I am finally leaving the world of 650 Wheels. I have raced on them with all the QR bikes that Empfield had sponsored me with since 1989. Since 1999 I have ridden a Cervelo P3 54 cm which came with the option of 650 wheels.
I have just gotten my new P3 Carbon from Cervelo and it only comes with 700’s. No choice now, but it made me curious if there are many people still racing on 650’s. Do you still ride 650’s?
At 5’4" and a 27" inseam, I’m kind of stuck with them.
jaretj
Who rides 650’s? Hopefully anyone who is small enough to warrant them. I hate seeing too-small bikes with 700c wheels ‘just because’. Like 650’s are a bad thing. Yeah, well bike fit is terrible (or at least very difficult) with those huge wheels and small frame… toe overlap is horrendous. I remember seeing a 49cm Trek road bike with 700’s. Looked silly. I think 54cm is borderline, but I can’t blame Cervelo for not offering the option of 650 anymore on that frame- that’s another expensive frame mold that they have to buy for relatively few sales. In my opinion, wheel size should have nothing to do with market trends, and everything to do with bike fit. I’m a shade over 6 feet tall- I ride a 58 cm bike with 700’s and a 19.5" mountain bike with 29" wheels; my 5’4" girlfriend rides a 48cm tri bike with 650’s. It just makes more sense.
I’m on a 51cm P3sl with 650s. Wouldn’t have it any other way. Well, actually, I’d rather be 6’2" and need a 58 cm frame or something like that.
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I’m 6’ and still riding my first tri bike (although nothing except the frame is stock anymore). It’s a bright orange Cannondale MS2000 and it has 650s and it’s all I’ve ever known.
If and when I get a new frame it will probably have to be 700s, I’ll keep the 650 frame and wheels though just in case.
I’m one of those small people (5’3") riding an ill-fitting bike with 700’s. About to put in an order for an appropriately sized 48cm with 650’s.
Does that mean that you’ll be selling some sweet race wheels for those of us that still roll on 650’s? You’re (in)famous for the meticulous manner in which you keep your equipment. Any 650 HED or Zipp that you’ll need to unload?
650’s here. I keep on talking myself out from gettiig a new bike frame. Last year the excuse was that I did not desreve a new fame because I rode too slow. Now, it is that I ride this old thing fast what is the point of getting a new frame. The bike is a 54 Argon 18 Xenon. I am waiting for that great deal on a new bike, till then long live 650’s.
Anyway, I’ll be calliig you after Christmas for a new wetsuit.
5’10" 165,lbs.
Paul
My KM40 in 56cm comes with 650c only. I’ve not seen any frames come along that I think offer any advantage over the KM40, so I’ll stick with it. The tire selection is broad enough to not be an issue. The only reasons I would have to go 700c are they ride a little smoother and you are more likely to be able to borrow a spare tube from a buddy.
5’10" with a 53cm top tube. Would have gotten 650c on my road bike if it was an option.
Yeah, well I’m 5’9" with a 29" inseam. Try buying those pants! Quick what’s your heart rate?
Bernie
i do. I have crazy short legs.
At 5’5", I wonder if I can get away with 700’s? I used to ride faster with them (road bike), i think, but have been on 650’s ever since I got a tri-bike.
Anyway…enjoy your P3c!!!
650c softride Powerwing and getting a 650c P2K. 6 feet 165 for me. I guess I like the uniqueness. I buy tires etc on sale when I see a good deal. I haven’t had any issues.
6’ 225lbs, first year in tris, and I have a softride M/L Classic with 650s. I’d love to find a way just to put 700s onto the same frame; however, I don’t think that it’s possible. During the bike leg of IMFL, I could hear my poor 650ss crying underneath me as they toughed out 112 miles.
Looking at the Felt S22, either 06 or 07, for an upgrade…just don’t tell the misses
650s on the P2K
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Softride 650 RocketTT (med frame, I’m 5’10) – love that bike. With a disc on the rear that bike basically cruises by itself at 22 mph on the flats. And going downhill, watch out!
still riding 650’s on my tri bike and no plans on changing anytime soon. Road bike is 700’s though.
I’ve got 650’s on my 51cm QR Kilo and they look right on that frame. I’m 5’8" so I bridge the 650-700 gap depending on what frame I am looking at.
I have 700’s on my Litespeed roadbike.
tri bike has 650’s - road 700’s…have to be VERY careful about which spare tubes you bring on a training ride.