artifice

OK! I'm shopping for my first road bike, and I've narrowed it down to a Trek 1600....
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...rchive/1600wsd
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2007/archive/1600

Only, I can't decide between the WSD with 650 or men's with 700 wheels.

Any advice?

I'm a shorty, 5' and am looking at a 43 frame.... I've read some discussions before about 650 versus 700 wheels, but would like the latest and greatest input.

I test rode the men's today, and liked it. They're bringing in the WSD for me to test ride tomorrow... and I'm hoping to bring one home with me.

THANKS all!
Lauren

crydee

If you have longer legs in proportion to your torso like some women do then the WSD might be better. What does the shop think? That's what I would go on...

redirekib

I'm thinking that once you ride the WSD with the 650s it's the one you'll like best.

Plus the WSD is a pretty sweet color.

artifice

are there any significant differences performance-wise?

I'm also wondering why the same size bike has two different wheel sizes...

Proprtion I'm not so sure about... they took some basic measurements and fit me to a 43 frame, I didn't dig into the 650 versus 700 with them much today. My head was spinning after the components speech.

I have been trying to find a site with the geometry of the 1600 (t see what the differences might be from the WSD to men's) so if anyone has a site for that, too- I'd appreciate it!

10 Wheels

I saw a small woman last week riding The Blue WSD in The Texas Bluebonnet .Prettiest bike it the ride of 2,000 bikes.

crydee

stand over height, i'd go with 700c wheel ones if you can because more tires and wheels are in that size

artifice

I haven't seen the WSD in person yet, but I'm excited! I'm not too picky on color, though- as an avid ski racer, I've had to train myself that color doesn't matter once you're on them. Trying to apply the same to my bike-shopping and not be so vain... the only exception is my hatred for purple.

redirekib

Lauren, since you are a ski racer you understand and can feel subtle differences in equipment. Put both bikes through the same test: fast downhills, slow and fast turns and some fast straightaways. you'll know right away which bike is for you.

artifice

Hmm.... good point I suppose my apprehensions at being new to the cycling scene are making me overlook the simple facts. I'll let you all know tomorrow what I come home with!

On Your Right

My advice is to go with the 700 cc if it fits. As someone else said, there are alot more options for tires and wheels if you decide to upgrade later or if you have a problem and need a loaner wheel from your LBS. Also if you're on a long ride and far from civilization and you have multiple flats, someone is much more likely to have a 700 tube than a 650.

Nachoman

Check to see if you have too much toe overlap with the 700c wheels.

halfspeed

You have more choices in wheels and tires with 700C, but a bike built with 650C in a small size will fit and handle more correctly than if it had 700C wheels.

LanceFanBoy

I definitely agree, test riding will be the only way to tell, but I think the WSD will handle better for you, add my vote to that without knowing too much

artifice

Well, its official! I came home with my first road bike: the wsd 1600... my first cycling shoes, and clipless pedals. I feel like a little kid on christmas morning! Sad though, its raining out today but I'm excited to get out there!

Frankly, I think the bike is pretty sissy-looking in person... but, I'll still plan to kick some butt on it

jimx200

Congrats on the new bike. Now proper etiquette here is that you need to post a pic with you on or near it...maybe wearing some bike shorts and jersey....actually lots of shots of you so we can help determine proper gear wear, fashion coordination, etc....really.

artifice

gosh, great idea. I'd hate to be uncoordinated.

redirekib

Happy for ya, now get out there and ride !

Oh yeah, tell us your feelings on both bikes.

Bontrager

Pics of the steed?

artifice

I'll get a pic of my steed up in the next day or 2 for your viewing enjoyment

I was surprised that the toe overlap with the 700 wheels was fine. (Along with small height, I've also got small feet!). I think it would be a concern for a guy on a bike that size who might have larger feet, though.

I went with the women's due to the overall geometry, plus weight of the bike with the smaller wheels. A friend of mine (with a cervelo p2c, i believe?) said its almost as light as his, naturally the small size also factors in.

I felt much steadier on the WSD, not to mention the geometry and other features of the WSD made it much more comfortable.

Aesthetically, I was tempted to go with the men's, because I'm just NOT a powder-blue girl, but it wouldn't be worth the work and extra cost to switch out some of the components.

Overall, seems like its going to be a really great bike for the price!

Cheers!