Originally Posted by
edbikebabe
Hmmmm... I had a friend with 650cc wheels, and upgraded to a bike with 700s as soon as she could. She hated that tubes were a) hard to find, b)way more expensive and c) found it harder to keep up with others since the wheels were smaller.
Tires and tubes are readily available over the internet. I live in a big city so they are in stock at all the stores. I don't see prices that are "way more expensive" these days. Women have become an important market for bike companies and it shows in availability and prices.
I would hardly call going from 650 to 700 an "upgrade". Its about getting the geometry right. Its impossible to get the geometry right on a Tri bike for a small stature person without going to 650 wheels.
As to going slower because of the smaller wheels, that's an imaginary fact. I can show you a lot of women and small statured men who ride 650 wheels that will smoke a lot of riders, no matter what size wheel they ride.
Bob