650b Demo

So my Demo needs new rims and tires. Normally I wouldn't be one to advocate swapping to 650b just for the hell of it. But I just happen to need rims and tires and the Demo (w/ Fox 40) has tons of clearance. The Maxxis site says they're making 27.5 HR2s in DH casings in 3c/super tacky/60d compounds. So far I haven't found a proper DH rim beyond Flows.

As far as BB height is concerned there's also that adjuster chip in the shock mount.

As long as there's clearance why not give it a try? Will Flows survive as an everyday rim on a park/shuttle bike?

only one way to find out….

rear tire clearance looks challenging.
http://www.nsmb.com/3892-specialized-big-bikes-2011-part-3/

Have the Maxxis tires actually shown up anywhere? Or just web vapour ware so far?

Have the Maxxis tires actually shown up anywhere? Or just web vapour ware so far?

:lol:
How do you know when Maxxis releases a new tire?

When it shows up at the shop.

Considering there's guys are running the Flow EX rims on the world cup circuit, I imagine they would hold up pretty good. I'm well over 200lbs and not a very smooth rider, and mine haven't even come out of true yet.

I was riding with a friend the other day that was testing a proto 650b bike, and it had HR2s on it. EXO, not DH casing, but the tire exists.

Considering there's guys are running the Flow EX rims on the world cup circuit, I imagine they would hold up pretty good. I'm well over 200lbs and not a very smooth rider, and mine haven't even come out of true yet.

I was riding with a friend the other day that was testing a proto 650b bike, and it had HR2s on it. EXO, not DH casing, but the tire exists.

World Cup use could also be interpreted to mean that they're light wide rims that can be expected to last one run.

i imagine it'll be all about rear tire PSI, in order to keep from pinch flatting due to square edge hits..

that i think will be the biggest hurdle, is can u get the tire hard enuf to withstand the rocks of Whistla..

i know anytime i tried to run a supple tire at all, i ended up walking my bike out… grrrrr

World Cup use could also be interpreted to mean that they're light wide rims that can be expected to last one run.

Haha, fair enough.

rear tire clearance looks challenging.
http://www.nsmb.com/3892-specialized-big-bikes-2011-part-3/

How do you figure? The tire radius should only be about 0.75" bigger so it should fit. Or am I missing something?

My buddy just bought a new Range so I'll put his rear wheel in my Demo and see how it looks.

I'm more concerned about the Flow EX making a suitable daily driver rim on a park bike.

This is big news!

Im really curious to see if this will work with a low volume tire.

What about running just the front in 650b? Go low stack with the headset or lower the fork to compensate for the angle change.

It would be like the old big hits running 26/24 front to back. And that was a fun bike.

How do you figure? The tire radius should only be about 0.75" bigger so it should fit. Or am I missing something?

Not all tires are created equal when comparing a 26" version with 650 version. KPerras measurements suggested a bigger volume of the 650 version of the tire than it's true size stated.

My buddy just bought a new Range so I'll put his rear wheel in my Demo and see how it looks.

That's a pretty good way of checking to out.

Considering there's guys are running the Flow EX rims on the world cup circuit, I imagine they would hold up pretty good. I'm well over 200lbs and not a very smooth rider, and mine haven't even come out of true yet.

I was riding with a friend the other day that was testing a proto 650b bike, and it had HR2s on it. EXO, not DH casing, but the tire exists.

lol, Im 150 all geared up and I managed to put dents on both my rear AND front rims on my TRAIL bike…In less than a year of riding around Squamish.

I would personally never run Flows on my DH bike.

I've had good luck with my flows. They've seen crazy amounts of riding and have held up fine. Few small dents, but they still seat up tubeless fine.