700c vs 26"

[KneesUp]

I have two very similar frames at home. I'm using one that was sold as a flat-bar 'hybrid' that runs 700c wheels - although I've converted it to drop-bar. I am considering swapping all the components to the other frame which takes 26" wheels and was sold as a mountain bike - but at a time before suspension so it's geometry is similar to the 'hybrid' which might even have been called a 29er had it not been sold in 1990-odd.

It strikes me (having ridden the MTB for the first time in a few weeks yesterday) that 26" wheels would be better suited to the sort of riding I do - commuting on British back roads and riding cycle paths - because they're sturdier, more comfortable and they weigh less, which is good if you have to keep starting and stopping.

The more I think about it, the more I think that 26" wheels are probably better than 700c wheels - as I've said they're stronger and lighter - and as wider tyres have lower rolling resistance I reckon my old MTB frame on slicks with my drop bar bits will be comfy, bomb-proof and, if not quick, then not necessarily slow. The MTB frame is better quality than the hybrid, so it may even be lighter.

Just wondered what anyone else thinks? I presume the rules for cycle races specify 700c wheels, but if you were starting from a blank slate with no preconceptions, what argument would there be for choosing the heavier and more delicate 700c wheel over 26"?

 

[Colin_P]

I prefer a hybrid on 700c's to an MTB on 26"s. For me they ride better everywhere, the only exception being where it is really really muddy. But that is just me and I'm not a serious or hardcore cyclist in any environment. A hybrid with 700's just works better more of the time.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

My commute is cruddy road/country park trail type thing, its do able on 700c's without great drama but my thinking is much like yours & my bombproof commuter of choice right now is an old Trek 800 frame (a 26er if you like ) on slick tyres & geared to make it a bit more nippy. I'm totally happy with it have more options for a bit further off road if I fancy taking a detour home than the 700c. Son 1 has my hybrid stashed away as his 'car won't start' bike at his house now

For less than £50 it also has a spare wheelset on knobblies in the shed for when I fancy a bit more mud plugging or the snow & slush arrives.

 

[Colin_P]

Sounds like you have it sorted. It is all down to how you want it and what you like.

Your bike quotient then must 2+1, where 2=N ?

Mine is 5+1 where 5=N = Lots of choice and it makes me feel like the Ambassador at a 1980's Ferrero Roche reception, spoilt.


edit, N is actually 5, not 4

 

[Geoff Crowther]

I'm just getting used to, and loving, my Thorn Sherpa, an "adventure" tourer. I'm bound to justify it cos it cost me lots ... but, the serious point is, it has 26" wheels and I've got 2" wide tyres on there; no suspension. It feels really nice on crappy road surfaces, not to mention trails, cos you get a simple suspension effect with the fat(ish) low pressure tyres (50/55psi) tyres. As I understand it, I don't think you can get 2" wide tyres in 700c but I could be wrong.
Only my two pennorth but that effect might affect your decision.

 

[MacB]

I'm just getting used to, and loving, my Thorn Sherpa, an "adventure" tourer. I'm bound to justify it cos it cost me lots ... but, the serious point is, it has 26" wheels and I've got 2" wide tyres on there; no suspension. It feels really nice on crappy road surfaces, not to mention trails, cos you get a simple suspension effect with the fat(ish) low pressure tyres (50/55psi) tyres. As I understand it, I don't think you can get 2" wide tyres in 700c but I could be wrong.
Only my two pennorth but that effect might affect your decision.

Geoff, 700c/28"/29er are all the same size and tyres go from up to 700x76 or 29x3" that I'm aware of but obviously you need a frame that can accommodate them.

 

[KneesUp]

I'm just getting used to, and loving, my Thorn Sherpa, an "adventure" tourer. I'm bound to justify it cos it cost me lots ... but, the serious point is, it has 26" wheels and I've got 2" wide tyres on there; no suspension. It feels really nice on crappy road surfaces, not to mention trails, cos you get a simple suspension effect with the fat(ish) low pressure tyres (50/55psi) tyres. As I understand it, I don't think you can get 2" wide tyres in 700c but I could be wrong.
Only my two pennorth but that effect might affect your decision.

I've got 700 x 37s on my bike at the moment. There is no doubt that the 2.2" tyres on the other bike are more comfortable, although they are knobblies, so they are noisy and don't roll that well. You can get 700C tyres as wide as 26" now - although they are called 29 inch when they are fat and knobbly, because bike tyre naming is deliberately confusing

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Yeah, understood. Re your "noisy and don't roll well", mine are Schwalbe Marathon Mondiales. Heavy, but not noisy. So far, I've found 'em fine on trail AND road; rode 43 miles on 2 consecutive days on last week's overnight trip. But I still consider myself a newbie at cycling so could be talking b*ll*cks .
Good luck with your decision - do whatever you feel happiest with.

 

[KneesUp]

Yeah, understood. Re your "noisy and don't roll well", mine are Schwalbe Marathon Mondiales. Heavy, but not noisy. So far, I've found 'em fine on trail AND road; rode 43 miles on 2 consecutive days on last week's overnight trip. But I still consider myself a newbie at cycling so could be talking b*ll*cks .
Good luck with your decision - do whatever you feel happiest with.

I like messing about with spanners so I might swap it all over to try it - the most it will cost is some new cabling and some time. Plus slicker tyres for the MTB wheels, but the ones on it are knackered anyway. I noticed the other day (once I'd got where I was going but not back) that there is a bit bulge in the sidewall of the rear one.

 

[raleighnut]

A lot of hybrids will not accept tyres that are too wide, the practical limit on my Ridgeback is 37.

 

[KneesUp]

My 'hybrid' will take 50mm tyres at least. But tyres that wide in 700c must be heavy?

I've stripped my '26er' tonight ready for a parts swop. The frame (plus headset cups) is 3kg which is about the same as the 'hybrid' (3.6kg inc BB iirc)

An old school mtb with drops just looks cool to me. Maybe that's the appeal

 

[Stantheman]

A work mate I ride with has an oldish cannonade mtb with drops on, he has taken it on tours including Morroco and we often do rides up to 55 mile together, me on a giant revel which will next year be converted to ridged forks and maybe drops.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

With 26" wheels on that bike the BB will be too low to the ground and you will have your cranks touch even minor obstacles.

 

[KneesUp]

The picture is of the 26" bike, with 26" wheels. (and a spare stem and drop bars on it temporarily) It's from 1990 - that's how they made them then I've swapped a few bits now - it just needs the chain, cranks, brakes and rear derailleur moving across now. And new tyres.

EDIT - just needs brakes adjusting, a few links taking out of the chain and the tyres.