S40 Wheels for smaller cyclist

[MNBentRider]

I'm a 5' 3" female rider getting ready to purchase my first Cruzbike. I'm getting an S40 frameset and am in the process of selecting components.

I'm trying to decide what wheel size makes sense for me. The ability to use standard 700c wheels is attractive to me. I currently ride a Burley Hepcat recumbent which has 26" and 20" wheels, and I've had times when finding tubes and tires was a little more challenging (not impossible, but not always in stock at any bike shop.) On the other hand, I'm worried that 700c wheels are going to place the seat just high enough that it will make it more difficult for me to get comfortable learning to ride my Cruzbike. Maybe 650b wheels would be better for my height? Note: I'll be riding paved trails and roads.

I'd appreciate any thoughts and recommendations the community has for me. Thanks!

 

[McWheels]

It's a tough call. 700c definitley gives you the whole market, but I'm not totally sure you'll find it easy to put your feet down when you stop or start tipping over. I actually run a 650b up front but the tyre is pretty chunky so the outside diameter isn't that different to a 700c narrower tyre anyway. I'm 5'11" and it's comfortable for me so I'm trying to interpolate what happens for you.

I rather like the Rene Herse tyre I have up front, it's been surprisingly resilient to visitations (punctures) despite its lightness and thinness. And if you're going that route then you probably need to order off the internet anyway; they're not as common as Schwalbe. Is the answer therefore to order a stock of 2 or 3 inner tubes and tyres so you don't need the niche products from a local bike shop?

 

[MNBentRider]

Is the answer therefore to order a stock of 2 or 3 inner tubes and tyres so you don't need the niche products from a local bike shop?

Yeah, ordering a stock of tubes (and a spare tire whenever I put one in service) is pretty much what I'm doing with my current bike. Not a huge deal, but I try to stay on top of it because I try to ride my bike every day unless there is snow or ice (or the temperature is below freezing). I had a few times a couple of years back where I was scrambling to find a tube or tire nearby.

 

[celerator]

what wheel size makes sense for me.

Faced with the same seat height problem, I put 24" (507mm) wheels on a Cruzbike T50. Especially getting off the bicycle after a long ride is much easier now. Awaiting confirmation by dynamic measurements (I am a physicist): there is no obvious driving behaviour degradation. A few weeks from now I'll assemble our new S40 (frameset), also first with 24" wheels. We'll also try riding with 20" wheels, though that looks silly.

 

[chicorider]

Everyone's experience will be unique to them. However... I too am 5'3" and have ridden a V20/V20c for nine years, an S30 for six years, and an S40 for a couple years, all with 700c wheels. I don't struggle with starts and stops. Granted, the learning curve was steep at first, but once I was over that, being short and using 700c wheels has not been a problem for me. But again, that's just my experience.

 

[MNBentRider]

Faced with the same seat height problem, I put 24" (507mm) wheels on a Cruzbike T50. Especially getting off the bicycle after a long ride is much easier now. Awaiting confirmation by dynamic measurements (I am a physicist): there is no obvious driving behaviour degradation. A few weeks from now I'll assemble our new S40 (frameset), also first with 24" wheels. We'll also try riding with 20" wheels, though that looks silly.

I look forward to hearing more about the results of your experiments!

 

[MNBentRider]

Granted, the learning curve was steep at first, but once I was over that, being short and using 700c wheels has not been a problem for me.

That's good to know - thanks for sharing your experience! That gives me more confidence that perhaps I can go with 700c.

 

[Mathew Fy]

Given equal tire widths, compared to 700c, 650b will lower your bike by only 3/4 inches (19 mm), so not much value.
I have 650b on my S40 that I originally used on a V20. Yes, choices may be limited when you're traveling.

 

[LarryOz]

If you are close enough to come to the Cruzbike Museum (Hilton Head Island, SC), I can get you on both an S40 and V20C with both 700 and 650 wheelsets so you can see the difference. The V20C is much lower and you would probably not have an issue you leg length. Plus you can always put a wedge in the back part of the seat to get back to the feel of a 40 degree incline.

 

[MNBentRider]

Given equal tire widths, compared to 700c, 650b will lower your bike by only 3/4 inches (19 mm), so not much value.

Hmmmm...you may be right. Good point that there is only 3/4" difference.

 

[MNBentRider]

f you are close enough to come to the Cruzbike Museum (Hilton Head Island, SC), I can get you on both an S40 and V20C with both 700 and 650 wheelsets so you can see the difference.

If I was anywhere near Hilton Head Island, I would have already been there! Unfortunately I am in Minnesota, nowhere near you or any Cruzbike dealers. :-(

 

[Polar bear]

I'm a 5' 3" female rider getting ready to purchase my first Cruzbike. I'm getting an S40 frameset and am in the process of selecting components.

I'm trying to decide what wheel size makes sense for me. The ability to use standard 700c wheels is attractive to me. I currently ride a Burley Hepcat recumbent which has 26" and 20" wheels, and I've had times when finding tubes and tires was a little more challenging (not impossible, but not always in stock at any bike shop.) On the other hand, I'm worried that 700c wheels are going to place the seat just high enough that it will make it more difficult for me to get comfortable learning to ride my Cruzbike. Maybe 650b wheels would be better for my height? Note: I'll be riding paved trails and roads.

I'd appreciate any thoughts and recommendations the community has for me. Thanks!

Hi. I just got my new S40 fully assembled and have done some training rides with it. I'm 5'5" and took 700c wheels to my S40 and I think I made the right choice. I don't think the seat is too high, I was able to do this "Flintstone" - training with it without difficulties and starting pedaling was easy, so I would recommend 700c wheels

 

[MNBentRider]

Hi. I just got my new S40 fully assembled and have done some training rides with it. I'm 5'5" and took 700c wheels to my S40 and I think I made the right choice. I don't think the seat is too high, I was able to do this "Flintstone" - training with it without difficulties and starting pedaling was easy, so I would recommend 700c wheels

Thanks! Congratulations on the new bike.

 

[castlerobber]

I'm a 5' 3" female rider getting ready to purchase my first Cruzbike.

I'm a 5'5" female with a 40.5" x-seam and a 30.5" inseam. I have 700c wheels with 28mm tires on my S30, 650b with 1.6" tires on my Q45. I can't put both feet completely flat on the ground at a stop, but I get good contact with the forefoot, not just the toes. (I have size 10 feet, which probably helps.)

 

[MNBentRider]

I can't put both feet completely flat on the ground at a stop, but I get good contact with the forefoot, not just the toes. (I have size 10 feet, which probably helps.)

Thank you for sharing your setup and experience. I hadn't even considered the size of my feet - good point!

 

[castlerobber]

I too am 5'3" and have ridden [...] an S30 for six years, and an S40 for a couple years, all with 700c wheels.

Sent you a PM with a question. Don't want to hijack the thread.

 

[MNBentRider]

Sent you a PM with a question.

Hmmmm...I'm not seeing it yet. Is that typical? Weird.

 

[castlerobber]

Hmmmm...I'm not seeing it yet. Is that typical? Weird.

Oh, sorry, that was for chicorider