Luckily, this rim offers a pin joined rim extrusion for an impactful and effective approach on the roads.

Of course, the technology used to create the wheels is what makes them good in the first place.

The milled braking surfaces improve friction, eliminating shuddering. Thus, the Usiné Brut Control silently makes each rides the best it can be.

With a 6106 aluminum alloy build, high-quality tech, and variety in design, this wheelset is more than capable of meeting your expectations.

Other than needing a spacer for a 7 speeds setup, there are no more drawbacks about this product.

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700c Wheel Set

The 700c wheelset appeals to a wide variety of riders by offering many colors, resistance, and comfort. Here’s how this wheelset will improve the performance of your bike.

For starters, this 700c clincher comes with a V-shape rim style, which has effective basalt braking surface and 50mm of depth for the proper size.

Even after hundreds of miles ridden, the wheel consistently delivers a fun experience without vibration or risks.

One particular benefit of purchasing the 700c wheelset is that it doesn’t need trueing. Right out of the box, the wheel is good to go, reducing the installation time and the stress it may pose to beginners.

Plus, the easy installation means you won’t have to go to a professional. That’s less money you’d have to spend, which is always nice.

Once installed, the wheel barely adds weight to the bike overall. If anything, it feels lighter than with most wheels, guaranteeing more convenience on the road.

Besides being more pleasant, handling improves significantly.
As you can see, the 700c wheel is a good pick for both experienced and beginners.

However, in either case, the rider does have to go through a bit of a learning curve.

Getting used to this wheel may take time, but the effort is worth it once you get the hang of it.

For anyone looking to buy a 700c wheel, there are only a few as good as this one.

With a combination of high-quality materials and modern technology, this accessory puts up an incredible performance that won’t disappoint riders.

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650b wheel set or 700c Wheel Set?

There are a few things you should know before picking one of the products reviewed here.

The Basics What You Need to Know

700c wheels feature a larger diameter than the 650b counterparts, being 622mm for the first and 584mm for the latter.

Over the years, the 700c wheels have been the go-to choice for road, gravel, cyclocross, and hybrid bikes, while the 650b has only recently gained popularity on older French bikes.

The 700c wheel, while set with the proper tire, is capable of offering less rolling resistance, leading to more momentum and better rollover capability than the 650b wheels.

For many riders, the 700c models are perfect for riding over pavement commutes, training rides, or races over gravel.

Does the smaller diameter of the 650b wheels make them a bad choice? Not necessarily.

Smaller diameter allows riders to run higher-volume tires within the same frame.

If we take into consideration the fact that high-volume tires are taller than those that’d fit on a 700c wheel, both the wheel and the diameter of the tire end up being fairly similar to the 700c setup.

What does that mean? It means that you won’t notice much change in handling and geometry after replacing a 700c with a 650b. Instead, you get all the benefits of having a higher-volume tire.

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That’s Good and All, But Which One is Better?

Many riders would advise you to get 700c wheels for pavement and gravel surfaces.

However, if you need the resistance to withstand bumps on rougher roads, then the 650b wheels and larger tires would be the most suitable pick.

Suggested Topic: Buy Gravel or Mountain Bike

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

That’s it for our 650b vs. 700c wheelset review! Once you consider the type of bike and what activities you want to do, picking one of these two wheelsets becomes much easier. Figure that out, and go on to explore new adventures.