Originally Posted by
Happy Feet
If you want to advance a hypothesis you need to use more precise language. I don't think anyone ever marketed a "normal" bike. What are you talking about?
FWIW, these are 28x2.0 tires. I don't think anyone would confuse them with 29r mtb design
Equally, early era MTB/ATB's could not be confused in any way with modern "hybrid design. This is a 1984 Norco that shows such initial geometry (the first commercial MTB was in 82). Yes, it's got mis-matchy parts, I just picked it up off CL.
what you (or the manufacturer) calls 28", is the very same what 29" or 700c is. That tire will fit on a rim marketed as any of the 3 designations provided the rim width is within reason of tire width. 28" has been standard wheel size for regular sized adults for ages. it is just that when MTB were "invented" there were no wide tires available in 28", so they used the cruiser 26" balloon tires. At some point they came back to 28", but to be cool called it 29".
Most of everything in the bike industry is around available tire sizes. A frame, even rims, can be jury-rigged in a garage to any size one needs. but you can't make your own tires.