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Wheel
Size
Larger wheels such as the 26” or 27” are used
in bike races, road riding and mountain biking because they
can increase speed with less work than smaller wheels. Larger
wheels also do better in turning corners because they have
longer contact with the pavement and therefore hug the road
better without slipping.
Neither the 26”
or the 27” is better than the other. Each has its
advantages and disadvantages. What it really comes down
to is the comfortability of the rider on the bike. The 26”
is generally used for shorter persons where as the 27”
is generally used for taller persons. One advantage of the
26” is that with smaller size comes less weight and
better acceleration. Riding at a constant speed, though,
the two are equally good.
Smaller wheels
such as the 8”, 12”, 16” and 20”
are not as stable as larger wheels, but they allow for better
maneuverability. Any combination of two sizes can increase
control and/or speed. Small wheels and even small wheel-large
wheel combinations have been shown to ride as well as a
bike with larger wheels, but on paved terrain.
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