29-inch/700c vs 26" Fat vs Skinney?

All my bikes currently have 26" wheels.

One wheelset uses WTB Mutano Raptors, another uses 1.25" slicks.

After reading about the supposed wonders of "29-ers", I measured
my wheels at the tread.

The fat ones are 27".

The slicks are only 25".


Seems to me that if I were building that second wheelset again -
the one more-or-less dedicated to skinny tires - I should use a
700c or "29-er" rim in order to get closer to the same actual
tread diameter of both sets of wheels.


Am I missing something here?


My secret agenda is that I'm currently obsessing on ordering a
'cross frame - tb used as an all-around bike - and I'm thinking
maybe I can work off some of my enthusiasm by converting my 26"
skinny wheelset to 700c - or 29, just to see how they work on my
hard tail.

Comments?
--
PeteCresswell

I've built up a pair of wheels using 700C rims and MTB disc hubs to put in
my Rockhopper - I have Schwalbe Marathons on and so far I like it.
I am using 26/38/48 chainset to give a bit more speed on hard surfaces. Its
great on road or off-road so long as it isn't too technical or deep mud.
I suppose the best bits are it feels as responsive as a road bike, but I've
got the control of a mountain bike with the stopping power of disc brakes,
and the gearing to spin up the steepest roads if I want.
Haven't measured the actual diameter but the circumference is almost
identical to my full sus with 2.5inch Michelins
Hope this helps,
Simon

"(PeteCresswell)" wrote in message
...
All my bikes currently have 26" wheels.

One wheelset uses WTB Mutano Raptors, another uses 1.25" slicks.

After reading about the supposed wonders of "29-ers", I measured
my wheels at the tread.

The fat ones are 27".

The slicks are only 25".


Seems to me that if I were building that second wheelset again -
the one more-or-less dedicated to skinny tires - I should use a
700c or "29-er" rim in order to get closer to the same actual
tread diameter of both sets of wheels.


Am I missing something here?


My secret agenda is that I'm currently obsessing on ordering a
'cross frame - tb used as an all-around bike - and I'm thinking
maybe I can work off some of my enthusiasm by converting my 26"
skinny wheelset to 700c - or 29, just to see how they work on my
hard tail.

Comments?
--
PeteCresswell

rPer Twohat:
I suppose the best bits are it feels as responsive as a road bike, but I've
got the control of a mountain bike with the stopping power of disc brakes,
and the gearing to spin up the steepest roads if I want.
Haven't measured the actual diameter but the circumference is almost
identical to my full sus with 2.5inch Michelins
Hope this helps,

Yes, that helps..... I think I'm going ahead with this.

Only remaining question in my mind: 700c or 29'er rims.

Anybody know which rim has the greater diameter?

I've measured 700c's and it looks to me like a 700c with a slick
on it would approximate my 26" WTB Mutano Raptors.

But there aren't any 29-ers around here to measure.

I'm guessing that more MTB-ish rim strength would be available in
a 29-er. True?
--
PeteCresswell

(PeteCresswell) wrote:
rPer Twohat:
I suppose the best bits are it feels as responsive as a road bike, but I've
got the control of a mountain bike with the stopping power of disc brakes,
and the gearing to spin up the steepest roads if I want.
Haven't measured the actual diameter but the circumference is almost
identical to my full sus with 2.5inch Michelins
Hope this helps,

Yes, that helps..... I think I'm going ahead with this.

Only remaining question in my mind: 700c or 29'er rims.

Anybody know which rim has the greater diameter?

I've measured 700c's and it looks to me like a 700c with a slick
on it would approximate my 26" WTB Mutano Raptors.

But there aren't any 29-ers around here to measure.

I'm guessing that more MTB-ish rim strength would be available in
a 29-er. True?

My understanding is that both "700C" and "29-inch" are both ISO 622-mm,
which, lo and behold, has a bead seat diameter of 622-mm.

The only difference is that rims marketed as 700C are likely to be
narrower and intended for road and hybrid bikes, while rims marketed as
29-inch are likely to be wider and intended for off-road use.

If everyone would use the sensible ISO system exclusively, much
confusion would be avoided.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
“Mary had a little lamb / And when she saw it sicken /
She shipped it off to Packingtown / And now it’s labeled chicken.”