Why the hell do we need another wheel size?

Anonymous

Steve Worland gets a handle on Pacenti’s 650B mission...

Marjory Stewart BAxtor

grr

new standards annoy me.

KonaMike

This is getting a bit daft now ! I'm very happy with 26 inches thank you

ratty2k

Does it matter that much? I ride both a 29er (on-one) and a 26" full sus (Trek Liquid thats due for replacement), what with the new BB "standard" looking more immenent and then there's the new 15mm "maxle lite" its hard to keep up with the changes, but change can be good. Means things aren't staying static and keep moving forward.

papasmurf.

Nice looking bit of kit that bike though

Thewaylander

i think all these wheel sizes is sillly, nothing wrong with good old 26"

ratty2k

And 26" is the right size because?

dennisn

Just an opinion, but "why?", so the component makers can sell you more stuff. That's
what they are in business for. Generally all they have to do is come up with "the next
great thing", put out some ad hype about it, you know, lightweight, can't win without
it, and bingo people buy into it. Happens all the time.

dennis noward

supersonic

We have different sized frames. And forks, stems, bars, seatposts, saddles, crank lengths, chainrings, cassettes. And saddles, brake levers, tyres etc etc, all stuff to tailor the ride to ourselves. So why not wheels? Just another option folks.

stumpyjon

And 26" is the right size because?

Because it is the current standard for most bikes and has been a good compromise for most riders over the years.

I suppose at the end of the day we, the riders will decide what the right size is by our buying habits. If 29" really is that much better over time people will migrate and they will become the norm. The proliferation of standards does making upgrading and replacements a complex and expensive business though.

Sickbed

There isn't a 'standard' frame size. Why should there be a 'standard' wheel size? As has been pointed out, a 26in wheel is a good compromise, just like an 18in frame is a good compromise?

FSR_XC

24" on kids bikes

26" on all mtb bikes????

I can see the advantages of possibly increasing the wheel size in relation to the frame size.

However surely by keeping the same tyre width (for grip reasons etc), increasing the wheel size will make it slower steering??

supersonic

You can offset steering response by altering fork rake/frame angles.

rob cole

There isn't a 'standard' frame size. Why should there be a 'standard' wheel size? As has been pointed out, a 26in wheel is a good compromise, just like an 18in frame is a good compromise?

we are not talking about frame sizing here, but wheel sizing standards

if you take a Specialized Hardrock frame in XS,S,M,L or XL, each works fine with 26" wheels

this is also true for any current mountain bike (not 29er or dirt jump 24")

the problem with changing wheel sizes to another new standard is getting hold of spare rims, tires, inner tubes and suitable length spokes when you are either building up a new bike or doing maintenance, and whether you need specific frames and suspension forks (i.e. 29er) to work with the new wheel size

supersonic

Spares at the moment may be hard to come by as its a new idea. But that will change if people test these bikes, like them, and demand them.

ratty2k

rob cole wrote:

the problem with changing wheel sizes to another new standard is getting hold of spare rims, tires, inner tubes and suitable length spokes when you are either building up a new bike or doing maintenance, and whether you need specific frames and suspension forks (i.e. 29er) to work with the new wheel size

Strange how I managed to buy, from the comfort of my office desk a brand new pair of tyres in 29"..... And as for tubes, yep got them too and the rims I bought.
The biggest problem at the moment is 29er forks, but seeing as Manitou now make one, Rockshox make one (with a new reba coming soon (ish)) Fox make them.... not really an issue.
29" wont become a "standard" it will run alongside the 26" wheeled bikes. And with the likes of the Lenz Leviathan 29er then people will see that they aren't just XC bikes.... different stroke for different folks, I ride both types and feel equally as happy on each.
The 29er has been used up in the peaks, at trail centre's etc...
and here's a pic of it on the Cutgate route in the Peaks....