Cycling UK Forum

Ok, as previously mentioned i am thinking of a new bike and the expedition bikes I have been looking at have 26" wheels because they are supposedly available world wide. Is this because America don't understand the metric system or are there other places that you would stuggle to get hold of a 700C, wheel/tyre/tube?

Paul

America does understand the metric system and 700c is common there.It seems its the far East and South America that are the domain of the26in wheel from what i've read.
So if your heading there exclusively perhaps 26in is your choice but if the majority of you touring is not then I'd stick with 700c.
There are some makers pushing 26 for all its worth but I believe the arguement for them has holes,not least the lack of tyre choice,there is also the claim that 26in builds into stiffer wheel I'm not that convinced about that either.
If the worst ever came to the worst then FedeX can reach the parts other beers can't so to speak.
PS Rigida Sputniks are one tough rim 26in or 700c,and if I could get them in 48hole would be the rim of choice for our tandems.

Baldric

There was an explanation from CJ some time ago. I think it was on the lines that the company (American - perhaps Marin) which launched the mountain bike plumped for 26" for no obvious reason and that size spread from that.

i always thought that MTBs had 26inch wheels because that was the size of balloon tyre used on the old "cruiser bikes" that were used for MTBing in Marin County before proper MTBs were developed.

I do wish we could settle this 26" v 700c debate once and for all - it is quite extraordinary and I am planning on getting a new tandem so I need to know. The two issues appear to be: better road riding on 700c and stronger wheels with 26", yet both of these claims are heavily disputed by the other "side". What is the truth of the matter?

horizon wrote:I do wish we could settle this 26" v 700c debate once and for all - it is quite extraordinary and I am planning on getting a new tandem so I need to know. The two issues appear to be: better road riding on 700c and stronger wheels with 26", yet both of these claims are heavily disputed by the other "side". What is the truth of the matter?

We've got two tandems one with 26in the other 700c.I have no prefence in wheel size and i don't think one is appreciably stronger than the other.
The problem is with the limited choice of tyres and rims in 26in if using 48hole rims,whereas theres a lot more choice in 700c.
Horizon,what kind of tandem are you thinking about?

Hi r2: we've currently got a Dawes Discovery Tandem (700c, steel frame) for light touring which I find first class - really nice ride. But we want to go camping and I would like a few more touring goodies like drops, toe clips, lower gears as well as the usual wheels etc for a stronger bike. A Galaxy Twin would probably fit the bill. Our other option would be a Thorn. I don't think there are (m)any other choices in this price range. But even these two choices leave us with the 700c/26" dilemma. I think it ironic that 26" gives you the choice of tyres and 700c gives you the choice of wheels!

Perhaps another factor in choosing, is the size of the rider. 26" wheels do come into their own with smaller riders and is of particular benefit to women, as they allow the design of the frame to be tweaked to allow for a shorter top tube. Again the smaller wheel can avoid the possibility of toes clipping the front mudguard.
Charles Roberts met with considerable success in designing and building a 26" wheeled bike for women which incorporated the above points. Thorn too has found many women converts to this size, as these frames do agree with the longer legs and shorter back, which as a genera rule differentiates women from men.

Thanks for that georgew - a good point. My youngest daughter has a 700c bike and I reckon it only just works at her size frame. Our current tandem fits well but a 26" wheel may just be slightly better. My main complaint against 26" on a tandem is that the sort of terrain that calls for 26" isn't really fully loaded tandem country, well not for us anyway (though I can hear many say otherwise!) so we lose the advantage (?) of 700c without actually using the advantages of 26". Of course loading is an issue but 700c wheels (48 spoke?) can be strong. As I said, I don't think there's much choice at this price range and Thorn is well regarded but this would push us into 26".