I think 650 and all the tire sizes are on topic because they all go back to
pre 1900.
Check it out if you doubt me.
The old timers that we spoke about a few days ago re: rake, trail and
handling were working on all wheel sizes concurrently.
The new 29" wheels were already used, and 30" too.
The guys in my dad's shop talking about when they raced in the 1890's + era
told of sneaking on 29" rims with 28" tires so the tire would say 28 when
officials looked, but the extra stretch gave a little more circumference
when they roller raced and had a 25x7 gear limit. They didn't roll the bike
out.
Sneaky rascals.
I think the guys settled on 28 / 700 in those early years as the best
compromise for overall handling, rolling, cornering, shock absorbtion, etc.
Some of what I say can be tested and made to prove otherwise, but this is
what racers/riders have said and what lore and belief has stayed and held
thru.
I worked a lot with triathlete and other time trial riders so this knowledge
should be fairly good.
The wind tunnels proved that smaller wheels, 650, 26", 24", and even 20" had
smaller frontal profile and would offer less resistance.
They accelerated quicker and rolled well.
But, the ride was harder in comfort, they didn't want fat tires even tho
rolling was similar because the smaller profiles were racy looking and
lighter.
The small wheels meant that all the bikes had to be redesigned so they would
handle better.
However they found out that at high speeds and in control the smaller wheels
with the increased revolution for same MPH made the bike less stable
especially at performance speeds.
It also means that when it picks up speed faster it also "dies" faster so
one had to step more into it to keep the momentum going.
All the gearing had to be refigured to give the same ratios.
Same team riders had a logistical nightmare unless everyone had the
same bikes and wheels.
When all the factors were considered the package just wasn't as attactive.
There are riders who prefer the smaller wheels but are in the overwhelming
minority.
The difference between smaller wheels and our 700 standard size is minimal
in efficiency so that the overall riding property of all these sizes didn't
add up.
Even the wheel sizes the racers used in the TT bikes in the '70/'80's fades
as rules were too cumbersome and standardization via international rules
were set up.
Many of these rules were implemented to let lesser monied countries not be
at a disadvantage because they couldn't afford all the variables.
In a team TT getting closer to the guy in front does have an advantage, and
as these are usually on flatter smooth courses the argument can be made for
smaller wheels with the shorter event distance as handling is not as
critical.
Think on it, if the pros in all the hard racing would have found out that
650 / 26" was best, wouldn't they have adopted it many revolutions ago? You
Betcha!
Please keep in mind that these observations are for riding at the limit
where the best all round performance is imperative.
For our humbler riding these differences are not as acute so not all will
come into play so you do have some leeway if you would like to experiment.
It's only a matter of thumb and forefinger ability.
Maybe that's what they mean by having a green thumb.
The exception to this is the Motorpace or Steher bikes that have a 24"
front wheel for the pacing needs but must be ridden a high speed with a
reverse fork so the bike handles slower and smoother at that tempo to
minimize danger.
The Triathletes began used smaller wheels because they thought it was way
superior, being fresh to cycling they went Apes-- for any "new" to them
idea, and spent beaucoup bucks trying anything. That rage has somewhat
diminished as the sport matured.
100 mile Ironman distance also needs more comfort so you are not pounded too
hard from equipment while riding and are somewhat softened when you have a
26mi run to go.
Hope this answers some of your Q's about wheel sizes and if I neglected some
important factor ask away, and maybe others on the list cam roll in and help
me out.
Ted Ernst
Palos Verdes Estates
CA USA
>
> Is´nt there someone on the list that has hands-on experience in racing 65
> 0 wheels in different triathlon eventsetc? Why are (were) they so popular
> w
> ith triathletes and not with pure timetrialists?
>
> Michele Francesconi
> Värmdö Sweden
>
>
>
>
>> From: philcycles@sbcglobal.net> Subject: Re: [CR]Why 650B?> Date: Wed,
> 7 Jan 2009 16:27:47 -0800> To:
> Bikelist.OrgRENDEZVOUSclassicrendezvous@bike
> list.org> > > On Jan 7, 2009, at 2:27 PM, Jan Heine wrote:> > > And I
> have not yet ridden a bike with 26" wheels that I thought was > > perfect
> (the latter may be due to a limited sample size.)> >> Mine's pretty good
> bu
> t I've never ridden the perfect bike. I've come > close, however.> Phil B
> rown> Berkeley, Calif.> > _______________________________________________
>> Classicrendezvous mailing list> Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> http://ww
> w.bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/classicrendezvous
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