Wheel size choice

[Cataboo]

really, if this is going to be your go fast bike - you should really go narrower than 700x28 at some point. Really, skinny tires are fun and less work You also get used to them.

I wouldn't put 26"ers on your gunnar - I'm slightly prejudiced towards 700cs, because I hated the one 650c bike I had - and at 5'1, I fit fine on 700s.

There's a ton of 650c vs. 700c threads on here - and really, just decide what you like If gunnar can do it for you, a few people on here have bikes that they can swap in between 26" and 650c tires on them depending on what they're doing with them.

There is a lot more selection available in 700c tires than 650cs, you're more likely to be able to bum an innertube off of someone during a century... (I don't know if sag wagons carry 650c tubes or anything like that). And if you were touring on it, you'd have any easier time getting 700c or 26" tires or tubes or replacement wheels...

[indysteel]

I have no personal experience with 650c wheels, but I'm not sure I understand your preference for 26-inch wheels. I reseached them a bit wheh you asked about upgrading your Surly's wheels a few weeks back, and if I recall, you can't go particularly narrow with them. I also wonder how much coin you'd have to drop to get a pair that's relatively light.

Admittedly I'm partial to my relatively light set of custom wheels. If I were going to the trouble of building a custom steel bike, I wouldn't scrimp on the wheels if I could afford not to, and I certainly wouldn't go with something heavy. Your builder may end up having an opinion about 700c versus 650c wheels based on their design.

Out of curiosity, why the preference for 28s? Not that there's anything wrong with them, I'm just wondering about your reasoning.

[lunacycles]

26 inch wheels allow a variety of tire profiles, down to 25c (1") which is pretty narrow. If you go with 650c you are limited to 20 or 23mm widths (Terry's offered one Panaracer-made tire in something wider, but it isn't great quality, and it isn't necessarily always available). So narrow or really effing narrow. 650B may be a better option for you if you are wanting versatility. 650B is a larger diameter wheel than both 26" and 650c, but it offers more versatility in tire profiles. If you go 650B, however, you can't want a super narrow tire width. That's not what 650B is about.

The reason for going with the smaller wheel isn't exclusively about wanting to prevent toe overlap. When one is short but rides a bike with a larger wheel the front end is unnaturally high. For a lot of women who prefer an upright riding position this isn't a problem. But for those who want the kind of fit that results in ultimate efficiency and power transfer, it is indeed a compromise. A higher front end necessarily forces more weight on the back end of the bike.

In addition, going with a large wheel on a small frame means a very short head tube which can be hard on headsets. Not very compelling these days, but something to mention and add into the mix.

[Catrin]

This is all good information and gives me food for thought. I am certainly going to go with custom wheels, I am just considering the different wheel sizes and what I need/want out of my new Gunnar. Time to go ponder all of this, and find those older threads that Cataboo mentioned

[indysteel]

Margo, can you not run 25 mm tired on 650c wheels?

Thanks for correcting me on the 26-inch wheels. I really thought the profiles were more limited.

With everything you said, is it safe to assume that the builder will have/want some input about the wheels when designing the bike?

[Catrin]

For the Gunnar Sport, the smallest stock size does take 26-inch wheels - and if it turns out that is the size that fits me best then that is what i will have. Just the idea that I might be going full custom has me thinking about all different kinds of things - and thankfully I am working with folks that know a lot more than I do, and with a company that does custom well