Help me decide! I was dead set on the Troll and then stopped in a bike shop and was told that the Ogre rolls better due to the larger wheels. Now I do believe he was right and I already figured that. But I've read many posts about the two and it seems like the Troll is the preferred machine from a popularity standpoint.
Another thing I was told is that the troll, with its smaller wheels, is generally more suited to a smaller rider and that the wheels and frame are both scaled down together. Once again, something I already had figured.
I'm 6' tall. I'm new at this style of bike. I'll be on the road 95+ percent of the time. However, that could change when I experiment with off road riding and find that I like it.
At 50 years old, I'm not going to be doing anything too crazy....
So, I understand the benefits of the larger wheels. What am I missing about the Troll wheel size and/or geometry that is a positive over the Ogre??? Thanks.

P.S. I won't be going to Pakistan or any other far away land any time soon. So availability of parts/tires is not a consideration.

I have a Troll and like the versatility. You can run 700c or 26" wheels. Here is a thread you may want to read through.

https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...ter-build.html

It's true that larger wheels roll better on the road and they are also better for off road. A bike with 700cc wheels and fat tires (29'er) will ride through rough terrain much easier then a bike with 26 inch wheels. If you going to spend 90% of your riding on the road then 700cc wheels are also a better choice, there is a reason why racing bikes roll on 700cc wheels and not 26 inch wheels. The best thing to do would be to test ride both bikes and see which one fits and feels better to you.

Split the difference...650B Troll! Mine is currently in pure MTB mode with a suspension fork, but it's equally fun in commuter mode with rack and fenders.

The reason why racing bikes roll 700c wheels is UCI regulation. Both land speed upright bicycle records (paced and unpaced) were set on 18" wheels.

152 MPH Pedal Bicycle - Intro

Oops, I'm outta here. I thought this was about Halloween.

"Answer me questions, Questions three". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWS8Mg-JWSg

That's only part of the equation.
Smaller diameter wheels will be lighter for the same strength, or stronger for the same weight as larger wheels, plus smaller wheels can have fatter tires for the same weight. Smaller wheels are also impose fewer restrictions on geometry and suspension. We have bikes with 47-559(26X1.75), 37-590(26X1 3/8), 25-622(700-25c), and 40-635(28X1 1/2), and its clear the bigger the wheel, the smoother the ride, but the heavier and less responsive they feel.

There isn't really any one size that is "better", its about whats the best compromise for the application and intended use.

For a commuter bike I honestly don't think it makes much difference which you pick.

+ 1.

I took a closer look. The bikes are so much the same it's uncanny.

The Troll is 9-speed and Ogre is 10-speed in their current form. This wins you a Dyna-Sys RD on the Ogre. Aside from the added (probably useless) 11t top cog on the Ogre the gears are the same, which means that the Ogre's final drive is about 11% higher due to its 11% bigger wheels. Or you can think of it as the Troll having one lower vs. the Ogre two higher gears. Other than that and the wheel/tire size difference, the components are the same.

The geometry is also about the same which surprised me. The wheelbase and length/reach are the same, giving the Troll bigger tire clearances, and which will make their handling more similar than usual between 26er and 29er. The stack on the Ogre is 1.25" higher as you might expect from the bigger wheel, an so it will sit just a little more upright, subject to adjustment.

The price is $1450, plus whatever it costs you to alter and accessorize it to your liking. The frame is $550. You might be able to build a nicer bike from the frame up for the $900 difference. A Deore groupset from Ribble UK is is $318, with better shifters and hydraulic brakes, and everything will have the same label and style. (Or +$90 gets you SLX). That's the price today, they do have sales. Similar machine built wheels are about $180 for a set (search the Amazon wheel category for M525, which will get you the same hubs). Maybe about $100 for tires & tubes - and you get the right tires from the get-go rather than buying and swapping whatever came on the complete bike. Same advantage with the saddle and handlebars, you can have what you think you like from the very start. You have about $300 left for seat and post, bar and stem and grips.

Tough question. As has been pointed out already there are solid pros and cons to each in direct comparison. I think the answer is best determined by you after some test rides.

My wife has a Troll, she loves it. But I'm 6'2' so I'd lean towards the Ogre mostly because I ride a 29er mountain bike and love the bigger roll over everything performance. IF I was going to have one bike (heaven forbid!) A drop bar Ogre would be near the top of my list. That bike will do a hell of a lot.