Small road bicycles 650c to 650b?

[zap]

My wife is looking for a new road bicycle.

Her current ride is a custom Serotta CSI with 650C wheels. She really likes the bike and is super comfortable with the handling. But replacement bits are getting harder to source.

Time to make the leap to current products.

However, current offering in the 47-50cm range are based on 700 wheels. She tested a Trek Domane 47 yesterday but the handling brought back memories of her first 700c Trek. To illustrate, I could have a snack at the bottom of a twisty descent before she would appear on her Trek. With her Serotta she's right on my wheel......or ahead as she is pretty darn aero.

The best option that I could find so far is Canyon which has 650b wheels (25 tires) on the 2 smaller sizes. Based on quick research, currently tire choices (not too mention wheels) in narrower widths are limited.

What other options are out there?

[DaveS]

My wife has also gone back and forth between 650b and 700c road bikes. She’s currently on a stock geo Gunnar Roadie (700c) which has been great, and doesn’t seem to cause her to slow down at all on twisty descents.

DaveS


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[Ciavete]

If you would consider custom I'd recommend:http://www.hartleycycles.com/bikes/. She does beautiful work.

Cheers.

[ColonelJLloyd]

The Grand Bois Cypres and Hutchinson Confrere are still available (both 32-584).

[zap]

Originally Posted by ColonelJLloyd

The Grand Bois Cypres and Hutchinson Confrere are still available (both 32-584).

This is for a road racing bicycle. 25c is sufficient.

[zap]

Originally Posted by Ciavete

If you would consider custom I'd recommend:http://www.hartleycycles.com/bikes/. She does beautiful work.

Cheers.

Thank you for the link.

[EricEstlund]

Zap, there are not many choices in tire, but the Schwalbe One is a good one. For a road race type of bike, it's a safe bet even in the 700c size. I built one recently, and am happy with the rubber.

[Ciavete]

Originally Posted by zap

Thank you for the link.

You're most welcome. Caren is good people and a very talented builder.

On tires, my shop just got me Panaracer 650c x 28s. They do the job.

[EricEstlund]

It should be noted that the tire range for 650c has never been particularly deep, so it's not a huge hindrance in that the current offerings in both sizes have high overlap.

[thwart]

Moved my wife's bike from 650c to 26" MTB rims due to the lack of tire options, and we're currently running Specialized Flak Jackets, 26 x 1.25. They measure about 30 mm wide.

I realize you don't need tires this wide, but going to 26 inch wheels is another option for you.

[Ciavete]

Another option: https://georgenaterry.com

[zap]

Originally Posted by thwart

Moved my wife's bike from 650c to 26" MTB rims due to the lack of tire options, and we're currently running Specialized Flak Jackets, 26 x 1.25. They measure about 30 mm wide.

I realize you don't need tires this wide, but going to 26 inch wheels is another option for you.

My wife's Serotta has a Kestrel 1" fork....super narrow fork crown. The only current tire (Conti 4k2) that fits are 23c mounted to original Shamal 650c wheels. Same tire mounted on Mavic CXP33 rims will not fit!

My wife test rode some more bikes today. Getting a feel for current components likes/dislikes...........and disc brakes. A lot has changed since Campy Record 9s.

[MisterMurray]

I've been wondering about this same topic. I got my wife on an older 47CM Cannondale Synapse with 700C wheels. She's 5'2". It fits her better than anyhting else she's been on before but still a little large. Been low key looking for something smaller with 650C or 650B wheels. INtersted to hear what other vertically challenged folks are doing. It would be nice to have something that could fit 28mm tires.

[HenryA]

Is it the narrow fork and inability to fit larger tires or the 9 speed parts? Both can be fixed. New wheels, new fork, new group on the frame she is happy with seems to bring everything up to speed.

I don’t think there is a new frame that will be a lot better if equal. Not because an old Serotta can’t be beat but there’s just not that many choices in new factory bikes that will fit. Otherwise, how about a new custom frame?