Bike Wheel Size Explained

Mtb wheel sizes guide.

Bike wheel size explained. Mountain bike wheels are described by the approximate outer diameter of the rim plus a wide 2 inch tire. Sometimes very small adult road bike frames will use a smaller wheel size like 650b but it s more common even for small frames to use 700c wheels. Most rims are aluminium and generally cost less but carbon rims while expensive are both stiff and light both great attributes. There are two smaller common sizes often used for mountain bikes.

At 5 6 you re not quite in that very small frame category and it s completely reasonable for a frame suited to your height to use 700c. Tyres of the same size may come with lots of different markings. By comparing this dimension you can see if the brakes will reach when a different size of rim is fitted to your bike. Although they re familiar they can be very confusing.

Measuring bike frame size by height could never be easier. Sure the drivetrain will push you along and the frame will also have a significant impact on ride quality but the wheels are the first element of the bike to feel road vibrations surface imperfections and changes in terrain. 650b 584mm rim diameter and 26inch 559mm rim diameter. When it comes to choosing width there are two major factors at play.

The wheels on your bike literally keep you moving and have a considerable impact on your ride quality. But basically there are only 3 common wheel sizes which you can consider as large 622mm rim diameter medium 584mm and small 559mm. 24 inch clincher tires with inner tubes are the most common wheel size for junior mountain bikes. Mountain bikes also have a large 622mm version confusingly known as a 29er.

Remember also to check your wheel size wheels are available in 26 27 5 650b or 29 make sure you get the size compatible with your frame. The letter at the end of a tire size is a throwback to an old french system when the letters a b and c designated different inner tire diameters it does not stand for cm. 650 and 29 explained it seems like there has been an explosion of new mtb wheel sizes over the past few years and it s true. Your height is used to match bike frame size along with inseam size.

Road bike tires generally come in three widths. One of the most important traits of a wheelset is its role in. Imperial metric and american. The typical 24 inch rim has a diameter of 507 millimetres 20 0 in and an outside tire diameter of about 24 inches 610 mm.

24 inch iso 507 mm. Sometimes you can t find any iso size on a tyre only the old school markings. In terms of mountain bike wheels 650b is a standard 27 5 wheel and 700c is a standard 29 wheel. Mtb wheels are either made of aluminium or carbon.

Simply stand up straight against a wall shoes off legs together shoulders back whilst somebody marks with a pencil the top of your head. These size labels come from an old french sizing standard which we ll cover in more detail in the french sizing section. Switching from 630 to 622 for example needs another 4mm of brake reach. Where once we only had the humble 26 wheel now we have 650b 27 5 for us old timers 650b 29 and 29.