650 vs 700 tires

[spazzdog]

That's wierd about your experience at Wheelworks... everytime I go in there it's been fine. I bought my bike there, but admittedly I don't go at holidays or on weekends... it's just too busy in there.

Perhaps the xmas "cheer" had done it's number on yet another group of retail workers.

Surly & MBB, which towns are y'all in again? Take it to PM if you'd rather.

[Surlygirl]

Hey Spazzdog,
I'm in Grafton, just south of Worcester.
Here you are going west to ride the Cinderella. Sooooo jealous. Especially with the weather we're having here lately.

[Surlygirl]

Karen,
Sorry to hear about your experience with Belmont. I've heard good things about Harris Cyclery too though. They are just a little farther than I want to drive for bike stuff though. BA is only 9 miles from me so not bad. Trek Stop is down the bottom of the hill from me but they drive me crazy in there so I avoid them. Slow service, slow response and impossible to get waited on.
Can one have to many bikes? My hubby bought 2 this year. I figure if he's going to have a mid life crisis, better it be bikes than babes. LOL.

[massbikebabe]

Surly:

Maybe like Spazz said...they were just holiday cheered out.
I had gone in during the summer and they were a wee bit more helpful. I've never been in Trek Stop...but have not heard good things...aaaahhhhh, when I open my shop....

karen

ps-Harris is not so far...just off the pike to 30 to W. Newton

[massbikebabe]

Cali:

To truly answer your original question, I have 650 tires and have never had a problem getting them. I always carry 2 tubes just in case. The only thing I hate about the 650's is they never seem to go on sale...

karen

[Adventure Girl]

To truly answer your original question, I have 650 tires and have never had a problem getting them. I always carry 2 tubes just in case. The only thing I hate about the 650's is they never seem to go on sale...

It's like wearing size 5-1/2 shoes (I have small wheels and small feet! ). The shoe/tire selection isn't great, and yes... you rarely find them on sale!

[Surlygirl]

Can you guys tell me what kind of bikes you have with 650 wheels. I'm thinking of going that route since I'm only 5.0 tall. I'd like to stick with steel so I may have to go custom. I have the same problem with mountain bikes, I have an old Gary Fisher tassahara in xs and I still have no standover height. I think Titus has an xxs frame. Any suggestions?

[Dirt Girl]

Can you guys tell me what kind of bikes you have with 650 wheels. I'm thinking of going that route since I'm only 5.0 tall. I'd like to stick with steel so I may have to go custom. I have the same problem with mountain bikes, I have an old Gary Fisher tassahara in xs and I still have no standover height. I think Titus has an xxs frame. Any suggestions?

I'm 5'1" with something like a 27" inseam and ride a small Santa Cruz Juliana. It don't have any problem with standover. If you can try out a Titus, though, go for it. I understand they are pretty sweet. The local LBSs didn't carry them at the time I was looking.

I've recently been looking for a road bike. If the LBS can figure out the right handlebar set up for me, I'll be getting a Trek 2000 with 650 wheels. It is aluminum though. The Specialized Dolce is pretty nice, but I found the ride to be a little more rough than the Trek. I've had a very hard time trying to find steel in a size that will fit both me and the budget. If you're willing to spend the money, options increase for a small steel frame. I rode a nice Co-motion steel in a 46 cm but it was about twice what I'm willing to spend on a first road bike. The Jamis Quest is a great deal for a steel frame with some nice components but the wheels are 700 even in the smallest frame size. And of course options really increase when you consider custom!

Good luck in the search. Let us know if you find something!

[massbikebabe]

Surly:

I have a Trek 5200 with 650 wheels. I love the carbon. If your interested in staying with steel I think Giant makes a smaller frame and there is a Giant dealer in Worcester.

karen

[emily_in_nc]

Some of the Terry models come with two 650 wheels and most are steel. Check them out at www.terrybicycles.com. They have a section where people post used Terrys for sale, too.

I ride an Aegis Swift with 650 wheels and love it. Nothing wrong with smaller wheels - I'm 5'2" and wouldn't ride a bike with two 700c wheels. I also have a Bike Friday with 20" wheels that I love to death! And a Terry with a 24" wheel in front, 700 in back. All are great.

Emily

[Surlygirl]

Okay, who bought the beautiful pink demo bike at the Luna site? I just saw it and they just told me it was sold a few days ago. Caligirl? Just kidding.
I was so psyched, now I'm bummed.

Emily, I tried to test a Terry at an LBS but they didn't have my size and wanted a 500.00 deposit to get one in for me to try. No thanks.
So I'll keep looking and drooling.

[SadieKate]

Surly, have you looked at the FAQs on Terry Bicycles's website? They'll work directly with you and have a return guaratee. I have a friend who found an older model Ti frame in San Francisco, had some questions about it, called Terry and ended up talking with Georgena herself. She was incredibly impressed with their responsive, helpfulness, etc. How far are you from them?

[Surlygirl]

East Coast just outside of Boston. I'm sure if I called them they would help. I'm just looking right now. I think if I get a new bike it will be a custom. I've been buying bikes that come close to fitting for to long.

[Trek420]

Quick note back on the 650 size subject before I get back to work. I have a full custom Mondonico, standard full size wheels, no toe overlap issues, top tube hardley even slants and I'm 5'1". Don't know how he does it but somehow he does.

[emily_in_nc]

Quick note back on the 650 size subject before I get back to work. I have a full custom Mondonico, standard full size wheels, no toe overlap issues, top tube hardley even slants and I'm 5'1". Don't know how he does it but somehow he does.

Do you have tiny feet? I wear a size 7 and have a little bit of toe overlap even on my Aegis with 650C wheels and a 19.1" top tube! Given the same frame geometry, 700C wheels would result in a lot more toe overlap, which wouldn't be acceptable to me. I'm pretty impressed with the Mondonico, but perhaps your top tube is long for your height?

Emily