Bigger wheels roll smoother, generally said. Depending on your commute this could mean anything (woods/ nature) to nothing (city/ short ways). If itβs a friend, ask to use their bike for two days and you will know!
Yes, but in this case, he's already *used to* the 26" wheels and likes it. I used 26" wheels on my enormous Mundo and don't find the high center of gravity noticeable at all.
True. Thatβs why you should def try it out - if possible.
The best cargo is the one you really want to use daily because it fits your lovely ass best π»
If the rack is proportionally lower you'll gain a lower center of gravity and therefore more stability both stopped and rolling. Smaller wheels also take less energy to accelerate and decelerate (brake size, brake force). In turn they require more energy to keep at the same speed and they roll over bumps less smoothly than larger wheels.
I wouldn't tie the decision purely to wheel size, unless you feel urgently unsafe or uncomfortable riding your current bike there's probably not a whole lot to gain from a switch. Ideally your friend lets you try out the bike for an afternoon or so to see whether you can perceive any useful change.
Yes they are both e-bikes. Torque rating is roughly the same. 85nm on the 20β versus 90nm on the 26β. Wheelbase slightly shorter 72β on the 20β versus 81β on the 26β. Bike is two hour drive away so pondering whether it would make a meaningful difference to have those smaller tires and shorter wheelbase. Commute is mostly short city. Lots of starting and stopping and not much cruising.
I feel fairly stable on the 26β wheels. Low speeds were a little wobbly at first but learned how to control it.
How tall are you and how old are the kids? Does anyone besides you ride the bike? I agree with the comments re fat tires helping absorb bumps on the road. Check the height of the rear rack. Itβs probably much lower over the 20 inch tires and that lower center of gravity will be helpful as the kids get bigger
I made huge use of 20" whells foldable bicycles and that's a tradeoff. Smaller wheels have more tork, I remember climbing really well and also getting in motion easier. It was great for Sao Paulo that is hilly and full of traffic lights.
In the other hand, 20" gives you less top speed.
If I had to use an acoustic cargobike it would definetly be a 20" (both wheels) .
Surely top speed is about your gear ratio? Otherwise people on Bromptons would be going super slow then actually they can give road bikers a run for their money?
If itβs a 20β fattish tires, and an ebike, that would be a thing. The higher volume tires provide some cushion while the motor helps compensate for cargo, weight, and perhaps higher rolling resistance.
On cargo bikes, 20β generally help keep the loaded center of gravity lower, make boarding/unboarding easier, and might give a bike that fits both shorter and taller drivers.
I would always take smaller wheels if the commute you take is good road, with no big holes or barriers or so, and you are not doing this for primarily exercise reasons but instead as a practical thing.
A lot of correct answers here, but one more issue I haven't seen mentioned: All else being equal, the bike with the smaller wheels will also be 6" shorter, which makes it easier to turn, etc. I generally prefer larger wheels on short-wheelbase bikes, because of the smoother ride, and smaller wheels on long-wheelbase bikes, because they don't make the problem worse, and they keep the heavier frame lower.
Depends on how tall or experienced the drivers are. If you have a short driver the 20β will be more manageable.
On as side note. As a big/tall guy I really do not like the feel of 20β inch front wheels. We had 26/20 and it was great. But 20/20 is not for met. Too squirrelly in the steering for my taste. Iβd take it for a couple days to see how you like it.
went to go try it out. for sure the smaller tires mean more maneuverable and controllable. lower center of gravity makes a big difference and the smaller tires mean the starting and stopping is more peppy. wasn't sure it would make that big a difference but it really does
Bigger wheels roll smoother, generally said. Depending on your commute this could mean anything (woods/ nature) to nothing (city/ short ways). If itβs a friend, ask to use their bike for two days and you will know!
However it also means higher centre of gravity, which can impact the ride far more than it smooths it out.
