Pukeskywalker

Hey everybody,

I'm looking at buying a Nishiki Altron NFS, with 650c Trispoke wheels.

My concern is this: I'm 6'3, so the 61cm st x 60cm tt will be small for me to begin with, I can raise the seat and be able to handle this (my last bike was a similar size), but the 650c wheels could complicate things.

Any tall guys out there ride with 650c wheels?

Here's an example of the bike, minus the tri-spokes:
https://velospace.org/node/583

big_heineken

How does changing the wheels affect the size of the frame?

Pukeskywalker

It doesn't... but it seems like everybody is only recommending 650c tires for short people. I'm worried there is something I'm missing.

I'm aware that tires are harder to find, that rolling resistance is harder, etc...

Quel

I don't think it would be much of an issue, outside of looking a little weird. People put 650c on smaller bikes to avoid toe overlap and some other geometry issues that the 700c would create on the small frame. I assume people use 650c on their tri bikes for similar reasons. Shouldn't make much of a difference in performance, but I'd probably avoid them just for the ease of finding wheels and potentially for resale value purposes.

Pukeskywalker

hmm okay, thanks for the advice.

The bike is going for $200, brand-new condition... this might be a good buy even if re-selling won't go well

big_heineken

Per Sheldon Brown:

"If you are going from a very narrow 622 (700C) tire to a fairly wide 584 (650B), the difference may be minimal. For instance, the outside diameter of a 19-622 (700 x 19C) tire would theoretically be exactly the same as a 38-584 (650 x 38B)."

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/650b.html

markieta

650c...not 650b

Bianchigirll 

I believe the bike in question is a TRI Bike and it was built for the 650 wheels. I think alot of the repliers to this post are under tha assumption that the bike was converted to 650 wheels. this bike might be a good deal but it might not be the best investment. that tri frame will put you in a very aero dynamic position and it might be uncomfortable on long rides.

AnthonyG

Yes this bike is an older TT/TRI bike and its built for 650c wheels. The whole point of the small wheels is to allow a lower handlebar position. If it fitted you at the seat height in the picture it would be OK but if you need to jack the seat up a long way and if you don't like a low handlebar position then its not for you.

Anthony

agarose2000

I only ride a TT bike here in Socal. If it fits right, you can ride it as far as you want. Centuries, double centuries, etc. Keep in mind that pro ironman competitors have to race 112+ miles on the bike in aero position and THEN run a marathon after that. They clearly aren't having any back issues, and even the amateurs make good use of the tribikes in the ironman as well. It's all about the fit.

BOHICA

I'm 6'2" and one of my bikes is a Tri bike with 650c wheels. It rides just fine. The only down side is new tires can be hard to find since the majority of road bikes out there are on 700c wheels. You can tires online though.

Scooper

There are a lot of arguments (whether valid or not) for going with 650c, even on larger frames.

From the 1992 Schwinn 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.”

The biggest resistance to the use of 650c seems to have been they just don't look right on bigger frames.

nahh

well...my long distance/touring/sometimes club ride bike has thin 26" wheels, and i'm 6'0. I get weird looks, but really like the bike. the wheels are super sturdy, and I have a lot of choices from 26x1 slicks to 26x1.50 super knobby tires.

my $0.02 about smaller wheel diameters.

Basil Moss

He seems to have forgotten that at some point, you'll get a puncture. I'd love to see this tit digging through the back of the neutral service car looking for the special wheels that are in there just for him. That's why the ladies peleton is still all on 700c, even though some of them TT on 650's.

Scooper

Although the Schwinn catalog quote is from a Cat 2 racer, many of the supposed advantages of 650c wheels apply in non-competitive road cycling where carrying a patch kit for fixing punctures would make having spare wheels available from a support vehicle less of an issue.

jzman

Do you still have the Nishiki Altron NFS?

I have one, but it has normal spoked wheels on it. I am trying to find a pair of the original Tri-spoke wheels. Would you be willing to sell them?