Lets talk 650c's
03-31-13 | 08:06 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 7
From: Arkansas
Bikes: '81 Fuji Royale/ '96 Rockhopper
Lets talk 650c's
Someone gave me a brand new set of Michelin 650c Pro Course Service Race tires.
I haven't the foggiest what to do with them? I've never had any dealing with a 650 wheel, so I wouldn't know where to start. What bikes came with these size wheels?
Actually, if anyone here has a burning desire to own a set of these, I'd glady trade them for an equal set of 700x23's.........
I haven't the foggiest what to do with them? I've never had any dealing with a 650 wheel, so I wouldn't know where to start. What bikes came with these size wheels?
Actually, if anyone here has a burning desire to own a set of these, I'd glady trade them for an equal set of 700x23's.........
03-31-13 | 08:26 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 61
From: The Thumb, MI
The frame I built last year uses 650c wheels. You don't see them very often anymore. They used to come on Tri bike, smaller road frames to alleviate toe overlap. The "funny" TT bikes in 80 sometimes used a 650c front wheel. There were a few larger companies that built 650c bikes. I love 650c wheels and if you ever feel like donating them I'll gladly accept them 
happy easter
henry
happy easter
henry
03-31-13 | 08:35 AM
#3
Decrepit Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,488
Likes: 92
From: Santa Rosa, California
Bikes: Waterford 953 RS-22, several Paramounts
In the early 90s, Schwinn made Paramounts in both 700c and 650c versions produced by both Waterford and Panasonic.
Also, some smaller frames use 650c to minimize toe-lap problems encountered with 700c.
I think one reason they never caught on is that on a larger frame they make the bike look like a circus clown should be riding it.
Also, some smaller frames use 650c to minimize toe-lap problems encountered with 700c.
I think one reason they never caught on is that on a larger frame they make the bike look like a circus clown should be riding it.
Originally Posted by Schwinn 1992 Paramount catalog
The Case for 26” Wheels
Ask Product Manager and Cat II racer Dennis Lane why you should consider switching to 26” wheels and he’ll tell you the real question is why anyone still rides 700C in the first place.
“I’ve ridden a Series 7 prototype for the past two seasons,” he explains, “and the 26” wheels are faster in every respect.”
“Of course there’s less wind resistance with 26. And they’re lighter and stronger because the spokes are shorter. And the reduced gyroscopic force lets the bike change lines quicker, making it more maneuverable. And because they’re smaller and weigh less, they accelerate faster. Those are all points people pick up on right away in a test ride.”
“But what really sells them is the first time they ride in a pack. They can’t believe it! They’re motoring along at 25 or 30 mph, and realize they’re doing a lot less work – every time they jump it’s an instant bike length on the nearest rider. By the end of the race, they’re lifetime converts.”
Ask Product Manager and Cat II racer Dennis Lane why you should consider switching to 26” wheels and he’ll tell you the real question is why anyone still rides 700C in the first place.
“I’ve ridden a Series 7 prototype for the past two seasons,” he explains, “and the 26” wheels are faster in every respect.”
“Of course there’s less wind resistance with 26. And they’re lighter and stronger because the spokes are shorter. And the reduced gyroscopic force lets the bike change lines quicker, making it more maneuverable. And because they’re smaller and weigh less, they accelerate faster. Those are all points people pick up on right away in a test ride.”
“But what really sells them is the first time they ride in a pack. They can’t believe it! They’re motoring along at 25 or 30 mph, and realize they’re doing a lot less work – every time they jump it’s an instant bike length on the nearest rider. By the end of the race, they’re lifetime converts.”
03-31-13 | 10:00 AM
#4
Thrifty Bill
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,639
Likes: 1,106
From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
But on medium or small frames, they can look pretty good. (92 Paramount Series 7, Panasonic)
03-31-13 | 10:19 AM
#5
The frame I built last year uses 650c wheels. You don't see them very often anymore. They used to come on Tri bike, smaller road frames to alleviate toe overlap. The "funny" TT bikes in 80 sometimes used a 650c front wheel. There were a few larger companies that built 650c bikes. I love 650c wheels and if you ever feel like donating them I'll gladly accept them
happy easter
henry
happy easter
henry
03-31-13 | 10:25 AM
#6
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,462
+1
I see what the racer wrote, but it's not simple. You fall of the pace of that pace-line, and at 56t up front, even with 650c wheels, you're not getting right back on speed. You can't (or I can't, anyway) get back on by jumping a couple of cogs, and spinning up. You (or I) have to climb about 6 cogs, and work your way back. By then, I'm 200' back and losing. It's easier to keep pace, but a lot harder to get back up to it. Great climber, though.
On the other hand, there are the "funny" bikes with the 650c front wheels.
And on another hand, there are plenty of 650c tri-bikes still out there. Sometimes, the tri-bike positioning lends itself to running a little higher cadence than normal, and that's necessary when you're running 53/39 on 650c wheels.
I see what the racer wrote, but it's not simple. You fall of the pace of that pace-line, and at 56t up front, even with 650c wheels, you're not getting right back on speed. You can't (or I can't, anyway) get back on by jumping a couple of cogs, and spinning up. You (or I) have to climb about 6 cogs, and work your way back. By then, I'm 200' back and losing. It's easier to keep pace, but a lot harder to get back up to it. Great climber, though.
On the other hand, there are the "funny" bikes with the 650c front wheels.
And on another hand, there are plenty of 650c tri-bikes still out there. Sometimes, the tri-bike positioning lends itself to running a little higher cadence than normal, and that's necessary when you're running 53/39 on 650c wheels.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 03-31-13 at 10:47 AM.
03-31-13 | 11:42 AM
#7
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 7
From: Arkansas
Bikes: '81 Fuji Royale/ '96 Rockhopper
The frame I built last year uses 650c wheels. You don't see them very often anymore. They used to come on Tri bike, smaller road frames to alleviate toe overlap. The "funny" TT bikes in 80 sometimes used a 650c front wheel. There were a few larger companies that built 650c bikes. I love 650c wheels and if you ever feel like donating them I'll gladly accept them
happy easter
henry
happy easter
henry
03-31-13 | 02:12 PM
#10
multimodal commuter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,810
Likes: 597
From: NJ, NYC, LI
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
My wife rides a Bianchi Eros (not Eros Donna) with 650c wheels. It is nice because it is a normal looking bike with normal proportions (except for absurdly long 170mm cranks) and it fits her without compromises. Next to one of my bikes it looks pretty comical, being small, but by itself it looks normal.
Unfortunately no one makes tires fatter than 28mm, and even those are rare (thoughTerry makes them).
Unfortunately no one makes tires fatter than 28mm, and even those are rare (thoughTerry makes them).
03-31-13 | 05:02 PM
#13
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,462
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
nerobro
Framebuilders
13
05-20-13 08:48 AM
