Road Touring on 26" Wheels...
09-26-16 | 10:25 AM
#27
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From: CID
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)
Don't go up or down on some kind of knee-jerk whim -- the right size is always the right size!
09-26-16 | 10:39 AM
#28
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From: PNW
Bikes: 1982 Univega Gran Turismo
The only thing to consider is toe/tire overlap. You may have it with 700c. You probably won't with 26".
09-26-16 | 12:46 PM
#30
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From: Metro Detroit/AA
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
I'm assuming the 26" is a standard 559?
If so, yes, I think they are slightly slower than my 27" bikes, but not in any way that would preclude me from using them, especially if I got down narrower than my current 1.75" commuter tires. Almost took mine on my first trip, but I was worried about boxed weight on an airplane, it being rather heavy.
If so, yes, I think they are slightly slower than my 27" bikes, but not in any way that would preclude me from using them, especially if I got down narrower than my current 1.75" commuter tires. Almost took mine on my first trip, but I was worried about boxed weight on an airplane, it being rather heavy.
09-27-16 | 08:21 AM
#31
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From: North of Boston
Bikes: Kona Dawg, Surly 1x1, Karate Monkey, Rockhopper, Crosscheck , Burley Runabout,
Not particularly. The main issue people run into with 26ers on pavement is that the choices for fast road tires are very limited. If you were planning on getting a thick touring tire anyway, this isn't a problem. And if you were planning on getting a supple high-performance tire... well, there's Compass. My bike with 26x2.3" Compass tires seems perform about the same as my Emonda ALR 5, at least cruising on level ground (it's a much heavier bike on the whole).
A bike that's been designed for 26" wheels should handle fine with 26" wheels.
Actually, since 26ers are usually built up with massively wider tires, if anything they can corner significantly better. Bigger contact patch gives more confident, consistent grip.
A bike that's been designed for 26" wheels should handle fine with 26" wheels.
Actually, since 26ers are usually built up with massively wider tires, if anything they can corner significantly better. Bigger contact patch gives more confident, consistent grip.
09-27-16 | 07:07 PM
#34
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From: Ontario, Canada
Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX
I've converted a number of 26" wheel MTB bicycle to road touring bikes with drop bars over the last few years. One really great thing about a cbike designed for 26" x 2.0" tires is that if you put 1.5" tires on you have plenty of clearance for fenders. You also have the versatility of being able to fit pretty wide tires if you want. A 2.0" wide tires is about the same swidth as 50mm 700C tire.
Cheers
Cheers
10-01-16 | 01:41 PM
#37
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I take my folding MTB w/26" wheels touring all the time. In fact, I use it for just about everything.
With thinner more road-oriented tires it doesn't really feel any slower than my *actual* road bike, it just takes a little longer to get up to speed since it's significantly heavier. In any case, I wouldn't get too hung up on wheel size. How large a tire your frame can take and possible tire availability issues would be bigger concerns to me.
With thinner more road-oriented tires it doesn't really feel any slower than my *actual* road bike, it just takes a little longer to get up to speed since it's significantly heavier. In any case, I wouldn't get too hung up on wheel size. How large a tire your frame can take and possible tire availability issues would be bigger concerns to me.
10-04-16 | 11:24 AM
#38
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From: Idaho
Bikes: Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen, Serotta Colorado Legend TG, Rivendell Roadeo, Surly Cross Check, Surly Big Dummy
........As mentioned, 26 will give you more room for toe overlap and fenders issues, and one of the bonuses is that a 26in wheel compared to a similarly built 700 wheel is slightly stronger due to teh shorter spokes, but given that you want to pull a trailer, its probably not an issue.
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