650 x 25 tires

[Kathi]

I'm assuming you have the stock wheelset that came with the bike so how about a handbuilt wheelset? When I was comtemplating this when I built my custom frame. I searched and discovered from a wheelbuilder's website that 650c are approx. 25% stiffer than the same 700c wheelset build.

I was riding on some pretty crummy road today and remembered the days of riding chip and seal in Indiana on an aluminum frame, my whole body suffered from the vibrations and I would get pretty worn out from the beating. On my Serotta and the handbuilt wheelset I barely felt any road buzz. The only thing I can't get rid of is the breaks in the pavement.

Even my 650c American Classics, supposedly built for small riders, are a harsher ride on my ti/carbon Serotta than my custom built wheels.

I tour on my bike and ride all kinds of conditions and I'm sold on handbuilt wheels.