650C vs. 700C wheels - Need advice

Fitmiss

You can look at the Specialized Dolce line which are specifically designed for women. You can get a frame to fit you and have the 700c wheels. At a minimum, you can ride both the Dolce and the Trek 1000 and decide which one feels best. Here is a link to the Dolce group of bikes. http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkFam...c5i1o3jp.j27007

mweber

HI there,
After much test-riding and research regarding 700 vs 650 wheels, I bought a 51cm TREK 5000 WSD, which has 650 wheels. I also rode the 2100 in 51cm, which has 700 wheels but is only partial carbon. The 5000 is so great because the frame fits me and the wheels do too-- the bike is so responsive and easy to control vs the 700 wheels on nearly the same frame. I haven't noticed a negative difference changing from the bigger wheels on my old bike. All the differences are positive: good fit, great handling, fabulous acceleration. The smaller wheels, for me, are only a positive.

Fitmiss

After a lot of thought, I'm now considering the Trek 5000 as well and think that going with a carbon frame is more important than the 700c wheels. I will probably get measured this weekend.

Questions
-Did you swap out any components when you bought the bike?
-How tall are you?
-When you stand over the top tube, are you can you put both feet on the floor or are you on your tippy toes? (I'm told that is how it is with a road bike although I think I should be able to comfortably stand)
Thank you in advance for any information or feedback you have regarding this bike.

new2bikes

My LBS guy came back from Costa Rica and put my bike (the 5000) together this past weekend. I went yesterday so he could fine tune the fit and give me some practice using the clipless pedals. Unfortunately, I couldn't take it home because it was pouring. So I'm still waiting to get on it. This weekend had better be sunny!

To answer your questions:
I'm not going to swap out anything until I ride it for a couple of weeks. Then I'll have a better idea of what feels good and what doesn't. I don't know enough yet to make that kind of decision without trying it out first. I have a strong suspician that the saddle will need to go, so I'm also interested in knowing what mweber did about her saddle - or anyone else who has that same saddle.

I'm barely 5 feet tall with a 70 cm inseam. I can stand comfortably over the top tube with about an inch of clearance and with my feet flat on the floor; although with padded shorts, I think it may be less than an inch. I cannot sit on the saddle and put my feet flat on the floor. Tippy toes there, but I don't think that's a concern because I'm used to getting off my other bike, which is way too high for me, when I come to lights. However, I didn't have clipless pedals before, so I expect to be challenged in that respect. I'm trying to decide where I should practice before I go for a real ride.

We set the saddle and handlebars to be pretty much even in height, although my LBS guy thought I could handle the handlebars a little lower - more racy. I decided to keep it even for a few weeks to see how easy, or not, it is for my body to get used to being in road bike position.

I hope this helps. I'd love to know what others have done as well.

Eden

I'm pretty much exactly your same size 5'0" with a 28" inseam. I've just ordered an (aluminium) Fuji Provence (a shop in the area did actually have a Bordeaux, which is the same frame, one step down on the components so I did get to test ride it a little). I'm a little surprised you are going with a 47cm, that seems a little tall to me (I'm going with a 44cm), but I also have very short arms and have been having a lot of trouble with my right shoulder - way over reaching on my current bike, so the shortest top tube possible is very important to me.

I'm also kind of happy to see all of the postitive comments about the smaller wheels. I haven't given it a second thought, as I didn't think I really had a choice, but I'm glad to see that it was probably a very good choice.

Best of luck, I know all to well being this size can make it difficult to find exactly what you are looking for, and bike shops for the most part are pretty uninformed about women's bikes in general.
Eden

Fitmiss

Although I was looking strongly at the Specialized Dolce Comp I concluded that I wanted a carbon frame so went back to the shop that deals with Trek. I decided that I would deal with thr 650c wheels in exchange for the carbon frame. However, Trek came out with the Pilot and it has 700c wheels. My LBS feels this is the "perfect" bike for me. The components are very similar to the 5000.

I'm probably a tad under 5"2 with a 75.5 cm inseam. The Pilot is a 50cm frame. I tried my friend's 47cm 5200 for size and it was too small. On a road bike, you need the clearance standing over the top tube but you are only supposed to touch the ground with your tippy toes sitting on the seat as I am told.

My bike is ready for me but I left it at the shop due to heavy rain. It's been too cold and rainy to ride it this weekend anyway. I'm crossing my fingers for better weather next weekend! I'm really excited to ride.

kaian

I ended up getting a 43cm WSD Trek 1000 with 650 wheels. I love it! It may not be a "high end" bike, but I'm not racing, so who cares! This bike is really light and fast and it's the right size for me! At first I thought about swapping out the Sora components for 105, but I think I am going to just wait until I wear them out. The shop I bought it from has everything set up really well and the shifting is very smooth.

I haven't noticed much change with the 650 wheels. I actually felt a little faster because the wheels are lighter and can move quicker. I love that the handlebars are the right width, too (38). It just makes the bike so much more comfortable.

Fitmiss

This is the time of year for us all to buy and enjoy our new bikes!

Eden

Indeed indeed, I got to pick up my new bike today too! I got a woman's model Fuji Provence. I was expecting it to have 650 wheels because I orderd a 44cm, but lo and behold it has 700c's. I was quite surprised, but its all cool with me. the tires do not appear to interfere with my feet at all.
In any case I really needed a smaller bike, my old one has been destroying my right shoulder (too long on the top tube, causing me to stretch too far and hold the handlebars waaay to tight I now realize), but I really did not expect it to feel soooooo good and fast too. I rode it home from the shop and I wish I had my computer installed so that I could see if it was just my imagination. Maybe it was just the new bike glow (or maybe it is the 5 fewer pounds the new bike weighs?), but it felt zippy, I felt zippy and it hasn't even really been all adjusted properly yet.
I debated with myself about getting a new bike for a long time, now I say don't wait!!! If your bike doesn't fit you well get one that does!

Fitmiss

I actually picked up my bike from the shop last night! I did not ride it home as I also bought a car rack and it was dark. I rode it for 2 minutes but I just know it's gonna be a great ride! I had to go to work today but couldn't help staring at my new beautiful bike before I left. Sunday will be my first group ride with the bike club.

My bike is silver with Zebra handlebar tape. Now I'm looking for a Zebra helmet and whatever else I can find. Specialized had an 04 Zebra Team helmet but they are out of stock. I'm going to keep my eyes open for one. It would be cool to find a Zebra saddle as well.

Txcyn

Hey,
Hows that new bike working out??

Eden

Which one, a bunch of us seem to have gotten new ones recently -I've been on my new Fuji for about 2 weeks and I LOVE IT. 5lbs lighter than my old one and a much better fit. I couldn't be more thrilled and should have done it a long time ago. I'm still having shoulder problems on longer rides, but I've gained about 2mph at least.

Fitmiss

Well my Trek Pilot 50 is great!! It has been a little cold here on the East Coast so I haven't gotten in that much riding time. She's just aching to fly -- I can tell. It is going to be a great summer of riding.

CindyK

I bought a Cannondale R400 w/650 wheels last summer. I planned to take do triathlons and word was, 650s are the way to go. Now I've become more interested in ATTEMPTING crits and road races.
I've had some difficulties riding in a pack tho...I seem to accelerate faster and slow down slower, with the end result that I'm always close to overlapping wheels and tapping the brakes. Granted it could be lousy group riding skills, but has anyone else experienced this? (I'm the only rider with 650s usually).