Wheel size for small frames

I have a small beacon road frame I'm trying to build for my wife who is around 5'1. She tried it on with some 27" wheels and barely cleared the top tube on her tip toes and looked like the wheels were way too big for that tiny frame. So I'm wondering if I should go with 700c or some smaller size like 650c or 26". I guess my main issue with those sizes is finding the proper tires as I can't find any 650c tires bigger than 23mm and 26" are mostly mountain bike or cruiser tires. Not looking for anything fancy just something that fits and I would like to make it single speed or maybe even coaster brake if I find the right size. Any recommendations?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on April 7, 2010 at 3:05am
Get a different frame. Or convert to 650-B.
Permalink Reply by Michael Perz on April 7, 2010 at 3:09am
On a frame originally designed for 27" wheels, 700c's will drop the top tube approximately half an inch. If you go smaller, like with 650c's, you will not be able to mount rim brakes and the bottom bracket will be perilously close to the ground. Save yourself the time, money and headache by finding a frame that actually fits instead of trying to rig up the one you have.
Permalink Reply by Chucko on April 7, 2010 at 7:28am
If it's a small frame, it probably had 26" wheels to begin with. You can probably get 700c or 650b wheels to work. Your main issue would be lining the rim up with the brakes- changing wheel sizes means you might need a longer reach brake. I'd take it to a shop and have them help you figure that part out at least. They should have wheels in those sizes to try and see if they work. Guessing with a frame that small it wasn't meant for 27" wheels anyway.
Permalink Reply by alex on April 7, 2010 at 7:53am
I'm going to try that. I kind of like the headaches from building a franken bike but I did figure I would have problems with the brakes that's why I threw in the coaster brake option.Any suggestions on a friendly shop that will let me try out parts and help with ordering?

Chucko said:
If it's a small frame, it probably had 26" wheels to begin with. You can probably get 700c or 650b wheels to work. Your main issue would be lining the rim up with the brakes- changing wheel sizes means you might need a longer reach brake. I'd take it to a shop and have them help you figure that part out at least. They should have wheels in those sizes to try and see if they work. Guessing with a frame that small it wasn't meant for 27" wheels anyway.

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