Originally posted by Guitar Ted over at TwentyNineInches.com

The Interbike ‘07 show is history. The booths are packed up and being shipped away across the continents. In terms of big wheeled bikes, we didn’t see much of anything earth shattering, but we did see the introduction of modern day 650B or “B” wheeled bikes. What was the overall feeling at the show about these bikes? How will they affect the future of big wheeled mountain bikes in the future? These are a couple of the questions I was putting forth at the show to vendors and attendees alike.

Let’s put one thing to rest right away, the “B” wheels are not going to be “the next big thing”, at least according to the industry folks I asked. That title would seemingly belong to the burgeoning urban/commuter segment. In fact, I heard from one industry person at a mid level company who said that “Anybody who says 650B is the next big thing isn’t going to be listened to. We’re not interested in that.” He went on to say that anybody that claims any wheel size is “the best” has closed their mind and is taking that preferred wheelsize on faith, making it a “religion” for them. I would agree that a discussion is necessary and that fanaticism is only going to divide and confound any progress forward with the bicycle as a whole.

The overall feeling I got was mostly guarded and somewhat mixed. Some places were enthusiastic for what could be done, but most were still trying to process where the wheelsize might fit in to the overall fabric of mountain biking. It’s still not really understood what benefits of the format will translate to consumer interest and ultimately dollars spent.

One of the recurring themes was small sized mountain bikes that could benefit from “big wheel” attributes. It’s well accepted amongst most manufacturers and industry folks that 29″ers are difficult (or at least not a good idea) for folks that are “shorter”. (That height definition is still debatable) The “B” wheels are seen as a way to market to these smaller folk a “big wheeled” bicycle that still works and fits as a 26″er would. This more than anything seemed to be the area that a lot of folks seemed to make sense of the “B” wheeled choice. A few folks; however, found the choice as an unnecessary confusion to potential consumers. Consumers that already are in the midst of processing 29″er wheels and what they might mean for their own mountain biking.

Of course, regardless of what some sitting along the sidelines might think, others have already taken the playing field. Origin 8, Soma, Carver, and Rawland are all offering the “B” wheel choice for ‘08. How their success or failures play out on the field of marketing will be watched keenly by the folks on either sideline. Then it might be clear as to where the “B” wheels might fit into the future of off roading.

As of now, I think it’s in the court of the consumer. I can see where these “B” wheels make sense, but I do not think it will be anything but a niche market in the off road bicycle world. I also do not think “B” wheels will have anywhere near the impact that 29″ers have had. It’s an in between wheel size with in between benefits. I don’t see it as offering anything that fantastic as a wheel size. That said, I rode a few bicycles with that wheel size at Interbike that were impressive as mountain bikes as a whole. Perhaps not just because they had “B” wheels either, but impressive none the less.

Will it be for you? Well, “B” wheels do solve some problems in certain areas and circumstances. Certainly they have their place. Time and consumer dollars spent will help dictate the future of this wheel size to a great degree. I for one will be interested to see the outcome. Until then…………….let’s ride!