Six-fifty-bee
Noun
A type of wheel size used in mountain biking and gravel riding.
Example usage: I'm looking to upgrade my mountain bike with 650b wheels.
Most used in: Mountain biking and gravel riding.
Most used by: Mountain bikers and gravel riders.
Popularity: 8/10
Comedy Value: 4/10
Also see: 650b, 275in, 275', 650B x 275,
What is 650b Cycling?
650b is a type of wheel size used in cycling. It is also known as 27.5 inch, and is the middle size between the standard 26 inch wheel and the larger 29 inch wheel. 650b wheels are becoming increasingly popular among cyclists, as they offer a mix of the benefits from both the larger and smaller wheel sizes.
The larger wheel size of 650b provides improved momentum and traction, which helps to maintain speed and make it easier to cycle on rough terrain. On the other hand, the smaller wheel size allows for improved maneuverability and handling, which allows for a more comfortable ride.
According to a survey from 2020, 27.5 inch wheels represented 34% of all mountain bike sales. This is a significant increase from the previous year, when the wheel size accounted for just 25% of mountain bike sales.
650b is a great wheel size for those who don't want to commit to either the larger or smaller wheel sizes. It offers a great balance of speed, momentum, and maneuverability. For this reason, it is becoming increasingly popular among cyclists.
.Unravelling the Mystery of the 650b Bicycle Wheel
The term ‘650b’ refers to a type of bicycle wheel, and it’s a term that is becoming increasingly common in the cycling world. The origins of the term, however, are a bit of a mystery.
The first known use of the term was in France in the late 1990s, when a group of French mountain bikers began referring to a wheel size of 584 mm as ‘650b’. The exact origin of the term is unknown, but it is believed that the ‘650’ part of the term was derived from the approximate diameter of the wheel in millimetres, while the ‘b’ was likely used to differentiate the wheel size from other ‘650’ wheel sizes.
Since then, the term ‘650b’ has become increasingly popular as a way to refer to a specific wheel size. It is now widely used in the cycling industry, and is used to refer to a wheel size of 584 mm in diameter.
So, while the exact origin of the term ‘650b’ may remain a mystery, it is clear that it has become a widely accepted way to refer to a specific wheel size in the cycling world.