Shorties racing 650c vs 700c wheels?

[Bluetree]

If you fit your bike well, it will do well under many different conditions. At 5-1, I'm planning on using my 44cm Ruby for crits next year. I've gone so far as looking for more speed with a 45cm Colnago, but my Ruby fit better than anything.

It's a versatile little bike. Mine weighs in at 15.9 lbs and climbs like a goat. She's also aero enough that my 112 lbs can reach 50mph on a downhill (although admittedly 45-48mph is more common).

[minan]

If you fit your bike well, it will do well under many different conditions. At 5-1, I'm planning on using my 44cm Ruby for crits next year. I've gone so far as looking for more speed with a 45cm Colnago, but my Ruby fit better than anything.

It's a versatile little bike. Mine weighs in at 15.9 lbs and climbs like a goat. She's also aero enough that my 112 lbs can reach 50mph on a downhill (although admittedly 45-48mph is more common).

I actually got 2 different fits. One for road racing / crits and one for triathlons and TTs. What I do for my triathlon set up is take out the spacers from my headset (I'm going to change out my headset eventually so I can go even lower) and my seatpost/saddle so I'm more forward and lower as well. I gain 2mph with my tri setup.

I do feel that I climb and corner better on my track bike with 650c wheels. But I believe the cornering has to do with the track geometry on my bike, and the climbing has to do with the overall weight of it (no gruppo makes the bike a hell of a lot lighter).

I'm thinking that I'd like to test ride a 650c bike for the hell of it, but am going to save my money for now. If I were to consider buying one again, it would be in the spring when my position may change according to my fitness and flexibility at the time. I like the Orbea Diva, the new Cannondale Six13 Feminine 1, and am also looking at a BMC Streetfire SSW although I don't like the paint job or the tube thickness (I hate flowers. Why do they always think women like flowers on their [racing] bike? Yuck!)