650s or 700s?

[Lucky 13]

Hi. I've been riding a 650c on a Cannondale 2.8 aluminum R500, 43cm for the past 5 years. I'm told that it was not originally made for a woman, but for a small man or perhaps small teenager. I'm 5'2 and needed a quite a bit of adjustment from the handlebars, stem, and seat. It fits like a glove. As far as ride, I feel every pebble on the road. Because I am commuting now and need to sometimes roll through the pot holes of Boston, I switched to a hybrid with front shocks and a couch for a seat...a totally different beast, no comparison. I now feel like I am riding the Bismark!

I've done a handful of multiple day charity rides on the 650c and packed wisely. I always carried an extra tube and TIRE with me because I was told that the roaving bike mechanics probably wouldn't carry 650c with them. I remember one charity ride I did and found a woman close to tears because she kept getting flat tires. Come to find out the tire itself was cut and everyone that passed her was riding a 700....couldn't lend her a tire. She was ready to sag. I came along and saved the day(my claim to fame that day!) and gave her my extra tire. Away she went to finish the days ride...smiling.

Good luck

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

gosh all you guys have little feet.

(size 8-9)
mimi

Size 9.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hi. I've been riding a 650c on a Cannondale 2.8 aluminum R500, 43cm for the past 5 years.....As far as ride, I feel every pebble on the road.

Hey Lucky,
You don't say what width 650c tire you are riding on. If you can put a wider (fatter) size 650 on your bike, you will feel a much cushier ride. You might want to find out how wide a 650 your fork and brakes can accomodate. Or just look to see if there is still some space and get the next width or two up from what you have and see how that feels. Even just 3cm could really make a big difference in the feel of the ride. Remember when your tire is wider, it's fatter all around, not just in width. That gives you a very slightly taller bike but more importantly gives you a lot more air to ride on. More air=more shock absorption.

[Lucky 13]

Hi Lisa.

Thanks for your suggestions. I currently have a 23-571 on. Yes, it's true that a wider tire would give a little more give. The fork is another issue.

Cheers.
Lucky

[Triskeliongirl]

I'm awaiting the arrival of a new Terry Isis which will have 650s, so I'll be able to offer an additional comparison by the end of the week (Yipee!). I loved how my Classic felt/fit so much that I wanted a 'go fast' bike from Terry.

I will be really interested to hear how you like this bike. When I ordered my 2005 titanium isis, I ordered the 17.5 rather than 19" to get the shorter top tube and 73 degree seat tube (i can't be set up on a 74 or greater sta like on the newer 19" frames). In my experience I can't be set up on most of the smaller sized 650 or 700c wheeled bikes, cuz either they steepen the seat tube too much for me (which only lengthens the reach since you need to slide your saddle back 1 cm per degree of STA to get the same position), or they have so much trail that the handling is too sluggish. So, I just picked up a 2003 steel isis, 19" but with the 700/24" wheel, 73 degree STA, 49 cm TT) for a song on ebay that I sent to a framebuilder to install s/s couplers and am building as a travel bike. In fact, she shipped today so I will let you know how I like her.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hi Lisa.

Thanks for your suggestions. I currently have a 23-571 on. Yes, it's true that a wider tire would give a little more give. The fork is another issue.

Cheers.
Lucky

Well, it's the same for 650's as it is for 700's: a 700c x 23 tire is going to give you a much harder bumpier ride than a 700c x 28 or so tire. I'm proposing that it's more likely that you are experiencing a bumpy ride because of having 23c skinny tires than it is because you are riding 650's.

[Eden]

Well, it's the same for 650's as it is for 700's: a 700c x 23 tire is going to give you a much harder bumpier ride than a 700c x 28 or so tire. I'm proposing that it's more likely that you are experiencing a bumpy ride because of having 23c skinny tires than it is because you are riding 650's.

Ummmm there are a myriad factors that have their affect on ride - frame material/design, tire width, tire pressure etc. I have 3 bikes, 2 different wheel sizes, but all 23c width and 3 different materials. The ti/650 has the smoothest ride with the least road noise and most bump absorption, followed closely by the all carbon/700c bike and lastly of course the aluminum/carbon fork/stays/700c bike. Oh - I almost forgot the Marin - all aluminum, wide tires - 700 x 35c, rides like a tank......I can take it over any bump or through any pothole I want to but I feel it plenty. I think I need to let some air out of the tires

[GLC1968]

I will be really interested to hear how you like this bike. When I ordered my 2005 titanium isis, I ordered the 17.5 rather than 19" to get the shorter top tube and 73 degree seat tube (i can't be set up on a 74 or greater sta like on the newer 19" frames). In my experience I can't be set up on most of the smaller sized 650 or 700c wheeled bikes, cuz either they steepen the seat tube too much for me (which only lengthens the reach since you need to slide your saddle back 1 cm per degree of STA to get the same position), or they have so much trail that the handling is too sluggish. So, I just picked up a 2003 steel isis, 19" but with the 700/24" wheel, 73 degree STA, 49 cm TT) for a song on ebay that I sent to a framebuilder to install s/s couplers and am building as a travel bike. In fact, she shipped today so I will let you know how I like her.

I was a bit worried about the STA as I believe my 19' classic is a 73 degree and I love it. But the 19.5 tt on the classic is a bit too short for me unless I'm happy sitting quite upright (I have short legs/long torso/short arms). My 19.5 tt Specialized feels right in length, but it's got a 76 degree STA which really works on the girly bits on long rides (and makes the tt feel longer as you mentioned). I figured the 74 degree STA with the longer tt on the 19' Isis should be right. I just hope that 74 feels as much improved over 76 as I am guessing!

I'll definitely let you know how it works out!

[Triskeliongirl]

FYI, I too felt too bunched up on my 19" classic as it is packaged, but found when I put a longer stem on it (10 cm) and long reach drop bars (nitto noodle) it is perfect, and lets me feel more balanced on the bike than if I had a longer TT with short reach stem and bars. I am sure the 19" new isis will work for you, and yes, the 74 degree seat tube angle will give you a 2 cm shorter reach for the same size TT than bikes with 76. For me though, even with a 73 degree STA I had to search really hard to find a laid back enough seatpost, and push my saddle back as far as it will go to get a good KOP, so the 74 was just not an option. I also struggled with this decision (17.5 vs 19 Isis). At least terry lets you return the bike for a refund/exchange if you aren't happy, so you could always size down if necessary. A good shop should also swap out bars and stem if necessary to customize the fit. But, if you were able to get a good KOP on a 76 STA then you will have no problem on 74 (lucky you!) and the bike will definitely look better. Please let us know how you like it!!

[lucye]

My first post here! Bumping this thread up to see whether things have changed much in the 650 vs 700 wheel discussion over the past four years. Debating on what to get for a custom build...thanks in advance!--lucy

[LeicaLad]

I'm currently exploring 650B to use on a vintage frame that is on its way to me now.

It they will fit (to be seen), I'm going with Grand Bois 42cm tires. The fans of this tire say it is even better than the Bismarck (see above).

I hope they'll fit!!!