26"/559mm diameter wheels would lower the bottom bracket by 12mm. This could only help handling, however there might be pedal clearance problems in cornering--if your wife rides with small pedals like SPD's or Speedplays (pardon my list blasphemy) she might not have any problems. Personally if I was to own any bike built for 650b wheels, I'd have 559mm wheels in it before you could say "Daniel Rebour" just for the rim and tire availabililty--if this was to be a rider and not a show bike.
David Feldman
>
>
>
> I am working on a project bike (a light tourer for my wife), and I am in
> need of a wheelset and tires. The frameset is currently set up to take
650B
> wheels, but the braze-ons can easily be changed to accommodate any of the
> wheel options below before the final paint job is added. Sooo, I am in
need
> of sources (and/or opinions) for any of the following options:
>
>
> 1 pair of high quality 650B (584 mm) rims and matching high quality tires
>
> or
>
> 1 pair of vintage looking 650C rims (571 mm--the current 650 racing
size--I
> think) and a source for wider tires such as 28 - 32 c or larger (I know
that
> there are plenty of narrower tires available in this size).
>
>
> I am open to clinchers or sew ups as well as a complete wheelset.
>
>
> ALSO, I've wondered if going down to a 26" (559 mm mtn. bike size) would
> mess up the way the bike was intended to ride and handle. Any thoughts??
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Rick VerHoeven
>
> Twin Falls, Idaho