She’s done a few sprints on her MTB, but wants to step up to a 1/2 next year. She has NO road cycling experience (nor strength) but is a kick ass swimmer.
I was starting to think about a bike for her and ran into a few issues and wanted to ask what ya’ll thought.
All of my bikes (3) have 650c wheels. My favorite is my Calfee and its a 650c wheeled bike with a road geometry frame (74 degree seat tube). My bikes are also all 9 speed Shimano compatible, 2 of them are DA and one Ultegra.
I wanted to make sure her bike wouldn’t require a whole new tire/tube size, and that all of my cassettes, brakes, etc… would be interchangeable with her stuff. That part isn’t so hard, but its the wheel size issue that has me thinking.
She will not allow for spending a fortune on a custom bike, and she wouldn’t be able to truly appreciate it anyway. That means if I’m going to find her a 650 c’d bike it’ll either be rare to find in a road bike or it’ll be a tri-geometry frame - which I don’t want her on. Comfort is her main goal and her main fear of riding is saddle discomfort. My own personal experience (and I know everyone is different) has shown road geometry frames to be more comfy for training around hilly nothern Maryland than tri frames.
She is tall at 5’9" and a little bit more. Finding a road bike to fit her in a 650c wheel size might be tough. Any ideas? I really don’t want to start an inventory of 700c wheeled stuff, I have more than a half dozen sets of 650c wheels and for 10 years have been able to comfortably avoid the 700c issue. I’m not locked into 650c but why make life more difficult if she’s not going to notice the diff?
I guess this could start quite a discussion, so sorry, in advance.
also, if you go to chucksbikes.com, he had a couple of 650 frames, I think.
Be a man and start riding 700c. With half a dozen sets of 650 wheels laying around you could sell them and come out even. 650c was so 90’s
and softride? sorry for the numerous posts, these keep popping into my head.
Be a man and start riding 700c. With half a dozen sets of 650 wheels laying around you could sell them and come out even. 650c was so 90’s
Congratulations on what is undoubtedly going to take top honors in “most worthless response ever”
I’m 5’5" and ride a 50cm frame. 700c wheels on that size frame looks like a circus bike, not to mention the dangerous toe overlap.
I don’t know if I can answer your question on availability of 650c road bikes, but I think its a mistake to assume that road geometry always makes for a more comfortable ride. Lots of things factor into the equation, namely tires, tire pressure,frame material and design, choice of saddles with or without a neoperine pad and the “Demerly factor” fit. I have several bikes and my tri bike a KM40 is the most comfortable.
Richard
I don’t know if I can answer your question on availability of 650c road bikes, but I think its a mistake to assume that road geometry always makes for a more comfortable ride. Lots of things factor into the equation, namely tires, tire pressure,frame material and design, choice of saddles with or without a neoperine pad and the “Demerley factor” fit. I have several bikes and my tri bike a KM40 is the most comfortable.
Richard
Yes Richard, that is true, and why I said “My own personal experience (and I know everyone is different)”
FWIW, I’m 5’ 11" and ride a 650. My coach who’s 6’2 and has IM age group records all over the world rides a 650 (has tried a 700 with no discernable difference in feel or times).
Hope that helps.
You don’t mention how tall she is, but the Cervelo One in 48cm comes in 650c. It would be a great road/tri bike with drop bars and STI and clip-ons- if it fits her.
You’ve got a bit of a dilema. She’s got little cycling experience so jumping to a tri bike is not a good idea. That’s exactly why trigeeks have the reputation for bike handling skills that they do. Get a road bike and join a roadie group to learn the basic skills. Also going from never having done a tri to a half IM is quite a step. Should she not try a sprint/Oly or two first?
Problem is, at 5’9" she’s well above the the small person size that you’d find a 650 wheel size road bike. As stressed many times on this forum, it’s all about proper fit. In fact she’s about maximum height for 650 on a tri bike and could just as easy ride a 700 tri bike.
I think you should just bite the bullet and get a 700 road bike initially. Lots of good second hand ones out there or a new Giant OCR or Felt won’t break the bank. Fit it with shorty areo bars and she’s ready to tri. Get the tri bike later if she likes trathlon.
Kestrel 500sc. . .you can find them used at bargain prices. Its a Kestrel. . .nuff said.
The tire tube size shouldn’t be as big investment (moving up to 650) as: a) finding a 650 frame in a 75 or greater angle and 54cm plus b) keeping addtional 650 tires and tubes (which are expensive and limited options.) If you go to 700 for her, you’ll be money ahead and be able to select among a great number of used or quality entry level bikes. I own both sized bikes and the 700 is much easier to manage in the supply dept. (I’ve never seen a really good deal on 650 tires.)
once again, chucks bikes, even though on the whole, I think you’re right. That’s why I switched to 700 this year. and no, I don’t have any affiliation with that site, just a good place for bargains, if you know what you’re looking for.
BTW - Bought my fiance a new bike as an engagement present (as opposed to a ring), Specialized Dolce (women’s geometry). She loves her bike.
You asked what you should do…So pull up your skirt and grab your sack…You don’t see anyone riding 650’s in the pro peloton. While your at it go ahead and explain “dangers of toe overlap”…
Bought my fiance a new bike as an engagement present (as opposed to a ring)…
My god man! That’s genius!
Aw, look at little Bryan, he’s cute when he tries to be manly. Has it ever worked even once?
Pro peleton? What do you think this is about, riding pro or perhaps trying to “be like Lance?”
Most/many of us here are OK with ourselves and don’t feel your obvious need to pose.
I retract my earlier statement, THIS was your most worthless response ever.
“Bought my fiance a new bike as an engagement present (as opposed to a ring)”
That’s the nice thing about my wife - I never did ever have to buy her a ring. Neither of us wear one. She’s very appreciative of scuba or triathlon gear. Makes her an easy woman to shop for.
I think you guys suggesting I bite the different wheel size bullet are probably right on the money. Thanks.