700c v 650 wheels

[mimitabby]

Ah, Susan, I saw you stroking those Rodriguez bikes. And Smiley is so fun to work with! He fitted us to our tandem, and it was worth every cent for the entertainment alone!

[xeney]

But gee Mimi, once you get the 650b rims you are set with that. As to tires...well tires you just get on the internet with a click of a button- you don't have go traveling around looking for various 650B tires in bike shops. Most shops just carry top selling stuff anyway.

The 650b's are even more limited than the 650c's, though! You can't get those any smaller than 30mm, not in the U.S. I really wish that, instead of pushing these two wheel sizes separately, bike manufacturers would get together and push for the availability of a wider range of tire sizes in one or the other. Wouldn't that make so much more sense?

The LBS I frequent carries what people want. They carry 27" stuff even though that's an outdated wheel size that is not used on any current bike that I know of, because they have enough customers with older bikes to support them keeping some of those tires in stock. But even though they sell a lot of women's bikes, including some with 650c wheels, they don't even have tubes in stock for 650b tires. That would drive me insane, not being able to buy a tube locally.

[Susan126]

Ah, Susan, I saw you stroking those Rodriguez bikes. And Smiley is so fun to work with! He fitted us to our tandem, and it was worth every cent for the entertainment alone!

Smiley, great name . . . I can't wait to be entertained by him!

Guilty mimi . . . I was drooling at the Bike Expo at the Rodriguez booth! I didn't realize people would be witness to this . . . Head hanging in shame.

[mimitabby]

Silly, I was sitting right next door to them!

[sbctwin]

I would much rather have 700c wheels, but alas, this height challenged biker (4'10") wanted a bike that would fit and couldn't afford custom. It is nice having a bike that fits, so I guess I can't complain, but I do feel, at times, that I don't cover the same ground that someone with 700c wheels cover if I ride side by side with them, without expending more energy...

[DeniseGoldberg]

I would much rather have 700c wheels, but alas, this height challenged biker (4'10") wanted a bike that would fit and couldn't afford custom. It is nice having a bike that fits, so I guess I can't complain, but I do feel, at times, that I don't cover the same ground that someone with 700c wheels cover if I ride side by side with them, without expending more energy...

But - you actually can have the same gearing as someone with 700c wheels. Gearing is dependent on 3 things - the size of your wheels, the number of teeth on the chainrings, and the number of teeth on the rear cluster. It's entirely possible that manufacturers are not changing the chain rings or cluster to give you the same gearing on a 650c wheel as you would have with a 700c wheel - but it should be possible to configure a bike that matches.

For example - I have a touring bike with 700c wheels and another touring bike with 406c (20") wheels. And the two bikes have identical gearing.

--- Denise

[sbctwin]

Thanks, Denise...I may have to count those teeth on my chainrings and find out exactly what I have. I need to be more knowledgeable about some of this stuff. There was a time, many years ago, that I actually knew a few things about my bike, but I let that knowledge go where most unused knowledge goes ...

[Susan126]

Don't get me wrong I love my 650 bike it's just I'm such a "girl" I love to have a lot of choices whether it's for shoes, clothes, OR WHEELS! When it's time to buy new tires for the road bikes Joe and Jackie oogle and oooohhhh over the many selections and I have maybe one or two.

I have averaged 17 mph (three years ago when I was in shape) riding with my hubby and our psycho bike friends. I remember keeping up with dh and looking at my speed and was surprised to see we were cruising on a flat stretch doing 24 mph and I was right on his tail. I love the quick acceleration that the 650s offer and I know I will give up some things in place of other things offered by the 700 wheels. I know the hills will be a tad bit harder having to turn over a larger wheel but hey my legs are strong (or will be again).

mimi . . . that's right your booth was close to the Rodriguez booth. You caught me in the act of major bike lust!

[mimitabby]

Thanks, Denise...I may have to count those teeth on my chainrings and find out exactly what I have. I need to be more knowledgeable about some of this stuff. There was a time, many years ago, that I actually knew a few things about my bike, but I let that knowledge go where most unused knowledge goes ...

SBCTWIN, let me save you some time. There are NUMBERS on each little chain ring if you can find them. Hope that helps.