The debate among mountain
bikers between 26-inch wheels and 28-inch wheels is one of the most contested
and undecided aspects in competitive cycling. There are riders who support one
size or the other exclusively in their particular sport, and because each wheel
size has its particular benefits and drawbacks, neither has completely taken
over the market. Understanding the differences between these sizes and what the
implication is for the rider can help you decide which style of bike is best
for you.
Wheel Size
Wheel size in cycling is
standardized, and several wheel sizes are ubiquitous across mass-manufactured
bicycles, regardless of their brand. The way a wheel size is measured is by the
diameter of the tire from edge to edge, known as the bead set diameter. For
modern bicycles, the bead of the tire is about 6-8 mm smaller than the rim's
diameter. Tire diameter and width affects the traction, handling and rolling
performance of the bike.
Mountain Bike Tire Sizes
The 28-inch wheel is often
referred to as a "29er" wheel in mountain biking. 29er bicycles have
the largest wheel size available for mountain bikes at 622 mm, which is
identical in diameter to the common road bike wheel size, 700c. The smaller 26
inch wheel had long been the standard size in mountain biking and became a
cultural standard in most other areas of the world, such as South America. 26
inch wheels have a smaller rim diameter at 559 mm.
26 Inch Wheels
26-inch wheels were
initially popular for mountain biking because of their smaller wheel size
increased their handling and maneuverability, which was a benefit for off-road
riding. In addition, the smaller spoke length and rim diameter increased the
wheel's strength, which decreased the amount of maintenance a mountain bike
needed. These aspects continue to make the tire popular for mountain biking
today, and also account for the tire's widespread use across the rest of the
globe, especially in underdeveloped nations.
28 Inch Wheels
The 29er's wheel size has
been recently mainstreamed in mountain biking because of an increase in rolling
performance, which is a measure of how well the bike can roll over obstacles of
different sizes. This increase in traversal ability is also coupled with newer
methods of wheel building that give modern wheels more strength than in
previous decades, which makes the durability of the rim against distortion less
of a deciding factor in wheel choice. These larger wheels sacrifice some
maneuverability, but for sports like downhill racing and all-mountain racing,
this drawback is acceptable for the greater rolling performance afforded by the
larger wheel.
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