Originally Posted by rhm
While it's true that 16" wheels don't work well with a derailleur, they work very nicely with an internally geared hub or, as in the case of the Strida, a single speed.
Hmm - well the 9 speed Capreo derailleur set-up on my Mezzo works fine for me for the last 6 months of 5 day a week urban commuting, with some significant hills. I guess its a matter of personal taste, but I do think the Capreo has changed the picture in terms of hub v derailleur for small wheel bikes.
Originally Posted by rhm
The real advantage of small wheels is in inertia. Among other things, you can get up to cruising speed with less effort, which is a big plus if your commute has a lot of traffic stops.
That I do agree with - in heavy London traffic, getting off first from the lights is a real bonus. And the added manoeuvrability of small wheels and easy stop/startability also helps when weaving your way through congested traffic (like most of Camden High Street in rush hour at the moment).