not in my experience. Are there specific tires you are used to using? If so, it should be easy to find out if they are avail in 26.

I still like that 26 help a bit with lower gear inch, and are said to be a bit stronger than larger wheelsets, although that is probably pretty hard to quantify--what I can say is that my 32 spoke wheels have held up very well over three trips loaded up with 40, 50, 60 lbs on all kinds of surfaces, but Im not a heavy guy and have been using lower psi tires, both important factors.