My future road bike.

[Milzy]

As I’m only about 5’ 7” I’d class my self as been small. I have an idea that 650b wheels would be quicker for me. The weight saving would negate the drag penalties. I’d use 28 mm tubs on the rims.
I’d also have a custom made steel frame for comfort. I’d use 1 chain ring up front with shimano di2 shifting. You can put a price on happiness, probably about 3 grand.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Lot less choice of wheels and tyres (especially tubulars) if you go for 650b. Need to balance the perceived (esoteric?) gain against such practical issues.

 

[AndyRM]

Drag penalties?

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Drag penalties?

Yeah. You negate them by saving weight by making the frame steel. Everyone knows that.

 

[kingrollo]

Unless I am missing something why does 5ft 7 require a custom frame and non regular wheels ?.
Im 5ft 8 and use off the peg frames (not even the smallest sizes) - as I get older I find it beneficial to pay for a pro bike fit. @ around £100

 

[Gravity Aided]

Seen that Kinesis Tripster on another thread? Narrower tires would make that a goer.

 

[Randomnerd]

http://www.halletthandbuiltcycles.com/650-adventure.html

Best three grand you'll ever spend

 

[Milzy]

Yeah. You negate them by saving weight by making the frame steel. Everyone knows that.

Don’t try to be smart. The concept works for Emma Pooley. Albeit she used an Aluminium frame to win all those T.T’s on. A modern steel frame done right would be just as effective as her frame.
The 650’s do cause a tiny bit less rolling resistance but the wheels can be faster than 700c still. It’s just more benificial for smaller people. For me 6 foot plus is classed as tall.
Over the next 10 years ideas are going to change and most c.c folks will be closed minded about them.

 

[Cycleops]

http://www.halletthandbuiltcycles.com/650-adventure.html

Best three grand you'll ever spend

Don't think 'er indoors would agree.

 

[MichaelW2]

650b is the old French touring wheel, renamed 27.5 for the MTB market and now standard on most new MTBs.
650c is the small 26" road wheel.
The advantage of designing a frame around 650c is that you can maintain optimum geometry in smaller sizes. 700c is the largest wheel size that a can fit into a bike for a "normal" sized adult. Once you go below about 5'3", the only way to fit 700c is to bodge the steering geometry. Smaller diameter wheels permit a normal geometry. In addition the small bike has a smaller wheelbase for nippier handling.
At 5'7", you are bang in the middle of normal and can use 700c without any problems for general road riding. You have the advantage of a global standard, massive tyre selection and availability off the shelf at any bike shop. Larger wheels have lower rolling resistance. Some triathletes use 650c on medium bikes for aerodynamic effect but it is not really a significant factor for most riders.
Small bikes in 650C is really a cyclical fashion. Some years you get lots of models, other years, very few. Bike companies keep rediscovering the size.

 

[Milzy]

650b is the old French touring wheel, renamed 27.5 for the MTB market and now standard on most new MTBs.
650c is the small 26" road wheel.
The advantage of designing a frame around 650c is that you can maintain optimum geometry in smaller sizes. 700c is the largest wheel size that a can fit into a bike for a "normal" sized adult. Once you go below about 5'3", the only way to fit 700c is to bodge the steering geometry. Smaller diameter wheels permit a normal geometry. In addition the small bike has a smaller wheelbase for nippier handling.
At 5'7", you are bang in the middle of normal and can use 700c without any problems for general road riding. You have the advantage of a global standard, massive tyre selection and availability off the shelf at any bike shop. Larger wheels have lower rolling resistance. Some triathletes use 650c on medium bikes for aerodynamic effect but it is not really a significant factor for most riders.
Small bikes in 650C is really a cyclical fashion. Some years you get lots of models, other years, very few. Bike companies keep rediscovering the size.

It’s a fad that Emma Pooley managed to pull off with flying colours. On second thoughts though it’s probably best left for smaller people.

 

[kingrollo]

5ft 7 is isn't small.

 

[Milzy]

5ft 7 is isn't small.

5’9” is about average in the U.K. so it’s on small side a little.

 

[kingrollo]

5’9” is about average in the U.K. so it’s on small side a little.

Wots 2 inches between friends ? !!!

 

[Ajax Bay]

Emma Pooley's advertised height is 5' 2". @MichaelW2 has described the advantages of smaller diameter wheels for the shorter person. At 5' 7" the OP is not in that category.