Looking for a truthful answer

[brok]

I have a question for those "petite" women who ride a rode bike with 650 wheels. I have been given some many different opinions by the lbs people - mostly men, that I am unsure what to believe and what not to believe. My questions are 1)assuming you have ridden a 700 wheeled bike - is the ride on the 650's rougher? and 2) I understand the 650s are easier to get up to speed but is it also more difficult to maintain that speed? I ride with a group of "taller" cyclist who all ride 700 wheels and I don't want to struggle to keep up. I have a chane to by a Trek madone that has 650 wheels but thought I would seek out some expert advice/opinions from you ladies. Thanks for the input.

[cindysue]

sorry - I'm - not petite but thought I'd give you that "honest" answer you were looking for anyway........

I'm 5'10 and was recently fitted on a WSD w/ 650 wheels. Before that I had 700 wheels - and to be honest I don't think switching has made any difference. Here are my thoughts on the things you mention:

1) the ride actually seems smoother - but this is probably due to the fact that I now have a carbon seat stay and fork.

2) speed? hmmm, I haven't noticed any problem with maintaining higher speeds - but then again - I don't race - so being speedy isn't something I strive for. I like staying in the 15-20 mph range on the flats and haven't had any problems doing so.

Best of luck!

[brok]

and I'm not a racer either. I just don't want to be dropped on any rides because of the 650s and it sounds like you don't have any problems. I like to be between that 16-20 mph range. I appreciate your input.

[brok]

also, just out of curiousity - what size wsd do you ride at 5'10??

[bluerider]

Hi brok,

I am by no means an "expert" but I am 5'2 and ride a 47cm Trek 1500 WSD. Ah the Madone....*wiping up drool*...

I think if your bike is below 50cm you shouldn't be too concerned because it should handle just like a 700C wheel on a bigger bike. How tall are you? If you are petite like me, riding on a 650C would be more suitable.

I also don't think some bikes in smaller sizes can even accomodate the bigger wheels. Also, because it's a bigger wheel I would imagine the 750C moves over the road better but the 650C are more aero. I know lots of triathletes who are not petite that ride on 650C but they do so on a tri bike and not a road bike.

[brok]

I'm also 5'2. I currently ride a Specialized Dolce Elite 48cm with 700s. I like this bike but am also drooling for the madone. I would also need the 47cm - I just wasn't sure about the 650s.

[bluerider]

Hey brok,

Have you ridden the 650Cs? If you feel good on the 700Cs then you should stick with it. Although the Madone sounds mighty tempting...

Good luck and let us know what you end up deciding.

[bluerider]

Brok...

Is this the one???? I...MUST...HAVE...

[annie]

I am 5'1. I've been riding a Trek Project One WSD, 50 cm. frame for 3 years. It has 650 wheels or I wouldn't be able to ride that size frame, which fits me in every other way. I LOVE the 650 wheels, 'cause I have never have to worry about toe overlap. Ever. And they are not a problem in any way. They accelerate quickly. I have not noticed any difference as far as keeping up speed. Just by virtue of being smaller, they are lighter weight.

I make sure to always carry my own tubes and a patch kit, as it is less likely that anyone else will have a tube that size to loan. There aren't as many tires out there in that size. You have to really look around to find what you like, but it is certainly possible. For me, the advantages outweigh any little inconveniences.



annie

[DirtDiva]

I'm not a roadie, so I can't give you an informed opinion here, but surely the ease of getting up to speed and maintaining that speed has more to do with the size of your cogs/chainrings than the size of your wheels..?

[DeniseGoldberg]

tlkiwi is right. Your gearing is a function of the size of the wheels, the chainrings, and the rear cluster. It is possible to have the same gearing on a bike with 650c wheels as with 700c wheels.

As an example, I have 3 bikes - a diamond-framed touring bike with 700c wheels, a Bike Friday Air Glide set up as a touring bike with 406 (20") wheels, and a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket set up as a road bike with 451 (20") wheels. The two touring bikes have identical gearing, despite the different wheel sizes. The other difference between the two bikes is the size of the chain rings. I have much larger rings on the little-wheeled bike. And my little-wheeled road bike (deliberately) has higher gearing than both of the touring bikes.

That said, I still can't answer your question about 650 vs. 700 because I have no idea how the manufacturer configured the gearing. It is very possible that the gearing is the same - but that would depend on either the chainrings or the cluster being a different size since the wheels are already different.

[brok]

bluerider - no, I'm looking at the '05 http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Road..._WSD/index.php but the '06 would be work too

[bluerider]

Ooooh la la...me like, me like...

[Crankin]

I am no technical expert, but I ride a Trek 5200 47 cm WSD with 650 wheels (the "old" version of the Madone). I love my bike. I am 5 foot 1. This summer I went on a bike trip with Trek travel and rode a Madone 47 cm with 700 wheels. I don't know how they fit the bigger wheels on such a small bike, but I hated it. The whole bike felt different; I felt like I was up on a higher bike and generally it took me a while to get used to it. I noticed no difference in my speed, but a lot in the handling. I don't race, but if i were you, I would buy the bike that fits. Most people will tell you not to get the 650 wheels, but they don't know what it's like to be short!

[brok]

Robyn, how was there a 47cm with 700 wheels? Was it a test bike for the possibility of putting 700s on the small frames in the future?