700c 32 tires vs 26-inch

[tulip]

Catrin, I have not been following your Bike Search Epic...so can you remind me what kind of riding you intend to do with your new bike?

You really cannot go wrong with either bike, assuming the fit is good.

[Catrin]

Well one thing to consider is that if you end up with one bike that takes 700C tires, and another with 26" you have to double your inventory of spare tires and tubes and keep track of them. That reason alone makes me want to standardize on 700C. Never a chance of grabbing the wrong size tube to stuff in my bag only to find out later when you have a flat that the tube is the wrong size.

This would happen anyway due to the size difference between my Trek and the Jamis (should I go that route) - though that is a good point.

Catrin, I have not been following your Bike Search Epic...so can you remind me what kind of riding you intend to do with your new bike?

You really cannot go wrong with either bike, assuming the fit is good.

It does kind of feel like an epic search I am certainly learning more about bikes and what I want in this process. I greatly appreciate everyone's advice! I imposed a 3-week waiting period on myself, to force myself to examine my options. Next week I finally get to order my new touring bike!

I need versatility - a bike that I can take touring, and also handle mountains/fire roads/and commuting when I feel like it. I pretty much settled on the Long Haul Trucker some time ago, but I wanted to really compare it with a similar bike before ordering it. I do like the Jamis as well.

I will work with the fitter at the LBS to help determine which of the two are the better fit - have given up on trying to test ride either of them. I would take the smallest size in either and no one seems to stock those sizes. Understandable.

[lunacycles]

Catrin,

Judging by the size of the pic of the bike on your avatar, I am assuming you are small. If I am assuming correctly, you will much more likely have a better fit on the bike with smaller diameter (26") wheels.

700 x 32c equals a large wheel diameter, quite a bit larger than even a standard 700c road wheel. Chances are, the frame will be designed to compensate for that larger wheel diameter, therefore putting a longer top tube on the frame, likely than any road bike they would make in that same size. This translates into a longer reach for the rider, which usually isn't a great thing for smaller riders. It also means a high front end height, which can be rather limiting for a shorter rider.
Surly got smart and started putting 26 inch wheels ( a smaller diameter wheel) on their smaller frames, so they didn't have to increase the bike's reach to accommodate the larger wheel. Therefore, it probably has a shorter top tube, and, chances are, that will work much better from a fit perspective for a smaller rider. Chances are, also, the front end height isn't as high, and, imo, if the reach is correct, this equals a better fit for the small of stature.

[Catrin]

Catrin,

Judging by the size of the pic of the bike on your avatar, I am assuming you are small. If I am assuming correctly, you will much more likely have a better fit on the bike with smaller diameter (26") wheels.

Thank you, this is what I have been trying to figure out. Zen said that Jamis has a different geometry and it may be that they found a way to get around that with the smaller sizes. Someone in the same thread also asked about geometry with the smaller sizes with the 700 wheels.

The bike in the pic is the smallest size that Trek makes available for the 7.6, it is the 15 inch and the reach is a little much. I have already had a fitting for that bike but am considering taking it to another shop to see what other options there might be for me (the stem is already quite short).

Thanks for your thoughts on this! I need to make sure that I get the one that fits me the best this time