Is it possible to take the cheapskate option here and buy a set of wheels that are capable on a mountain bike and also light and stiff enough for a gravel/adventure/CX/do it all/woteva bike?
I don't have a 650b MTB bike (yet), I've got an old 26" HT that is good enough for me. But I do have a reasonably nice 700c CX bike that I spend riding on rough ground mostly and was thinking about getting 650b wheels for it. I've seen those Mason Hunt wheels and they look nice: https://www.huntbikewheels.com/products/hunt-650b-adventure-sport-disc-27-5-gravel-road-trail-wheelset-1579g-24deep-25wide
But I was wondering if I could pickup some second hand MTB wheels for £200 odd that would do almost as good a job. Then if I ever decide to get a 650b HT or FS (quite fancy a FS) I have some wheels I can swap in.
I doubt I'd buy a set of 650b's specifically for gravel riding, they would really only be a major advantage over some of the rougher routes and the 700c's are good enough.