All other factors being the same, what’s faster … 650 wheels or 700 wheels?
Bob C.
Do a search string on this and you will find more discussion than you can stand.
If I was buying today, I would go 700 as it is getting harder to find items for 650 wheels.
I switched to a 700 for the same reasons listed above. Plus, I can interchange stuff betwenn my road bike and tri bike.
Well, all other factors are not the same, and it’s THOSE factors that usually are what make people go one way or another. The aerodynamic benefits are a push, because anything you gain from the wheel you usually lose to the frame. Lower wheel weight (okay, lower rotational moment of inertia) will help the wheel accelerate easier (and coast down faster), so if you do a lot of criterium-type triathlons, the 650s might be of some benefit. Otherwise, it’s all those unequal factors (availability, interchangeability) that make up folks’ minds.
All other factors being the same, what’s faster … 650 wheels or 700 wheels?
Bob C.
Was this the stupid newbie question 
"Well, all other factors are not the same … "
Duh.
“… it’s all those unequal factors (availability, interchangeability) that make up folks’ minds.”
Well, maybe there was an answer in there, somewhere.
Lets try this the hard way, then. I have a Trek Equinox 9 with 650 wheels. I like the bike. It’s comfortable. But it’s a real pig in any hills … especially if I have the Renn disc in the back. I also own a Cervelo Soloist that I use for road riding. I’m considering getting a set of the new HED bars and a HED disc to go on that bike. It should be somewhat lighter than the Trek. Components will be a couple off rungs up the ladder (DA10 vs. a mix of 105 and Bontrager). The biggest difference will be that it’ll have 700 wheels. (HED Alps for the front end on both rigs.) If I go this route, I’ll probably sell the Trek and I have another nice road bike, so I won’t miss having the Cervelo for normal road rides. The 700 vs. 650 question is one of the key variables in evaluating whether or not to do this. I have 650 wheels already. I have friends who have better ones I can borrow. Availability issues don’t concern me. Speed concernds me. So, with that additional info about the “other variables,” any thoughts?
Thanks,
Bob C.
Same as I already wrote – if you’re going to do a lot of accelerating, then the 650s would have a slight edge.
See this article
http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/techctr/650ctoday.html
.
"See this article
http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/techctr/650ctoday.html "
Excellent! Thank you very much!
Bob C.
