Originally Posted by
SlimRider
Welcome To Bike Forums, Padma!
Smaller wheels allow you to accelerate faster at the start and change directions faster. They don't hold the line of movement or momentum as well as larger tire sizes. Larger tire sizes traverse obstacles better and given time, will usually over take smaller wheeled bicycles given adequate distance.
Cyclists who are vertically challenged should most probably opt for the 26ers and taller riders would most probably be better off with 29ers. 26 inchers provide a lower center of gravity and therefore, feel more stable when cycling for the shorter rider.
Are there 26ers hybrids? I only saw mountain bikes at the LBSes I visited. I have to buy my wife a new bike in a couple of months, and she's built similar to Padma so the same advice will apply to her too.