Custom Bike - 650 vs. 700 wheels

[MM_QFC!]

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PS--Get what you want. You're going to be riding your custom bike for a very long time.

+1

I have 1 of each and love them: 650s on my custom steel Rodriguez
700s coming on my soon-to-be here "replacement" Seven (titanium)...yes, there's a toe overlap consideration on the 700 wheelset and I'll have @10 degree of slope on my top tube, but I had it on my previous Seven (destroyed by a car crash) and it was not ever an issue. I was aware that 3 things need to happen, at the same time for a toe overlap calamity to happen: very slow speeds, hard turn of the front wheel and front foot in wrong position. I had that bike for 4 yrs and it never was an issue, so I don't expect with the new one either.

I'd only suggest that you pack or carry at least a replacement tire as I had a surprise blowout while on a training ride once. Not in Seattle proper, but out in the Carnation valley to the East; I tried to boot it but it wouldn't hold. Luckily a friend's husband was providing support in his pick-up, so he took me to 5 different bike shops in every town all along our century route; no one carried 650s, so my ride ended too darn early that day. That's the only time it happened to me, but I learned my lesson f'sure and since the Rodriguez is now my commuter bike w/a rack, I have a replacement (folder) tire stowed/along on every ride now.

The other incident with 650s was on the Montana AIDS Vaccine ride in 2001 and my friends tire blew while we were sitting near our bikes at our lunch stop. The ride mechanic did not have any 650s and, since we were in the middle of the ride week, she had to get someone to driver her into Bozeman
(1.5hr drive off the route ) in order to buy a new set...whew! (She also now carries at least 1 back-up tire EVERYwhere!).
It would be great if 650s did become more commonplace, in order to avoid those exceptional situations that stop rides completely, but it's a caveat to plan for taking along anything that you might need, that's all.
Tailwinds!
Mary

[Blueberry]

I'd go with 700.

You're selling your Friday since you're getting this bike, right? That makes me think you're planning to use it for longish riding and maybe touring. With 650c wheels, you will not (from what I've heard) have wide enough tire options. With 650b wheels (not that you mentioned that option), you wouldn't have narrow enough tire options for fast-ish club rides (my opinion, I know folks disagree). It seems you would have to pick one purpose or the other.

Either way, I'm sure you'll love the bike. Natalie builds some beautiful bikes!!

CA

[TrekTheKaty]

I've got 700's so that my DH and I can share tubes on the ride--if needed. Seems silly, but my sis and her DH had different tires and it can be stressful on a long ride with multiple flats.

[katluvr]

I am a little late to chime in. Obviously from this thread it is "to each her own"!
I had a 43 cm Trek w/ 650c wheels. I was jus so excited that I could find a road bike to fit me at 4'10". After a few years I wanted more and I really wanted 700c wheels. Call me crazy but I felt having smaller wheels put me at a disadvantage with all those w/ 700.
Also it was hard to find ANYONE that carried a bike small enough to ride and check out. And I wanted carbon. I wanted a "step up" as I had been riding for a while and thought I could move up from my entry level bike.
I ended up w/ a Lemond (yep, my LBC carries Treks and Lemonds only--but I love my bike guy). It is a 45..yep pretty tall for me..I don't have much room when standing. But I got my 700c wheels and believe it or not this bike "fits" me better. (yes WSD)--but the feel when I am on it is great.
So it be the 700c or that I am in better shape or the sleek carbon bike I "feel" at less of a disadvantage. So probably all in my head.
So moral of the "thread"--to each their own. What fits and looks good to you.
I always just carried extra tubes and never really had an issue with needed a replacement "wheel".
I am happy on my new "big girl bike w/ big girl wheels". But not all would be.
Happy pedaling!