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Old 03-10-10 | 10:32 AM
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rhm
multimodal commuter
 
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: NJ, NYC, LI

Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...

Originally Posted by Cyclebum
700c roll a little faster. ...
If all other variables are equalized, a larger wheel makes fewer revolutions for any given distance; therefore the friction in the bearings is reduced accordingly. So yes, 700c rolls a little faster. But while rim size is one isolated variable, your rolling speed will be determined by many-- tires, bearings, aerodynamics, road surface, etc. Beyond considerations of tire availability, I would not consider wheel size a major factor in a decision about buying a bike unless I was looking for something very specific, such as the smallest possible folding bike (in which case I'd recommend 16", but that's for another forum).
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