26" Wheels & Tires vs 700c?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,019
Bikes: Diamond Back Apex, Mongoose IBOC Aluminum Road Bike, SR road bike
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 515 Post(s)
Liked 166 Times
in
116 Posts
26" Wheels & Tires vs 700c?
I thought about the differences for city and touring bikes. Even did a small bit of searching on the subject.
What are your thoughts?
An interesting read on he subject can be found in the link below.
Wheels for Cyletouring - 700c vs 26?
What are your thoughts?
An interesting read on he subject can be found in the link below.
Wheels for Cyletouring - 700c vs 26?
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,019
Bikes: Diamond Back Apex, Mongoose IBOC Aluminum Road Bike, SR road bike
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 515 Post(s)
Liked 166 Times
in
116 Posts
A bit more searching did reveal a thread on BF about this too.
https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/58...c-vs-26-a.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/58...c-vs-26-a.html
#3
Mostly harmless ™
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Novi Sad
Posts: 4,424
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1105 Post(s)
Liked 213 Times
in
127 Posts
In my experience, roads are far from perfect in my city and around it - 26" wheel will have a slightly wider tyre than a 28" one in order to be comfortable enough. Apart from that, pros and cons IMO, 26 vs 28:
- smaller diameter and overall bike size - easier for placing the bike in elevators, carrying over tight stairways
- takes wider tyres usually, so winter cycling first choice for me
- rides a bit slower than a 28" wheel
- smaller diameter and overall bike size - easier for placing the bike in elevators, carrying over tight stairways
- takes wider tyres usually, so winter cycling first choice for me
- rides a bit slower than a 28" wheel
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Posts: 1,298
Bikes: 2017 Salsa Carbon Mukluk frame built with XT, 2018 Kona Rove NRB build with Sram Apex 1,2008 Salsa El Mariachi, 1986 Centurion Ironman
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 286 Post(s)
Liked 100 Times
in
65 Posts
I ride 26" and I'm quite happy with it.
You'll get stronger wheels for the same build, but you'll have a lesser selection of tires. I'm fine with the latter, as I'm partial to Schwalbe, and they make almost all their tires in 26". The exception to this is that some of their higher end tires, like the One, are 700c only.
#6
Banned
-559 vs -622 isn't that big of a deal.
Schwalbe make most tires in both sizes.
Schwalbe make most tires in both sizes.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Munising, Michigan, USA
Posts: 4,131
Bikes: Priority 600, Priority Continuum, Devinci Dexter
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 685 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times
in
37 Posts
A lot of this is down to preference. The size I'm liking these days is 47 mm tires on 650b rims. I've both my urban bikes set up with that combination. The outer tire diameter looks and feels right to me given my body size and bicycle frame size. The wide tire width lets me ride comfortably on rough pavement and my county's seemingly endless supply of gravel road and double-track.
#8
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,625
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3868 Post(s)
Liked 2,560 Times
in
1,574 Posts
Most of my commuting is on 26" wheels with 1.75" tires. Not because I did a lot of analysis beforehand, but 26" is what came with the old mountain bike that I converted to fixed gear, and the ability to run those fat tires with fenders is really great.
Every so often, I'll commute on my 700C road bike with 28mm tires on a nice day for a change of pace.
Every so often, I'll commute on my 700C road bike with 28mm tires on a nice day for a change of pace.
#9
Banned
to be honest, this isn't a question about tyre diameter/width, it's really about frame geometry.
with the correct frame it's quite easy to run 47-622 or 47-559 and disc brakes.
with the correct frame it's quite easy to run 47-622 or 47-559 and disc brakes.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,505
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5877 Post(s)
Liked 3,445 Times
in
2,066 Posts
Six of one, half dozen of another
#11
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,625
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3868 Post(s)
Liked 2,560 Times
in
1,574 Posts
To a point. The geometry on small frames gets really jacked up if you insist on those tall wheels all the way down. That's why Surly and some other brands only offer the smaller wheel sizes in their smallest frames.
