Alec E

My Googling powers are failing me. I'm trying to find a paper I've more than once read reference to, apparently an M.I.T. thesis arguing that the ideal wheel diameter for a human powered vehicle is 17 inches--or something like that.

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

Still Pedaling

Not really Alec, but I do know that I enjoy riding my 20" FB more than I do my 26" MB. Perhaps that has something to do with what you're saying. If it's more enjoyable, then it must ideal.

Cheers
Wayne

landhere

If the rider enjoys what they're riding, it beats any kind of research or data. (Sorry I can't find the paper.)

fietsbob

Remember Aaron Swartz, he wanted to open up University Documents then

requiring the reader be paying The Uni's Tuition to access the MIT archived Papers..

They Prosecuted him for a Felony ..

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...-aaron-swartz/

BikeLite

https://hadland.wordpress.com/2012/06...dult-bicycles/

smallwheeler

TL;DR:

"Small wheels are stronger, lighter, stiffer, more compact, have lower wind resistance and offer more design options. They facilitate faster acceleration and more responsive handling. Used in conjunction with suspension and supple high pressure tyres, they can be particularly effective.

As Vélocio put it:
“That universal agreement has fixed on 70 centimetres as the proper size for wheels does not in any way prove that this diameter is best; it simply proves that cyclists follow each other like sheep…. Make no mistake, uniformity is leading us directly towards boredom and towards routine, whilst diversity, even though it distracts us, holds our attention, our interest and the spirit of enquiry always on the watch. To change is not always to perfect, and I know that better than any others newly come to cyclo-technology. But to stand still, to sink into a rut, that is the worst of things for industries and for men.”"

badmother

Not only cyclists.

Where I live a person described as "Has both feet planted on the ground" is a solid relyable person (old Hungarian proverb" ), a person who stick to the well known- what is safe. I prefer "If you`ve got both feet on the ground you`re not getting anywhere" but it has its price.

chaadster

Thanks for the topic and the link, folks. That was an interesting article for me to read, as it brought together several issues whose intersection I'd never really considered fully, and introduced some new notions, like increased bearing drag from faster rotating hubs and the idea that we arrived at the 27"/700c-ish standard as a result of the diamond frame's demands and limitations.

I'm not sure I totally buy that latter point in full yet, but what's great reading if it doesn't lead to deeper consideration and more questions? Thanks again, guys!

dynaryder

700c wheels do have their advantages. They roll over things better. This is a good thing if your local roads suck.

Horses for courses. Both small wheels and big wheels have their place.

fietsbob

the late sir Alex Moulton's bikes had 17" wheels , for a long time they also had an exclusive tire supplier
that had no incentive to make any better tire because the bike owner had no choice,
so suck tires cost a lot.

sreten

Hi,

The tyres were good in the first place, like the Brompton 16" tyres.

rgds, sreten.

fietsbob

70's~80's? the black wall Wolber ones? had some black wall on the Mk2 Brompton, they wore down in a couple months, when I had to climb hills ..
they were the 'record ' ones tread like on Raleigh 3 speeds ..