Fifty Plus (50+) - Never thought I'd be back on 20" wheels

I was taking a ride on my folding bike today and it came to me that my bikes collectively have five 20" wheels.

My folder has 2 20" wheels.
My Sun recumbent has 2 20" wheels
My RANS recumbent has a 20" wheel and a 26" wheel.

2 years ago I would have never thunk that I would riding so much on 20" wheels.

Yup, what goes around comes around. :50:

And around and around and around.

So have you noticed any ride/performance differences?

From time to time I toy with the idea of acquiring a recumbent but I'm put off by the idea of 20" wheels. What do you think? What would I be giving up and what would I be getting in return?

I can read all of the "engineering" and "scientific" analysis that I want. I'm more interested in hearing comments from real world users. Frankly, Tom, I think that you're more objective than most in reporting things like that.

20" wheels are said to be very, very robust, all else being equal, and I've found that seems to be true.
They are also said to get up to speed faster or with less effort than bigger wheels.
Currently riding a 20/26 and previously a 20/20.
You could avoid little wheels, RG, by going with a big/big 'bent.

Or get a Cruzbike I have 26in wheels on my kit bike and 700 road wheels in the Silvio.Both bikes ride just fine. Jack

Yup, what goes around comes around. :50:

And what I said to my daughter who just graduated from college with a BS in nursing - I changed your diapers - one day you will change mine. :lol:

Your not cool until you do it on 16"/20" wheels.

.........

My folder has 2 20" wheels.
My Sun recumbent has 2 20" wheels
My RANS recumbent has a 20" wheel and a 26" wheel.

................



406's or 451's, or both?

It can get confusing at times for me.

The Sun and RANS use 406mm. I haven't checked my folder, so I don't know.

So have you noticed any ride/performance differences?



I'd love to be able to answer that from first hand experience, but I am such a non-performance rider that I can't really speak to the issue with any certainty.

I have read numerous threads where the typical final conclusion is that there is a little performance difference in favor of large wheels, due to lower rolling resistance. But the bigger difference is aerodynamics, and some of the low racer 20" wheel bents are incredible on that front.

Some of the fastest bikes in the world are recumbents with 20" wheels. And trikes with 20" wheels.

Also given the same diameter tire, the ride is a bit rougher on a 20", due to the shorter spokes not having as much give in them. I address this by using 1.5" tires and my long wheel base RANS with steel frame has more flex that a steel frame upright bike does.

Also given the same diameter tire, the ride is a bit rougher on a 20", due to the shorter spokes not having as much give in them.

Yep, that's pretty much the way it seems to me too. Also 26" wheels don't fall as far into small holes, which many of my local roads seem to have.

I
Also given the same diameter tire, the ride is a bit rougher on a 20", due to the shorter spokes not having as much give in them. I address this by using 1.5" tires and my long wheel base RANS with steel frame has more flex that a steel frame upright bike does.

Oh, and the 3" thick foam cushion seat helps a bit too!

go with a 67 tooth chainring up front..
It'll make it feel just like you were running a 53 thru 700c wheels ..lol

go with a 67 tooth chainring up front..
It'll make it feel just like you were running a 53 thru 700c wheels ..lol

And with a short wheelbase recumbent those teeth are right in the very front.