26 ins wheels verses 700 wheels.

[croyde]

I hope it's not a daft question but am I making things harder for myself by using hybrids with 26 ins wheels as opposed to the bigger 700 wheels.

Previously I had a mountain bike which I fitted road tyres to, also 26 ins, and I like the look of the smaller wheel but not wanting to waste energy if I am going to get serious about touring, commuting and getting fit etc.

Cheers.

[anonymous-user]

not really. you would have to be very fast to notice whether it was wheel size which was the limiting factor. if its your only bike stick to 26 as the tyre choice for 700 is far more limited...

[k-ink]

After years on MTB's I bought a 700c wheeled top spec roadie. As soon as it rained I was on my arse! 700c tyres are a total joke if it's even slightly damp. I had the best 'stickiest' tyres around (according to the guru's who advised me) and it was pretty lame in corners in those conditions. No point having a fast roadie when MTB's can overtake simply due to their having multiples of the cornering grip.

26" every time!

[exe888]

there is no doubt at all that 700c are faster.
the tyre choice is basically winter/summer or race.
any competent cyclist can manage 700c in most weather bar ice, when all will struggle.

Edited by exe888 on Saturday 10th October 10:01

[k-ink]

The guy who built my bike is in a serious race team. He advised the only thing you can do is slow right down when it's damp (when on skinny 700c)

Maybe it depends if you only ride in the summer dry conditions?

[Saddle bum]

k-ink said:

After years on MTB's I bought a 700c wheeled top spec roadie. As soon as it rained I was on my arse! 700c tyres are a total joke if it's even slightly damp. I had the best 'stickiest' tyres around (according to the guru's who advised me) and it was pretty lame in corners in those conditions. No point having a fast roadie when MTB's can overtake simply due to their having multiples of the cornering grip.

26" every time!

Considering that thousands of miles are safely ridden on 700s throughout the winter, you need to reappraise your degree of skill in handling a machine.

Tearing into damp, slippery corners, possibly with wet leaves, is going to bring down any rider regardless of whether he is riding 700 or 26s. Wet weather tyres, at the right pressure is all that is needed.

[k-ink]

The trouble is after so many years of riding MTB it just seems so dull having to slow down to a snails pace just because it's damp. Skinny tyres with the grip of an eel just don't appeal to me!

[georgezippy]

Surely the grip level also depends on the tread pattern/quantity.

My slick tyred MTB (on 26") is scary in the wet as they are very slick tyres, on mud it's like riding on ice.
My commuter/tourer has 700 wheels and skinny but treaded commuter tyres and these are grippier in the poor conditions.

[fivepint]

as above, you cant just say all 700c are brutal in the wet!I run 700c x 45 with a road centre and knobblies on the sidewall and they are as good if not better then the full knobblies I used to run on 26" wheels... you have to try different tyres/sizes to suit your riding style