Originally Posted by
-holiday76
i can say one thing, I don't know how much the difference in wheel size makes the difference, but to really get the cushy feel of a higher volume tire I think you need to go 36 mm at an absolute minimum. If you could fit a 700x36 or preferably a little bigger on a bike made for 27" wheels i'd think you'd have a fairly similar feel. My Lotus is a 27" wheeled touring bike with canti's, but the biggest I can fit in a 700c while having room for fenders is a actual 32, and that just doesnt approach the same feel as these 38's.
I have two very similar bikes, except for wheel size: a 64cm Kogswell P/R with 700x35c's, and a 65cm Trek 610, converted to 650x38b. The ride quality is very similar, but the Kog feels relatively sluggish to accelerate. Interesting, because the wheels and tires are very close in weight. I think it comes down to the difference in wheel diameter; about 40mm. Can't quote you any formulas, but IIRC, if you have two wheels of the same weight and different diameters, the smaller will accelerate (and decelerate) more readily. In this case, it's a noticeable difference.
Anybody want to buy a 64cm Kog P/R (almost complete bike)? PM me for info and pics.
SP
Bend, OR