I wouldn't worry about going with 26" wheels, my buddy that i tour with runs a 700c LHT, our last ride together i didn't have problems keeping up with him or anything. I did get him on some of the passes as the 26's do spin up a little faster. But that trek looks like a really good bike if i had 1400 bucks i would probably get that, for that matter wanna buy an 87 kuwahara for 1400