Originally Posted by
arctos
Whenever this wheel size debate is raised I think that it is a miracle that I have survived self contained international and Divide Ride rough stuff touring using Schwalbe Marathon XR 700x47mm tires. Baja washboard, Andean dirt and pumice, Canadian roots and rocks, Divide Ride gravel fire roads and local shale and granite trials have not managed to destroy them.
I have found that using high quality equipment [particularly tires] combined with a conservative riding style off road and low equipment loads prevents most touring equipment problems.
I've had my 700c LHT in Baja as well and had no issues. My friend was riding a 26" wheeled touring bike. Had we both destroyed a wheel she would have been rolling again after the next small town. I'd have been on a bus for 2 days each way back to San Diego to get a replacement and then back to complete my tour. I wasn't going to buy a new bike for month long tour and just accepted the risks.
700c wheels don't spontaneously explode when you leave Canada/US for Mexico or Central America, but if you need a replacement wheel/tire you simply won't find one for a 700c touring bike - heck you may have trouble finding 700c spares in some parts of Canada/US. However, 26" wheels and tires are common in much of the world so if you are buying a new bike and planning to tour in these places it makes sense to get 26" wheels. Can you tour on 700c wheels sure...you can also tour on 650B, 406 or any other bicycle wheel size as long as you are okay with having to struggle when spares are needed.