16" wheel vs 20" wheel
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Arizona
Posts: 806
Bikes: Brompton and Dahon Curve D3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
16" wheel vs 20" wheel
If this is sort of a duplicate thread, I apologize. Looking at many photos of folding bikes both with 20" wheels, like what I own, and bikes with 16" wheels I started to ponder on what could be major and minor differences between the two. Obviously a bike with 16" wheels would fold down to a smaller package for storing in the trunk of a car, but are there any noticeable differences riding a 16" wheeled bike in comparison to a 20" wheeled bike? Can I assume correctly that the manufacturer would compensate with different gear ratios?
Cheers
Wayne
Cheers
Wayne
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Henrico, VA
Posts: 1,480
Bikes: Origami Gazelle, Origami Crane 8, Origami Cricket 7
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 452 Post(s)
Liked 405 Times
in
241 Posts
You may notice that a 16" wheel does not glide of road imperfections as well as 20", but there is no discernable difference on smooth pavement.
Yes, the gearing on a 16" will be different to accommodate the smaller wheels; this often means a larger crank wheel.
Yes, the gearing on a 16" will be different to accommodate the smaller wheels; this often means a larger crank wheel.
__________________
Paul Pinigis
Owner of Origami Bicycle Company
Paul Pinigis
Owner of Origami Bicycle Company
#3
Banned
2 of each to make 4 of them .. same deal, thinner tire, larger rim; and fatter tire, smaller rim.
349/305 & 451/406 .. thinner tires offer a lighter tire, operating at a higher PSI.
349/305 & 451/406 .. thinner tires offer a lighter tire, operating at a higher PSI.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bangkok: hottest average temperature :(
Posts: 628
Bikes: *1998 GT Forte Ti 700c, Totem KDS-D 26" fatbike, BirdyGT 18", Brompton M2LX 16"
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 88 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Smaller tires usually means smaller wheelbase too, so you want to ride slower.
I don't ride fast on folding bikes so I went with the smaller 14 and 16" bikes for ultimate portability.
I don't ride fast on folding bikes so I went with the smaller 14 and 16" bikes for ultimate portability.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Arizona
Posts: 806
Bikes: Brompton and Dahon Curve D3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I never thought of that. Having a shorter wheel base could make it a bit more difficult riding if you are taller in the saddle. I'm 6' 1", so perhaps a 16" wheeled bike might not work for me.
#6
Banned
But and Although .. Bike Friday Has sizes, others dont have but one.
If you bought a large sized BF Tikit, it would be a longer wheelbase than if you bought a Small sized one.
that is their 349 wheel bike .. folds fast ..
their 20" wheel; travel bikes are made in 8 different top tube lengths .
so wheel base follows as the size increase.
just are not going to be as cheap as China Mass produces single sized bikes.
If you bought a large sized BF Tikit, it would be a longer wheelbase than if you bought a Small sized one.
that is their 349 wheel bike .. folds fast ..
their 20" wheel; travel bikes are made in 8 different top tube lengths .
so wheel base follows as the size increase.
just are not going to be as cheap as China Mass produces single sized bikes.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bangkok: hottest average temperature :(
Posts: 628
Bikes: *1998 GT Forte Ti 700c, Totem KDS-D 26" fatbike, BirdyGT 18", Brompton M2LX 16"
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 88 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Regarding Dahons, you're probably out of luck.
I'm 5'8" with a 31" inseam and my 600mm seatpost has 5-7cm of safe length to spare.
This goes for both the 16" Mantis and 14" Dove
Since you're ~15cm/5" taller, you will run out of seatpost.
Do some research on Brompton, maybe they fit taller riders?
I'm 5'8" with a 31" inseam and my 600mm seatpost has 5-7cm of safe length to spare.
This goes for both the 16" Mantis and 14" Dove
Since you're ~15cm/5" taller, you will run out of seatpost.
Do some research on Brompton, maybe they fit taller riders?
#8
Banned
Brompton's H steering mast adds 3" to the M bar set-up,
and their telescoping post in top of the post that goes in the frame
will certainly offer enough extension . 2 QR's
as may the Extended standard type post , adds same extra 3" ,
but Tele folds in a Bit lower when in that mode.
349 wheel .. BF Tikit Builds around that wheel size too ..
and their telescoping post in top of the post that goes in the frame
will certainly offer enough extension . 2 QR's
as may the Extended standard type post , adds same extra 3" ,
but Tele folds in a Bit lower when in that mode.
349 wheel .. BF Tikit Builds around that wheel size too ..
Last edited by fietsbob; 07-16-13 at 02:05 PM.
#9
DancesWithSUVs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Griffin Cycle Bethesda,MD
Posts: 6,983
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I'm 6' and my S bar Brompton fits fine. Not much left on the extended seatpost,so if your inseam is over 33" you'd prolly want the telescopic. My 20" bikes do feel better when out of the saddle,and ride a bit better,but my riding position is comfortable on all of them.
__________________
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Arizona
Posts: 806
Bikes: Brompton and Dahon Curve D3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm 6' and my S bar Brompton fits fine. Not much left on the extended seatpost,so if your inseam is over 33" you'd prolly want the telescopic. My 20" bikes do feel better when out of the saddle,and ride a bit better,but my riding position is comfortable on all of them.
#11
Senior Member
The only real downside I see to 16" tires is that I can't get Big Apples in that size and width to fit my Brompton. Bummer.
#12
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
14 Posts
Regarding Dahons, you're probably out of luck.
I'm 5'8" with a 31" inseam and my 600mm seatpost has 5-7cm of safe length to spare.
This goes for both the 16" Mantis and 14" Dove
Since you're ~15cm/5" taller, you will run out of seatpost.
Do some research on Brompton, maybe they fit taller riders?
