Hi all, I’m asking for some educated opinions here.
I plan to buy some race wheels over the coming months, and have to make a size decision on them, and I’d appreciate some advice.
i currently have a tri bike with a cheap frame (Tsunami from Chucksbikes) which I built up with Shimano 105 throughout. It has 650 wheels. I was fitted and setup by John Cobb, so I think the fit is pretty good.
I could buy a set of 650 race wheels, and keep the frame, with the possibility of upgrading to another 650 sized frame in the future. Or I could buy a new frame next year, and many are now dropping the 650 sizes from their range, which would mean my wheels would have to go to.
I’m 5’10, 150lb. I have a 15 month plan to do my first ironman in March 2006.
Would you:
a) stick with 650, get the wheels soon, and live with the smaller range of frames in the next few years.
b) hold off buying, buy a new frame and wheels in 700.
I’m never going to be more than MOP, and I’m happy with that. Would it really make much of a difference anywhere except in my head.
As you have pointed out the popularirty and availibility of 650c bikes seems to be slightly on the wain. For some one of you height, I don’t see any real advantages to going with the 650c set up. Some say that for shorter men and women the 650 setup can be a better choice.
I would suggest that you consider going to 700c
better availibility
More options
If buying good wheels, they could be used on both a road bike or tri specific bike
Thanks for that, more things to think about. Going to 700 sure will increase the price of upgrading, which is one of the reasons to stay at 650. Oh, decisions decisions.
Yeah, that’s what I had originally thought. The plan was for an ebay front and a Renn disk, which I would do regardless of the frame.
I wasn’t really sure what a new frame might gain me, if I’m well fitted where I am. But you have to wonder when my frame cost around $350 and a P2K or a Softride is around $1500-$2000.
If you look back on some of the posts, you will see that some have purchased softride rockets (tt?) for like $710, not $1500-2000. I have a buddy that is only like 5’5" and 160 and runs 650’s. Last week, someone had a corima disk that went for $350. Deals are out there, if you are willing to wait. I would go with 700 myself, especially for your size but that is just my 2 cents.
Yup, I had been reading the softride posts, but the frames were 700c only, and only large, which would be too big for me. Certainly worth keeping an eye on though.
If you also already (or are planning to) own a road bike with 700c wheels, then I would recommend getting a tri bike with wheels to match. This would allow you to utilize race wheels or training aids such as PowerTap with both bikes. I am 5’5", and have a tri bike with 650c wheel- I find myself often wishing that I had gotten 700c.
Thanks for the help guys. I realise that I’m going to have to think this through more. I guess I’ll stay with what I have for another 6 months and try to decide if I want (can afford) to upgrade my frame.
Actually, the Softride TT is a 650 frame (TT7 is the 700). I picked one up last week for $710 from greatdeals2020 on ebay. He only has large (650) frames, so I don’t know id that would fit.