Is there any advantage/disadvantage to 650 wheels versus 700 for ladies road bike?

I am shopping for an entry level road bike. Some of the ones I am looking at have 650 wheels rather than 700. Which one is prefered? I am very short (5') and it is REALLy hardf finding a bike but I want to choose wisely.

Thanks!

I am also female and 5' tall, just like you! (Oh, we're "height impaired", not short.)

And I'm very curious. Have you actually FOUND any road bikes with 700 wheels in any bike shops that actually fit you--and that you can comfortably ride?

I spent over a year looking for a road bike, and I couldn't even find a bike shop that had one in my size to test ride--and none of them wanted to sell me one anyway! They all tried instead to steer me into buying a cross, hybrid or comfort bike, and it's not like I live in the sticks--this is Chicagoland!

I finally gave up arguing with them and went out and bought what I wanted on line--and it's a real beauty! A women's specific design, 16 pound, Titanium Airborne WASP! Almost hard to believe all those bike shops just gave up a $3,000 sale--and I would have paid more, if they only would have sold me what I wanted.

And yes, it has the 650 wheels on it, which I only consider a benefit over the 700 size. You know, you can buy 650 replacement wheel sets on e-bay a whole lot cheaper than the 700 size--less bidding competition!

The 650 size is faster on acceleration, and climbs up hill better. It doesn't roll downhill as fast though, and I don't know about you, but I'm not real comfortable racing down a hill at 70 mph anyway! You're not planning on entering any long distance races with it anyway, are you? So what's the difference? (On short distance races, the 650 size would be an advantage.)

The simple fact of the matter is that smaller bikes don't accomodate the 700 size well. To get that size wheel to fit, they have to make other adjustments to the geometry of the bike--not good ones, meaning your bike won't be properly proportioned. There's also the problem of the "toe overhang", meaning that at slow speeds, your toe will end up hitting the wheel and you will experience "toe overhang wipeout".

I really haven't had any problem getting replacement wheels or tubes for it. My only problem was getting the right tires because anything other than yellow sidewalls would be a major fashion faux pas. It took a while, but I did finally found some, and bought extras. I have several wheelsets and different types of tires for it.

They don't just put the 650 size on smaller bikes, triathon bikes are also built with the 650 size. I think the resale value of bikes with the 700 size might normally be higher, so I don't know if that might be a consideration for you.

I spent a lot of time looking, and the 650 size made a lot more sense to me.

Happy hunting!

The biggest difference between 650c and 700c wheels is that 650 wheels tend to allow faster handling and better acceleration while also having a reduction in inertia. This means that WHILE you are moving, 650s will help you negotiate your ride better but they will not allow you to coast as far or build up inertia for climbing.

650 wheels are not as common as the 700s. I don't track the market, but it appears that they are becoming less common as time goes on. They will handle and accelerate better. A disadvantage is that you will have a much smaller selection of after market wheels, tires and tubes to choose from. Personally, I would stay with 700s just for that reason.

HTH

Both above answers are good. I add that for a short women, 650 wheels can offer a nice fitting smaller frame. You should find this more comfortable and better handling for you.

Lots of good answers so far. The only things I could add are that triathlon bikes are generally moving away from 650 wheels so there will gradually be less to choose from in that size. Also, when you're on the road it's nice to know that if you have a multiple flat day, there are lots of spares out there if you have 700c wheels. If you get the 650s you better carry spares and a patch kit just in case. Or I suppose a cell phone to call a cab or friend would work as well.