wintor

Im buying a mountain bike because it fits my style more, feels better and looks better than a road bike...plus I like to do some stunts (like wheelies, jumps and drifts). But I wont be riding it on mountains or anything, just on the road and maybe some trails from time to time. So I need to know which tire size is faster on the road? Is it the 29ers? Or 27.5"? Or 26"?

Also btw, these are some bikes Im considering right now, so if you tell me which one you think is best, i would really appreciate the advice! :smile:

-Rockrider 540
-Giant ATX 2 (2017)
-VooDoo Aizan
-Carrera Vengeance
-Carrera Vulcan

CliffordK

The one with the fastest rider will be fastest.

I assume the 27.5 tire is significantly narrower than the 29 tire, so it may have a slight advantage.

Rider position on the bikes?

baldilocks

I have always found larger wheels to go faster. The only hold up would be if I couldn't deal with the stand over height of the bike.

HTupolev

Big wheels can roll over big obstacles better, they have an angle-of-attack advantage. But for road riding, the surface irregularities are so small that it's not really an issue. Tire dimensions barely matter at all on pavement; it's mostly about how the tire is constructed and what sort of tread pattern it has.

26/27.5/29 are referring to diameter (559/584/622, 26er/650b/700c). If anything, the lower-diameter wheels tend to be fitted with wider tires.

CliffordK

Oh, right.
28" refers to a narrower version of the 622 tires.

But, it is always easier to refer to the exact tire specs.

There are smooth, narrow 26x1.5 tires.

Gearing makes some difference on the road, but one can achieve the same gearing on a 26" bike and a 29" bike. I would go with somewhat larger gearing than stock MTB gearing though. But, that is me.

I have been impressed by my Clement X'Plor USH-120 tires (700x35 tires), and am convinced that the difference between a mid quality narrow tire and a high quality wide tire is minimal.

However, there remains some difference in rolling resistance between a high quality narrow road tire, and a low quality wide MTB tire.

exmechanic89

I wouldn't buy a mtb if I was primarily riding on roads, not a good fit, imo.

kickstart

It's a flawed question, as the type of tire rather than the size is what really matters.

CliffordK

And, as exmechanic89 suggested, the tire sizes listed are all MTB (and Cross) tire sizes. But, the question is about road riding, so the type of bicycles should at least be revisited.

Want an all terrain bike? There are still Cross bikes that should be considered.

The Cannondale Slate on 650b tires looks fast enough. But, perhaps those are just fast videos.

But, there are plenty of other options on 700c (28"?) tires.

Snuts

This should fit the bill.
The Schwalbe tires that came on mine were very supple. The gearing is what sold me, and the Hydraulic brakes.

https://www.marinbikes.com/ca/bikes/family/muirwoods

Hope this helps.



-Snuts-

Snuts

+1

Drew Eckhardt 

29" which will let you use the fastest road tires which are only made in 700C aka 622mm.

HTupolev

There are some extremely good vulcanized clichers/tubeless available in 584 and 559 right now. The selection isn't huge, but they're there. Thanks to the rise of gravel riding and such.

BobbyG

Stunts on a road bike:
Let Me Google That for You: LMGTFY

indyfabz

Maybe.

kickstart

According to Bicycle Rolling Resistance | Rolling Resistance Tests the difference between the best road tire and the best MTB tire is 4W. How many riders could detect a difference of 4W IRL? I know I couldn't, and if on a MTB its probably irreverent.

Spoonrobot 

The tire you're talking about is basically a road slick - it's in the MTB section because of the width, not because it's appropriate to ride for what most people consider mountain biking.

Schwalbe Big One 29" Tire > Components > Tires > Dirt Tires | Jenson USA

Also, riding a road tire at 100 or 120 psi is ok and usually they ride fine.

Riding an MTB tire at 45 or 55 psi is awful and generally a terrible riding experience.

HTupolev

Keep in mind that "MTB" tire is a broad category.

The fastest "MTB" tire on bicyclerollingresistance is practically a road tire.

WizardOfBoz

The second video has a sequel that talks about the consequences of traumatic spinal cord injury.

It's weird, but I found the second video as compelling as the first.

kickstart

That's my point, the type of tire is far more important than its size for the OP's desires.

IMO, a high pressure road tire, and an over inflated MTB tire are equally undesirable.

tyrion

A 4 inch wide 29er pumped up to 100 psi would have very low rolling resistance at low speeds. 17mm wide 26er at 100 psi would have more rolling resistance at low speed but much less air resistance at high speed.

The 4 inch wide 29er will hold much more inertia.

NormanF

I have a Muirwoods. I swapped the original Conti tires for WTB Freedom Cruz slicks and I'm happy with it - its an older model with mechanical disc brakes. As an urban 29er, its a good ride. Like he said, its fits the bill.

cmdjbi

Width, air pressure and tread pattern make more of an impact on rolling resistance than overall diameter. As for keeping the wheels in motion, a 29er will stay in motion easier.

Kapusta

As others have said, it probably has more to do with the tires then the diameter of the wheel.

That said, there are way more tires for pavement available in 29" (aka 700c) than in the other sizes.

I would also point out (because you mentioned style being a factor here) that most of the fastest road tires are going to look a little goofy on a mountain bike, IMO. Not that I care, but since you may, I point it out.

fietsbob

28" sew up tires, under Peter Sagan's Bike, in the last 100M of the race.

bikestudio

Its Obvious, Larger tire size give you more speed than small size tires. so 29 will be faster tire size for road bike.
But If you are looking for an MTB BIke then 26 tire size preferable because it gives you better control than other sizes.