#12
Banned
We're not riding in the TdF, we're commuting to work (mostly.) I doubt that we'd notice the difference day-to-day. Unless, the larger diameter tyre shielded us from elbows.
#13
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,625
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3868 Post(s)
Liked 2,560 Times
in
1,574 Posts
Those elbows will get ya!
#14
Señior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
For touring especially in multiple countries, I think 26" is the logical choice. Anyplace that has bicycle tires at all will have 26" tires. 700C, not nearly the case. Some countries it may be very difficult indeed to buy 700c tires.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#15
Banned
I can only speak for EU, Americas and SE Asia/coastal China but every bike shop with a 26"/559 will have a 28"/29"/622/700c tyre.
#16
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,852
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
No, I disagree. The problem is that with a large wheel it can be impossible to get the handlebar low enough for a smaller rider. Though in many cases the smaller rider in question doesn't notice, and/or claims s/he doesn't care, they still end up riding in an inefficient position that leads to discomfort.
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
#17
Banned
#18
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,852
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
In order to get on the bike every day, to look forward to riding the bike, whether it's for a shopping trip, commuting to work, or indeed racing, the bike has to fit. This is one of the most important requirements of any bike.
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,505
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5877 Post(s)
Liked 3,445 Times
in
2,066 Posts
No that's not necessarily true in the US. if you're bike can only take a tire as large as 700 x 32c, you can have issues finding this tire in many small towns. 26 inch tires are more readily available as are fatter volume 700c tires.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Singapore
Posts: 470
Bikes: Voodoo Hoodoo, Linus Libertine
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 106 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
9 Posts
Totally agree. A few millimeters makes a noticeable difference, even for just a few minutes ride.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 3,509
Bikes: 3 good used ones
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
My old Schwinn Continental (or was that a Varsity?) had 27" tires. So, I never even gave it a second thought when the newer road bike came in 700mm.
#22
Señior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
The touring journals I've read indicate that when you get down into little villages in Mexico and South America, you'll almost certainly not find 700c tires. Bigger cities will have a proper bike shop that may carry 700c tires.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Elevation 666m Edmonton Canada
Posts: 2,457
Bikes: 2013 Custom SA5w / Rohloff Tourster
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 314 Times
in
241 Posts
I now have an old bike now with 590/ 29 and 584/ 37 rear SA 3, just over 26". Not bad at all, maybe a bit slower. Many new bikes and girl bikes still have them. Nice for city traffic really. I always have and always will consider 559 to be a clown size, that is now finally dying out.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 6,432
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 539 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times
in
38 Posts
700c
- Faster
- Handles bumpy roads better, rolls over stuff 26" has trouble with
26"
- Turns faster, which is never a problem in commuting
- You can find an older cheaper 26" bike used easier
- Slightly smaller to fit into your trunk
I would not buy a new 26" bike unless it was the kind of thing where I wasn't going to ride it often and it was super cheap nowadays. 700c is just superior.
- Faster
- Handles bumpy roads better, rolls over stuff 26" has trouble with
26"
- Turns faster, which is never a problem in commuting
- You can find an older cheaper 26" bike used easier
- Slightly smaller to fit into your trunk
I would not buy a new 26" bike unless it was the kind of thing where I wasn't going to ride it often and it was super cheap nowadays. 700c is just superior.
#25
Banned
Bike shops, maybe. But not every town has a bike shop. If you shred a tire, you need one now. I've never seen 700c tires in Walmart for instance.
The touring journals I've read indicate that when you get down into little villages in Mexico and South America, you'll almost certainly not find 700c tires. Bigger cities will have a proper bike shop that may carry 700c tires.
The touring journals I've read indicate that when you get down into little villages in Mexico and South America, you'll almost certainly not find 700c tires. Bigger cities will have a proper bike shop that may carry 700c tires.
I can't remember the last time I was in a decent-sized town (bigger than 50k or so) in the US, without a bikeshop.