Wheels were an invention without which human civilization would not have developed. Currently, the bicycle industry is increasingly interested in wheel size – numerous experiments have been conducted in recent years. Popular bicycle wheel sizes (excluding children's wheels) are 26", 27.5", 28", and 29". This variety can be dizzying for some, so I'll try to explain everything in detail. Just like frame size , it's worth choosing a wheel that suits your height and needs to enjoy a comfortable ride. 26 " wheels have a rim diameter of 559 mm and are relatively small compared to the others. 27.5" wheels have a diameter of 585 mm, while 28" and 29" wheels have a diameter of 622 mm, as shown in the table below. Many people will notice that 28" and 29" wheels have a common size – yes, that's true. These wheels, at least theoretically, differ only in tire size—smaller for trekking and road bikes, larger for MTBs. In practice, however, rim diameter isn't everything—its width, lacing method, and profile are also important. You can't fit a 29er tire on a narrow road wheel, and vice versa—a 23c tire on downhill rims wouldn't be a good idea.
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Bicycle wheel size - table
These are the most popular modern bicycle wheel standards.
| Size in inches | Rim diameter |
| 26” 27.5” 28” 29” | 559 mm 585 mm 622 mm 622 mm |
Bicycle wheel sizes and height
It all depends on where we want to ride our bike. Will it be in the forest, on the street, on mixed terrain, or perhaps we plan to ride in the mountains? A lot also depends on the individual characteristics of the cyclist, as well as the price we're willing to spend on our bike. It's also worth mentioning bicycle manufacturers here – a particular manufacturer might not offer the wheel size we're looking for.
We install 28-inch wheels on all our bikes .What size wheels for a bicycle?
Since the 1990s, the most popular wheel size has been the 26-inch. This size is no longer found on adult bikes. These wheels are, however, beginning to be used on children's bikes with a lower frame. Moving away from the "one-size-fits-all" idea, more and more companies are adapting wheel sizes to the rider's height, so children are getting bikes with 26-inch wheels, while adults can choose from three further variants. The first is 28-inch wheels, designed for those who enjoy fast riding on hard surfaces. Trekking and cross bikes have large wheels that are quite narrow, allowing you to cover long distances while losing as little energy as possible. These bikes are designed for riding in built-up areas, forests, and parks. Road bikes have the same wheel size, which must be fast and lightweight. We also created a separate article about wheels on women's bikes. You can find it here.
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27.5"? or 29"?
The problem arises when we have to choose between 27.5" and 29". These are typical MTB wheel sizes. They absorb bumps much better and are more forgiving compared to traditional 26". There's no clear answer here, as everyone will prefer something different. With a mountain bike, we face a real dilemma – we have to choose between two different sizes with different properties. When on the trail and wanting to overcome an obstacle, we need to reduce the angle of attack, and in this case, the larger wheel performs better, but when it comes to acceleration, the smaller wheel wins. On the other hand, it also decelerates faster. A bike with 29" wheels retains momentum much better, thus providing better riding efficiency. It has been proven that larger wheels lose less speed when overcoming obstacles and regain contact with the ground faster. When it comes to control, there are two schools of thought: one says 27.5" wheels provide better control thanks to increased stiffness and improved frame geometry, while the other believes that the larger tire-to-ground contact patch improves the bike's stability on climbs and turns. 27.5" wheels are perfect for smaller riders, where larger wheels will be more of a hindrance than a help. It's also important to remember that wheel size is only one factor influencing ride comfort. For most amateurs and racers interested in a classic XC bike, a 29" will undoubtedly be the best choice. I consider 27.5" wheels a solution for shorter riders and those looking for a bike for more specific uses and who understand the specific advantages of a smaller wheel.
Gravel wheel size
Gravel bikes are derived directly from road bikes, so they typically use 28-inch wheels regardless of frame size. Tires are typically around 700x40c. However, many models (including ours ) can be fitted with 27.5-inch wheels. What does this mean? Well, it allows you to fit balloon tires, which translates into a more comfortable off-road ride and better traction in mud and loose surfaces. In short, the question of wheel size is quite complicated. I think everyone should ask themselves what they need and, if possible, test ride the bike before buying. It's crucial to feel comfortable on the bike and be sure it will meet all your needs! However, we offer all bikes with 28-inch wheels.
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