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700 vs. 26" Rear Wheel

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700 vs. 26" Rear Wheel

Old 04-26-09, 05:38 PM
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700 vs. 26" Rear Wheel

Please excuse me if this is an old topic but I could not find anything on this subject.

I'm thinking of going from a DF to a bent for me and my wife. I am just starting to research these things.

I have just about decided on a LWB for each of us, mostly because I think it will be more comfortable on longer rides.

One of the bigger differences I've seen is the size of the rear wheel. I am wondering if there is that much difference in speed or effort be3tween the 26" wheel and the 700mm wheel. That is 10" more travel on each revolution but a little more effort to turn it.

What are the knowlegable thoughts on this? Should I look for a bent with a 26" rear wheel or a 700mm rear wheel or does it not make a difference.
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Old 04-26-09, 05:46 PM
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If you are looking for "thinner" tires for the rear wheel, the 700 will allow you to use regular road performance type tires, of which there is a large selection. There are fewer selections of "skinny" tires in the 26" category.
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Old 04-26-09, 09:48 PM
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If you use similarly sized tires the 26" will accelerate a little easier than the 700C but the 700C will roll a little easier once it is up to speed.
Some bikes with 700C tires will have a slightly higher seat than those with 26". Not always you would have to check the specs of the bike you are looking at.
There are more skinny high performance tires available for 700C, and more durable touring style tires for 26". But you can get racing and touring tires in both sizes.
26" wheels tend to be heavier but tougher, again there are exceptions.
26" tires and tubes are available everywhere. You can get them at a bike store, Wal-Mart, even the most remote undeveloped parts of the world.
Going racing or at least fast riding with friends, get 700C. All around riding go 26".
My personal belief is that it doesn't matter all that much. If I found a bike that I really liked the ride of it wouldn't matter to me whether it had 700C or 26".
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Old 04-27-09, 06:49 AM
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Thanks for the responses.

I'm just in the beginning stages of researching bents so I will probably have a lot of questions.

I'm not out to go racing or riding really fast. I like to cruise at about 15 to 18 on my upright bike so I suspect I will expect to do about the same on a bent. My wife and I want to do some touring so I suspect the 26" wheel might be the best solution although like oddball said - it probably dosen't matter.
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Old 04-27-09, 11:04 PM
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I can cruise at around 15 mph on my 26 X 20. I am not in the best of shape as my work schedule limits me to about 60 to 80 miles a week. In the summer I use Primo Comets that are 1.5" wide and pump the rear to 100 psi the front to 80 psi.
If touring were my goal I would definitely go with 26" (559mm) and if I had a smaller front tire I would go with a 20" (406mm). With those two sizes replacement tubes and tires will be easiest to find. The skinniest tire I have found for either was 28mm wide.
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