650C wheels thoughts

[DaveK]

Whats everyone's thoughts on them for a road bike? I want to get the GF a road bike, the triban 3 looks ideal, except for the 650C wheels (she is tiny and the 54cm size will plain not fit). Now I doubt the wheels will ever need changing, if she gets more keen on cycling she will just get a new bike and sell the triban, but how do they ride etc vs 700C? any noticeable difference?

 

[Dusty Bin]

No difference really - they just enable a smaller bike to be built around them. The only minor issue is limited tyre choice in 650c, although there are some - just not very many, and those are mainly narrow, race-oriented tyres. There are plenty of small-framed (ie 44-48cm) 700c bikes available, if size is a problem.

 

[wanda2010]

I have bikes with 650c and 700c wheels. Wheel spin appears easier with the 650s but I'm not a scientist

Most of my bikes are marketed as children's bikes. I don't have a problem with it as I'm just happy I can find bikes for my size/reach/leg length. With the exception of the Tank, all stems are 60mm and handlebars are 38mm, with 165mm cranks.

Did I mention I'm 4'11?

Edited previous post as it read like a boast post.

 

[sreten]

Hi,

Smaller wheels than 700C are needed for smaller people for aggressive race geometry.

"571 mm, 650C, was originally a wide, balloon tire size, used on many older Schwinn cruisers. These days, however, it is mainly
seen on triathlon bikes and time-trial machines. Available tires and rims are mostly very narrow, intended for competition use."

The fact that they use smaller wheels for smaller sizes is a good thing.

Though TBH 559mm (MTB) is the more obvious smaller size with 650B and 700C.

rgds, sreten.

 

[DaveK]

Thanks for the replies guys, I went with the smaller wheels for her in the end.