If you’re looking to test the 650B waters, it doesn’t get much cheaper than $500. Of course, you’re giving up gears and a tapered headset, but, well, it’s $500. $499 to be exact.
Nashbar’s Bees Knees 650B has a chromoly frame with short sliding dropouts at the rear and a chromoly fork up front. Spec is decent for the price, with Kenda Nevegal tires, FSA headset and Avid mechanical disc brakes. The rest is mostly no-name components to get you started.
Full specs, plus the 2×10 geared version, below…
The geared version gets a SRAM 2×10 drivetrain and upgrades to a tapered headtube holding a Rockshox suspension fork. Other upgrades include Avid hydraulic brakes and a Prologo saddle. This one’s retailing for $1,299. Full specs at bottom.
NASHBAR BEES KNEES 650B SINGLESPEED
FRAME: 650b Chromoly, standard 1 1/8″ head tube, trail tuned chain and seat stays, replaceable rear derailleur hanger, disc tabs and water bottle mounts
FORK: 650b Chromoly, disc tabs, standard 1 1/8″ steerer
REAR SHOCK: None
HEADSET: FSA Hammer, 1 1/8″
CRANKSET: Alloy square taper 104mm bcd with 38t ring
BOTTOM BRACKET: Square Taper
SHIFTERS: None
LEVERS: Avid BB5
HANDLEBAR: 6061 Oversized Riser Bar, 620mm width, 25mm rise, 5 degree sweep
STEM: Alloy, 7 degree rise, 90mm
FRONT DERAILLEUR: None; Chainguard
REAR DERAILLEUR: None
CASSETTE: 16T
BRAKES: Avid BB5 mechanical
WHEELSET: Alex 650b XD-Lite, 6-bolt IS disc
TIRES: Kenda Nevegal, K-1010, 27.5×2.1 (650b)
PEDALS: None
SEATPOST: Alloy, 27.2x350mm
SADDLE: Mountain
CHAIN: KMC Z410
GRIPS/TAPE: Kraton Black
NASHBAR BEES KNEES 650B GEARED
FRAME: 650b Alloy, tapered 1 1/4″ head tube, trail tuned chain and seat stays, replaceable rear derailleur hanger, disc tabs and double water bottle mounts
FORK: Rock Shox Revelation RL with Remote Lockout and 100mm of travel, Tapered 1 1/4″ steerer, 15mm Thru-Axle
REAR SHOCK: None
HEADSET: FSA, TH-875
CRANKSET: SRAM X5, 38/24 chainrings
BOTTOM BRACKET: SRAM External Bearing
SHIFTERS: SRAM X9 trigger, 2×10
LEVERS: Avid Elixir 3
HANDLEBAR: Alloy Oversized, 31.8mm clamp, 620mm width, 15mm rise
STEM: Alloy, 80mm
FRONT DERAILLEUR: SRAM X7, 34.9mm clamp
REAR DERAILLEUR: SRAM X9, Medium Cage, 10-speed
CASSETTE: SRAM PG-1070, 10-speed, 11/36 range
BRAKES: Avid Elixir 3 Hydraulic
WHEELSET: Alex 650b XD-Lite, 6-bolt IS disc,sealed bearing hubs
TIRES: Kenda Nevegal, K-1010, 27.5×2.1 (650b)
PEDALS: None
SEATPOST: Aluminum, 31.6x400mm
SADDLE: Prologo Kappa Evo
CHAIN: SRAM PC-1071, 10-speed
GRIPS/TAPE: Lock Ring, black
