I had a Lotus Elite 600 that had a 700c rear and a 24" front to prevent toe overlap and allow the TT to have the traditional flat angle(or lack thereof) of a road bike. I am short and the bike was a 44cm. The smaller front wheel made it sortof squirrely though and yes, you needed to carry 2 tubes instead of 1. I liked the funky clown look of it though and sometimes when I rub my toes on a turning front 700c wheel of my replacement Casseroll, I miss the 24" front. But I never feel out of control at high speeds on the Cass like I did on the Lotus.