Originally Posted by Heatherbikes

Tubes: any size tubes will fit, 700cc or 26 inch mountain and anything in between. So that argument is weak, although always a good idea to have a spare. I had thought 650c disappeared years ago, nobody has mentioned it to me in my search for a better fitting bicycle. It was totally ridiculous that they were being put on tall person bikes, hence the laughable reputation and scorn. I had a 650c bicycle for a short time in the late 90's and it may have been like a child's road bike, but being child sized, makes sense. I was able to ride on the drops given the frame design and narrow handlebars. I'm all into 650b and converting my too tall bike frames into 650b bikes which will involve $$&$. The most narrow tire is 32mm which is fine for the bike's planned applications, but as the tires get bigger the wheel circumference grows make it the same as 700cc again making using smaller rims pointless. To convert a frame to 650c would require some serious long reach brakes, don't think it's doable. If I was interested in modern aluminium or carbon fibre women specific bicycles I could get a 650c road or cyclocross bike. Or have a steel built with appropriate tiny wheels. I like that they are light.