I'm 5'8" with a 31" inseam and my 600mm seatpost has 5-7cm of safe length to spare.
This goes for both the 16" Mantis and 14" Dove
Since you're ~15cm/5" taller, you will run out of seatpost.
Do some research on Brompton, maybe they fit taller riders?
As far as the difference in a 16" wheel vs the 20" wheel. The smaller wheel is more prone to "grabbing" pot holes and curb edges than a larger, just a normal part of the way they work. I can ride a Brompton just as fast or faster than I can a 700c machine with a similar set up. Not that I am that fast to begin with.
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#13
Banned
FWIW , newer Bromptons wheel bases are longer than the earlier ones .
That came in when the hinges changed from forged plates fillet brazed, ( a skilled job )
to the Cast hinges, torch array brazed ... [less skill required , faster per piece.]
That came in when the hinges changed from forged plates fillet brazed, ( a skilled job )
to the Cast hinges, torch array brazed ... [less skill required , faster per piece.]
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Naptown
Posts: 1,133
Bikes: NWT 24sp DD; Brompton M6R
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
1 Post
Not necessarily - the wheelbase is the measure from hub to hub, so wheel size doesn't really come into it. The Brompton has a 1045mm wheelbase, my 20" custom BF has a 39" wheelbase, and a Trek 520 in my size (although perhaps not in yours) has a 1044mm wheelbase (although if you go to the next size up (19"), the wheelbase extends to 1046mm).
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,821
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNnOdoUn3kg
https://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...0/alex-moulton
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: The Big City
Posts: 619
Bikes: Brompton M3L, Tern Verge P20, Citi Bike
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 85 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
7 Posts
Based on my Brompton, small wheels can also accelerate faster than bigger ones; very handy in city traffic. I'm usual the first one out of the gate compared to full sized bikes, and it's easier to clear the intersection before the cars move. Steering is is twitchy, or nimble, depending on how you look at it. I appreciate the extra maneuverability when dodging traffic, but it does require more attention and feels less stable; riding no handed is pretty much out of the question.
#17
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
As it goes with other wheel sizes, a larger diameter wheel will handle rougher roads better than a smaller wheel although this has a lot to do with the bike.
My rigid Phillip's 20 is fitted with 406:40 Schwalbe Marathon tyres (@75psi) and my suspended Moulton is fitted with 349:37 Comets @ 85psi and the two bicycles are nearly indistinguishable when it comes to ride and handling although the larger wheels on the Phillips will roll over and through things better. The Marathons can be run as high as 90 but then the ride quality gets a little jarring unless the bike is loaded down for touring.
One would probably not want to run the smaller Comets on a rigid frame, the ride quality would probably be very poor... I have run 406:25 Comets on my Phillips at 85 psi and they roll out very quickly and the ride quality is rather excellent due to the suppleness of these tyres although you give up some puncture protection.
My rigid Phillip's 20 is fitted with 406:40 Schwalbe Marathon tyres (@75psi) and my suspended Moulton is fitted with 349:37 Comets @ 85psi and the two bicycles are nearly indistinguishable when it comes to ride and handling although the larger wheels on the Phillips will roll over and through things better. The Marathons can be run as high as 90 but then the ride quality gets a little jarring unless the bike is loaded down for touring.
One would probably not want to run the smaller Comets on a rigid frame, the ride quality would probably be very poor... I have run 406:25 Comets on my Phillips at 85 psi and they roll out very quickly and the ride quality is rather excellent due to the suppleness of these tyres although you give up some puncture protection.
#18
master of bottom licks
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Lou-evil, Canned-Yucky USA
Posts: 2,210
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
IMHO the ride difference between the most popular 16" size (349) and the most popular 20" (405) is negligible on paved roads when considering the relatively wide range of tire types available for both.
Last edited by BassNotBass; 07-19-13 at 02:12 PM.
#20
Banned.
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Brighton UK
Posts: 1,662
Bikes: 20" Folder, Road Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Hi,
Note that the gearing on cheap 16" folders its often identical to
that used on a 20" folders and they are often horribly undergeared.
e.g. :
Citizen Miami 20" : Gear inches 64, 56, 49.8, 42.7, 37.4, 32
Citizen Tokyo 16" : Gear inches 46.1, 40.4, 35.9, 30.8, 26.9, 23.1
Both use a 48 front with 14, 16, 18, 21, 24, 28 rear.
rgds, sreten.
My 20" folder tops out at about 18mph top gear,
same rate is 13mph on a 16" albeit a lot easier.
Note that the gearing on cheap 16" folders its often identical to
that used on a 20" folders and they are often horribly undergeared.
e.g. :
Citizen Miami 20" : Gear inches 64, 56, 49.8, 42.7, 37.4, 32
Citizen Tokyo 16" : Gear inches 46.1, 40.4, 35.9, 30.8, 26.9, 23.1
Both use a 48 front with 14, 16, 18, 21, 24, 28 rear.
rgds, sreten.
My 20" folder tops out at about 18mph top gear,
same rate is 13mph on a 16" albeit a lot easier.
Last edited by sreten; 07-20-13 at 08:17 AM.
#21
Banned
To keep the price low the components are chosen for low price too..
once you own the bike you can have parts changed to suit your preferences..
once you own the bike you can have parts changed to suit your preferences..
#22
my nice bike is at home
Consider 451 wheels. Just to keep the argument going...
#24
master of bottom licks
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Lou-evil, Canned-Yucky USA
Posts: 2,210
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Once my Brompton arrives I'm looking to modify it so that I can fit the 635s from my Flying Pigeon for a better ride.
Ah yea, rollin on my 28s pumpin Country Grammar through my DreBeats.
Ah yea, rollin on my 28s pumpin Country Grammar through my DreBeats.