Triathlon - 650-700cc which do you ride and why

Hello, I now have 3 bikes from which to chose however I am leaning to the schwinn because I can get it from a shop and hopefully get a better fit and service Vs. mail order and issues that may come up. That being said I saw a sweet 650 wheel bike for sale used on ebay a litespeed I alreadt ride a ti road bike. I have not seen many guys riding 650, is it old school?

Unless you're very short, yes, it's old school.

If you're short, however, it can be an excellent way to keep a rational geometry to a small bike.

Be aware though that just because it's old school doesn't mean there is anything WRONG with it. If the bike fits you and is comfortable, don't let the 650 wheels disuade you.

Well.... All else being equal, I'd suggest against 650 wheels. It's harder to get tyres and tubes. There'll also be fewer options for upgrades along down the road (because we all know we love the upgrades! :) The gearing will also be strange, though that's not insurmountable.

Also, while a 650 wheel will accelerate faster than a 700, the 700 will coast better. As Triathlons don't have the sort of quick accelerations that, say, a crit or track race would, a 700 would, in theory, better suit the long consistent slog of a Tri.

That said, it's certainly not the most important thing to be considering in a purchase.

I have decided mostly out of the lack of $ to simply buy a new stem, bar combo and maybe end shifters for my old cad 3 c-dale. I have excellent wheels on my road bike and will swap them out. Rolphs go to the c-dale tri bike the ultegras with MAvics go to the road bike. I can upgrade for $300 VS. the $1K-1,200.
My wife will not need to kill me and I get a New to Me bike. I fin that the most exciting part is the search not the purchase....I hope to save 2K and get up to date cool stuff next winter.

. Thanks guys

I use 700's mainly because the bikes that fit me the best came with that size wheel. There were other bikes in my general size range (I'm 5'3") which had 650c wheels. A part of my decision came from the fact that it's easier to find tires and tubes, and also do repairs on the road while training. I've never run into anyone (well 1 person maybe) in the last few years who actually had the smaller wheels.

My Tri bike is 650, and I have always loved the response from it. My road frame is 700 and I like that as well during the climbs of Italia each summer.
When I ride with a group going long, I enjoy 700. When I want to train and race really fast and aero, I go 650.


http://www.bicitreregioni.com

I'm with Bic3. You hit it on the head. Both are fine as long as you enjoy them for what they are best suited for.

I'm 6'2" and just bought a 650 softride and a pair of HED 3s for it... all because theyre a LOT cheaper than 700s on ebay AND i love retro gear. People say bigger wheels roll faster, I'm not sure... but I am sure that a 650 wheel has shorter spokes to hit the wind. i dont see tire/tube availablity as a problem. I've never bought tubes, let alone a tire, for a bike mid ride... i take a spare tube and patches. anyone (in us/uk/nz/aus) can order a 650 tire, tube or rim on the net and have it at their house within 3 or so days. i can see it as an issue if you're going to tour on the bike.