Never thought I'd be back on 20" wheels
06-04-09 | 10:54 PM
#1
Thread Starter
His Brain is Gone!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,979
Likes: 1
From: Paoli, Wisconsin
Bikes: RANS Stratus, Bridgestone CB-1, Trek 7600, Sun EZ-Rider AX, Fuji Absolute 1.0, Cayne Rambler 3
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.
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.
__________________
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
06-05-09 | 01:46 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
Likes: 650
From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
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.
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.
Last edited by Retro Grouch; 06-05-09 at 01:50 PM.
06-05-09 | 02:56 PM
#5
rebmeM roineS
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,231
Likes: 366
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
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.
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.
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Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
06-05-09 | 05:35 PM
#7
gone ride'n
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,050
Likes: 2
From: Upstate NY
Bikes: Simoncini, Gary Fisher, Specialized Tarmac
06-05-09 | 06:42 PM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 3
06-05-09 | 07:27 PM
#10
Thread Starter
His Brain is Gone!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,979
Likes: 1
From: Paoli, Wisconsin
Bikes: RANS Stratus, Bridgestone CB-1, Trek 7600, Sun EZ-Rider AX, Fuji Absolute 1.0, Cayne Rambler 3
The Sun and RANS use 406mm. I haven't checked my folder, so I don't know.
__________________
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
06-05-09 | 08:07 PM
#11
Thread Starter
His Brain is Gone!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,979
Likes: 1
From: Paoli, Wisconsin
Bikes: RANS Stratus, Bridgestone CB-1, Trek 7600, Sun EZ-Rider AX, Fuji Absolute 1.0, Cayne Rambler 3
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.
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.
__________________
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
06-05-09 | 08:31 PM
#12
Approaching Nirvana
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 0
From: Tomah, WI
Bikes: Catrike Expedition
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.
__________________
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits."
-- Albert Einstein
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits."
-- Albert Einstein
06-05-09 | 08:55 PM
#13
Thread Starter
His Brain is Gone!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,979
Likes: 1
From: Paoli, Wisconsin
Bikes: RANS Stratus, Bridgestone CB-1, Trek 7600, Sun EZ-Rider AX, Fuji Absolute 1.0, Cayne Rambler 3
Oh, and the 3" thick foam cushion seat helps a bit too!
__________________
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
06-07-09 | 01:32 PM
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
From: western new york
Bikes: mid 80s Ross Centaur converted to Alfine 11 09 motobecane imortal force, 83 Ross Paragon,81 Schwinn LeTour Tourist, 91 Paramount, 93 GT converted to city bike
20" wheels
go with a 67 tooth chainring up front..
It'll make it feel just like you were running a 53 thru 700c wheels ..lol
It'll make it feel just like you were running a 53 thru 700c wheels ..lol
06-07-09 | 04:42 PM
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 2
From: Green Valley AZ
Bikes: Trice Q; Volae Century; TT 3.4
