What Difference Does Wheel Size Actually Make ?

[Eddyboy123]

i have watched the tarty video but still cant decide on wheel size because then say that 20" is best for beginners but 26" is good for people coming from mountain biking and i am both of them.

so what difference does the wheel size actually make in terms of riding and technique and difficulty to learn ?

[davey1991]

20" bikes are obviously alot smaller, they can also be alot more flicky and easier to throw around.

The parts tend to be cheaper and 20" wheels/ forks are harder to break purely because of the size.

26" bikes are bigger, and people tend to progress onto them.

The best thing to do is to ride someone elses bike, both mod and stock and decide which you prefer.

If you don't know anyone who rides then its gonna have to be what you prefer the look of.

Coming from MTB 26 or 24" bikes will probably feel more familiar, but 20" bikes may be easier to learn on.

I know its not very clear, but its hard to be clear on something thats almost totally personal preferance.

[Eddyboy123]

20" bikes are obviously alot smaller, they can also be alot more flicky and easier to throw around.

The parts tend to be cheaper and 20" wheels/ forks are harder to break purely because of the size.

26" bikes are bigger, and people tend to progress onto them.

The best thing to do is to ride someone elses bike, both mod and stock and decide which you prefer.

If you don't know anyone who rides then its gonna have to be what you prefer the look of.

Coming from MTB 26 or 24" bikes will probably feel more familiar, but 20" bikes may be easier to learn on.

I know its not very clear, but its hard to be clear on something thats almost totally personal preferance.

half the problem is that i own both a 20" bmx and a 26" mountain bike so im not quite sure.

i prefer the geo of my mtb as i prefer to ride it but i know that it will be different for a trials bike.

do you think any stores selling different sizes would mind if i tried them out ?

[davey1991]

half the problem is that i own both a 20" bmx and a 26" mountain bike so im not quite sure.

i prefer the geo of my mtb as i prefer to ride it but i know that it will be different for a trials bike.

do you think any stores selling different sizes would mind if i tried them out ?

If they mind you trying the bikes before you buy them I wouldn't concider buying from them.

As i said before its all up to you and how you feel on the bike.

If there is a shope local to you with both sized go and try them out, it will be quickly apparent.

[Eddyboy123]

If they mind you trying the bikes before you buy them I wouldn't concider buying from them.

As i said before its all up to you and how you feel on the bike.

If there is a shope local to you with both sized go and try them out, it will be quickly apparent.

there is a shop a couple of miles away i think so i will try and get down there in the week as it is half term so i have no school

thanks for all your help much appreciated

[davey1991]

there is a shop a couple of miles away i think so i will try and get down there in the week as it is half term so i have no school

thanks for all your help much appreciated

No problem happy to help, hope to see some riding pictures soon.

Davey.

[rupintart]

Cut/Pasted from another post I made:

My personal take on things (which many may not agree with)

20 - you like to do a lot of static things like gaps and sidehops...pretty much things from a standstill. Easier to throw around on natty because of size and weight, but you also get the disadvantage of a smaller wheel on the natty not rolling as easy.

26 - Feels more like a regular bike, but not. Better for rolling things where you can really take advantage of the large wheel size like taps, etc. You can be a bit more sloppy on the stock and not pay for it (taps really suck the ass on a mod). Going big seems like it take a bit more effort from static, but rolling things like pedal-ups, etc seem to work out a little better.

24 - I don't think there are enough geometry differences/choices on the 24market to really categorize it as anything other than streety spinny BMX type stuff.

Obviously, you can do anything on any bike, street on a mod, streety stuff on a stock, pure trials on a 24 etc, but that's what I've found personally each "size" does.

[Eddyboy123]

Cut/Pasted from another post I made:

My personal take on things (which many may not agree with)

20 - you like to do a lot of static things like gaps and sidehops...pretty much things from a standstill. Easier to throw around on natty because of size and weight, but you also get the disadvantage of a smaller wheel on the natty not rolling as easy.

26 - Feels more like a regular bike, but not. Better for rolling things where you can really take advantage of the large wheel size like taps, etc. You can be a bit more sloppy on the stock and not pay for it (taps really suck the ass on a mod). Going big seems like it take a bit more effort from static, but rolling things like pedal-ups, etc seem to work out a little better.

24 - I don't think there are enough geometry differences/choices on the 24market to really categorize it as anything other than streety spinny BMX type stuff.

Obviously, you can do anything on any bike, street on a mod, streety stuff on a stock, pure trials on a 24 etc, but that's what I've found personally each "size" does.

thanks for that.

really appreciate it

i think im swinging towards stock bikes from what ive heard but will try and have a go on both and then see what i want

[leotrialp]

i have watched the tarty video but still cant decide on wheel size because then say that 20" is best for beginners but 26" is good for people coming from mountain biking and i am both of them.

so what difference does the wheel size actually make in terms of riding and technique and difficulty to learn ?

I ride both, and I can tell you, than in a 20, you can learn faster and better, and in a 26, you will learn a bit slower, but, when you get it, is very good.

If the wheel is smaller, and the chainstays are accord to the wheel size, it will be more controlable, but the 26 is more "stable" in thin surfaces, and is more technical, I think.

I hope than it help you.

[jof]

i have watched the tarty video but still cant decide on wheel size because then say that 20" is best for beginners but 26" is good for people coming from mountain biking and i am both of them.

so what difference does the wheel size actually make in terms of riding and technique and difficulty to learn ?

I started as a complete beginner I would say that starting on a 20" was a good start I learnt to do the basics very quick and found it easier to go on to a 26"

I was also informed that 26" was more for street were as 20" is for actual trials.

Edited February 14, 2010 by jof

[leotrialp]

I started as a complete beginner I would say that starting on a 20" was a good start I learnt to do the basics very quick and found it easier to go on to a 26"

Exactly the same than I think and what I experienced!