Should I consider a 650b wheel setup for my road bike, or is 700c always the better choice?

For the vast majority of road riders, 700c is the right choice—it's the universal standard, so you'll have access to the widest selection of tires and replacement wheelsets. 650b wheels are a niche option that only make sense in specific situations.\n\nThe main reason to go 650b is if you're building an all-road or gravel-light setup and want to run very wide tires (47–50mm) while keeping the overall wheel-and-tire diameter similar to a standard 700c road setup. This lets you get that plush, high-volume tire feel without drastically changing your bike's handling or running into frame clearance issues.\n\nThe trade-off is that 650b tire selection is much more limited compared to 700c, and you'll have fewer options when shopping for replacement wheelsets. Some smaller riders also benefit from 650b wheels for better fit on certain frames. But unless you have a specific reason to go 650b, stick with 700c.