Recreational & Family - 26" or 700?

Looking for a hybric/cross/comfort bike, mainly to be used on rails to trails and roads (paved and dirt). I want something more comfortable than my 10 year old Giant mountainbike (but not too "girlie" as some of the comfort bikes appear). Might attached a bike trailer or trail-a-bike on occasion

My biggest quesiton is whether to focus on a 26" or 700 wheel bike. I understand that the 700's can be faster, but wonder if I'll be limited when I'm riding on dirt / trails (we're not talking true mountain biking here).

thoughts / comments?

P.S. Is it just me, or is the industry missing the opportunity to make bikes for my desired usage without making them look so "wimpy"? I know looks shouldn't be a priority, but I don't want to ride a bike that looks like it could be my mom's! Marin seems to make 26/700 bikes that look more "rugged"

P.P.S what do you think about this bike? I'm being seduced by the Deore components. Otherwise I'm focused on REI's Novaras or a Marin. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/jub_dlx.htm.

I think the answer is in the tire diameter not wheel diameter. I remember seeing 38x700 cc ~ 1.5" is that ok or do you need wider? Check Bikenashbar or whoever and see what tire widths are avaliable.

The bike looks nice for the price, but you'd have to ride to be sure.

Joe

I think the answer is in the tire diameter not wheel diameter.

I think you mean tire width......yea, I understand that I can select various widths and treads of 26" or 700 tires to meet my needs. I'm guessing I'll find more 26" tires for the street than 700 tires for the dirt trail....

I'm more interested in the benefits of the 26" or 700 wheel diameter for how I'll use the bike.

First off, what's wrong with your old Giant MTB? You might want to tune it up and get some smoother, high pressure street tires and ride it. It's a lot cheaper than buying a new bike and the one you're looking at won't be a huge upgrade.

700's may be prone to rim\spoke damage offroad.
I also doubt as the bikes riding position is so far from an areo road proper riding position that the 700 wheel could be taken advantage of.
And the difference is negligible, unless you were racing.

700\35 running 11-38 @ 80rpm is 22.3
26\1.9 running 11-38 @ 80rpm is 21.2

To me thats not worth the bother and I don't want to be using less strong wheels.
I got more out of running an 11 rather than a 12 cog -1.8 mph increase.

26 inch wheel gives you more offroad use, and will be a stronger wheel.
Just run 1.5 or such tires.

How about those goose neck adjustable stems and a suspension seatpost for the Giant?
The one thing I don't like is 'economy front suspension'.
I'd personally rather ride a chromoly frame with the 'steel soak' and solid fork than a poorly built suspension fork on an Alu frame.

Marin may be a better bet, not knocking Motobecane.
Marin was @ the begining of mtb developement and I would imagine quality product. Lots of builds to choose from.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/marin-frame.html

Where are people getting this rubbish. "26 wheels are stronger than 700c". Pure hogwash. You can build wheels a 26" wheel that is crap or a 700c wheel that is crap.

Where are people getting this rubbish. "26 wheels are stronger than 700c". Pure hogwash. You can build wheels a 26" wheel that is crap or a 700c wheel that is crap.

He's not building wheels, factory entry\economy rims\spokes.

I am incorrect that a 26 inch =wider rim, shorter spoke -is not stronger?

Perhaps I should just say instead that IMO, a well set up mtb with 26 semi-slicks is an 'o.k' road bike, and a good offroad bike.
700 comfort is a poor 'offroad' bike.
700 comfort is an o.k. road bike.

I was more wanting to point out that 1.1 mph increase @ the gearing I posted = not much, or I would be running the 700's. I could easily mod my bike to run either.
I thought I would be more, not much says Mr.Brown. :(

The gear calculator is so cool. I just changed the wheel size\ same gearing to figure the speed increase using 700's.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/

P.P.S what do you think about this bike? I'm being seduced by the Deore components. Otherwise I'm focused on REI's Novaras or a Marin. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/jub_dlx.htm.

Glad to see the discussion! I tracked down more specs on the motebecane, and it appears as though European Deore components are not the same as U.S. Deore LX or DX - looks to be more "value" oriented.

In regards to upgrading my Giant - I'd really like to loose some of the weight (it's a chromoly frame) and change the riding position (a little more upright).

Think I'll just go do some test riding today....