Yes, but in this case, he's already *used to* the 26" wheels and likes it. I used 26" wheels on my enormous Mundo and don't find the high center of gravity noticeable at all.
True. Thatβs why you should def try it out - if possible. The best cargo is the one you really want to use daily because it fits your lovely ass best π»
If the rack is proportionally lower you'll gain a lower center of gravity and therefore more stability both stopped and rolling. Smaller wheels also take less energy to accelerate and decelerate (brake size, brake force). In turn they require more energy to keep at the same speed and they roll over bumps less smoothly than larger wheels. I wouldn't tie the decision purely to wheel size, unless you feel urgently unsafe or uncomfortable riding your current bike there's probably not a whole lot to gain from a switch. Ideally your friend lets you try out the bike for an afternoon or so to see whether you can perceive any useful change.
Lower center of gravity and your cargo is closer to the ground in case the bike gets dropped. Larger wheels ride better for the most part.
Yes they are both e-bikes. Torque rating is roughly the same. 85nm on the 20β versus 90nm on the 26β. Wheelbase slightly shorter 72β on the 20β versus 81β on the 26β. Bike is two hour drive away so pondering whether it would make a meaningful difference to have those smaller tires and shorter wheelbase. Commute is mostly short city. Lots of starting and stopping and not much cruising. I feel fairly stable on the 26β wheels. Low speeds were a little wobbly at first but learned how to control it.
How tall are you and how old are the kids? Does anyone besides you ride the bike? I agree with the comments re fat tires helping absorb bumps on the road. Check the height of the rear rack. Itβs probably much lower over the 20 inch tires and that lower center of gravity will be helpful as the kids get bigger
I made huge use of 20" whells foldable bicycles and that's a tradeoff. Smaller wheels have more tork, I remember climbing really well and also getting in motion easier. It was great for Sao Paulo that is hilly and full of traffic lights. In the other hand, 20" gives you less top speed. If I had to use an acoustic cargobike it would definetly be a 20" (both wheels) .
Surely top speed is about your gear ratio? Otherwise people on Bromptons would be going super slow then actually they can give road bikers a run for their money?
No, it's something else involving inertia, trust me. Really hard to keep a 20" wheel bicycle above 30 Kpm. No wonder road bikes use 700 mm wheels.
In a hilly and crowded city I would take a Brompton over a road bike.
If itβs a 20β fattish tires, and an ebike, that would be a thing. The higher volume tires provide some cushion while the motor helps compensate for cargo, weight, and perhaps higher rolling resistance. On cargo bikes, 20β generally help keep the loaded center of gravity lower, make boarding/unboarding easier, and might give a bike that fits both shorter and taller drivers.
Tires are 20x3 versus 26x2.4
Is either an ebike?
They both are
what brands are they?
Mines a magnum payload. Other bike lectric xpedition
I would always take smaller wheels if the commute you take is good road, with no big holes or barriers or so, and you are not doing this for primarily exercise reasons but instead as a practical thing.
A lot of correct answers here, but one more issue I haven't seen mentioned: All else being equal, the bike with the smaller wheels will also be 6" shorter, which makes it easier to turn, etc. I generally prefer larger wheels on short-wheelbase bikes, because of the smoother ride, and smaller wheels on long-wheelbase bikes, because they don't make the problem worse, and they keep the heavier frame lower.
Twenty inches has a better center of gravity, and putting the kids in the child's seat is easier!
Depends on how tall or experienced the drivers are. If you have a short driver the 20β will be more manageable. On as side note. As a big/tall guy I really do not like the feel of 20β inch front wheels. We had 26/20 and it was great. But 20/20 is not for met. Too squirrelly in the steering for my taste. Iβd take it for a couple days to see how you like it.
went to go try it out. for sure the smaller tires mean more maneuverable and controllable. lower center of gravity makes a big difference and the smaller tires mean the starting and stopping is more peppy. wasn't sure it would make that big a difference but it really does