If your giant has suspension forks you should be able to switch to a lighter fork made from butted cromoly steel (with fender threaded eyelets) from Kona or Surly.
Put on some 1.5" wide slick , high pressure tyres and you will have a sound bike for riding on the road as well as light tral use.

Bought a Novara XR today. It's a 700mm "comfort" bike that I've been looking at for about a year. http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47676858&parent_category_rn=4500775&vcat=REI_SSHP_CYCLINGundefined

Only had one in my size left in Michigan at my local store (and on sale through Sunday), so figured I'd have 'em build it up. I do like the speed that it offers, and was not as satisfied today with my ride on the 26" Marin Redwood I've also been looking at (it's components seem cheaper).

I must say this discussion has surprised in that nobody is telling me I have to spend at least $800 for a "starter" bike - I've seen that a lot in biking forums. I'll keep my Giant Sedona around in case I do want to ride less improved trails (I need a bigger garage!).

The little "irritation" in the back of my mind that the XR won't be the best for poor unpaved roads for poor rails to trails is probably dumb....over the last 10 years I'd say 95% of my riding is on paved surfaces, so the 700mm tires probably make more sense. I can always look to a more aggressive tire if needed, but probably won't.

It will take some getting use to the SRAM grip shifts (I prefer Shimano triggers) - I figure if it really bothers my the SRAM X.7 thumb shifters should be an easy retrofit (and only like $26 at Nashbar).

I would say that has quite a few quality parts on it.
Even the Rockshox Metro would probably be a better suspension fork than RST=
They design REAL shocks and were one of the first.
SRAM, Truvativ are good companies.
Looks like a bike, reads like a bike.

Well, I managed to spend some more money this weekend! The wife didn't really think she wanted/needed a new bike, but after having her ride a Novara Corsa 700mm wheel she didn't want to go back to her 15yo Giant mountain bike! She just had a hip replacement (at a young 37!), and biking will be one of the low impact activities she can use to get back into shape.

I also bought an Adams Trail-a-Bike for my 4/6 year old! They'll probably fight over it, but can't buy another until the wife gets strong enough to pull one behind her! I've liked the positive comments I've read regarding the Burley Piccolo, but can't justify the significant premium over the Adams....

Riding my Novara XR yesterday, I kept reaching for rapidfire shifters rather than the SRAM gripshifts on my bike. I may have to switch them over to the SRAM X.7 yet!

Staying on topic, is a 700 tire good enough for road and light trail use?
I noticed that most hybrid bikes (for road and trail) have narrower 700 tires, while comfort ones have fatter 26.
I conclude that the fatter 26 are more comfy on bumps and also good for trails but slower than the narrower 700. I also conclude that the 700s being on hybrid bikes are quite sufficient for the trail and a bit speedier on the road.
Did I get this right???
So I want 700 and hybrid for more flexible needs.

Staying on topic, is a 700 tire good enough for road and light trail use?
I noticed that most hybrid bikes (for road and trail) have narrower 700 tires, while comfort ones have fatter 26.
I conclude that the fatter 26 are more comfy on bumps and also good for trails but slower than the narrower 700. I also conclude that the 700s being on hybrid bikes are quite sufficient for the trail and a bit speedier on the road.
Did I get this right???
So I want 700 and hybrid for more flexible needs.

Here's my completely unscientific answer. I've got two bikes: a Trek 7.2 FX hybrid with 700x35 tires @ 80psi and an old steel Roadmaster with 26x1.75 tires @ 60psi. I'm about equally fast (or slow!) on either bike. Both bikes cruise over minor bumps just fine, and both bikes are able to pull off to the side of the road and roll through grass and packed dirt fairly well. The 26" tires (Michelin Country Rock) have a smooth, almost mushy feel to them; the 700 tires (the stock Bontragers that came with the Trek) seem to have a more springy feel to them.

In my opinion, there are a lot of other factors more important than 26" vs. 700. My speed is determined more by what the weather is like (wind, etc.), how much sleep I got the night before, and even what sort of mood I'm in (whether I'm feeling aggressive, lazy, etc.) And the overall feel and ride of a bike are more important than just what size wheels it has.

Bottom line (again, just my opinion): You should not choose a bike based on whether it's got 26" or 700 tires; instead, choose a bike that feels right when you test ride it.

For a thread on tire width and tires in general, see http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=394076