24" wheels??

[newgirl]

anyone have any thoughts on riding on 24" wheels? I know alot of people run 26 and 24 but what about both - I was thinking it might help me out in berms and tight turns??? Just a thought as it was suggested to me....

[heckler's better 1/2]

I rode a 24 on the back for awhile (one year)...it helped me feel more confortable on the steeps but I switched back to the 26 as I didn't like climbing on the 24. Plus I felt I could go a little faster on the 26...not sure if the science backs that comment but I sure felt like I didn't have to pedal as much to go fast.

[cheryl@nsmb.com]

I rode dual 24s back in 2001 and l hated them! They were really really nasty in the rough stuff, they fall into every hole!

[SysCo.]

all 24" wheels do is bring you closer to the ground.
they dont increase anything..cept your acceleration.
they decrease everything else.
i have 3 sets im trying o get rid of.

[*GiMpY_jR*]

i want 24's for my hardtail...

[newgirl]

hmmm guess there's no shortcuts and I am just going to have to get more skilled!

[SuperKat]

I run a 24" rear on my VP Free. I get a lot of crap for it but it works for me and I like the feel.
Never tried dual 24's though...Sorry.

[Scoobydoo]

all depends on what type of bike you ride. I know a few guys that use them on their big hits. I have one on my super 8 and love it. It actually helps me climb better (smaller diameter to rotate) plus when I do jumps or drops my seat doesn't hit the tire.

[cheryl@nsmb.com]

Ya the big hit was designed originally around having a 24" rear wheel and the 26" wouldn't fit. However now Specialized is doing a 26" Bighit due to the overwhelming swing to not have 24" wheels on production bikes. If you are tall enough to run a 26" setup, have at er'. But if you are struggling with clearance a 24" rear is an option but I would definately warn against the 24" front.

[SIDESHOW]

there are no advantages to a 24 unless you are looking at standover, even then the 1" difference is not worth all the negatives.

for really heavy people sometimes they are stronger due to the smaller circle and shorter spokes.

NEWGIRL I am assuming you are not in the 200lb category....lol

[SysCo.]

i want 24's for my hardtail...


pm me, ive got sets of them just sitting round.

[NinjaEyes]

I used 26" for a year, and just recently put 24" on both front and back and I LOVE it. I think for someone who is just starting out, and is short it gives you a little more confidence. Its hard to go on a new technical trail and know that if you mess up you cant catch yourself by putting your feet down.

[SIDESHOW]

^^^^sorry but no way, if you have to put your feet down like that you should get off and walk.

[NinjaEyes]

I'm not saying I have to put my feet down, and if I do then ya I walk the trail. But it is a confidence issue. If you know you can touch if you need to, it helps alot. Im not sayign 24" is for everyone, but I switched and I love it. More personal preference. I know a few guys who have been running 24" front and back for yrs. They are the ones who told me to try it. Once I get better, and am doing more, I may go back to 26", but for now the 24 are great

[newgirl]

NEWGIRL I am assuming you are not in the 200lb category....lol

yeah you assume right - I am about 120pounds soaking wet. if that.

[Lady Gravity]

I used 26" for a year, and just recently put 24" on both front and back and I LOVE it. I think for someone who is just starting out, and is short it gives you a little more confidence. Its hard to go on a new technical trail and know that if you mess up you cant catch yourself by putting your feet down.

i agree, i used to ride with a girl that was only around 5' and had short legs and rode an xs bullit with 24" wheels, it suited her very well.

[Sparkplug]

For short legged riders like me the 24" rear wheel is a great way to go. I've still got the 24 on my bullit. It really helped me get comfortable with steeps... well with pretty much everything because I didn't feel like I was fighting the size of the bike. I still have a hard time finding bikes that don't feel too big but my Giant DH seems to work with the 26s. It's great once you get where you don't feel the need to touch the ground regularly!! Anyways, I'd highly recommend the 24 if it makes the bike feel more comfortable for you. It certainly won't hold you back... Good luck!

[Wayne P]

There's no need for 24" wheels. Its a marketing gimmick. Unless you're 4'9" you don't need 'em. I assume that you're using a frame that fits you? Well, if that's the case never buy a smaller set of wheels. Get used to the 26ers and you'll be garrantied a way better ride. Why are there zero pros riding 24's? There's your answer.

[Lady Gravity]

Why are there zero pros riding 24's? There's your answer.

yeah, because we all gotta do what the pros do :rolleyes:

bottom line - ride it, try it, if it works - great, if not, then go back to 26s

[SuperKat]

I would think a moderator would be a bit more understanding regarding a beginner's comfort level and how confidence is built.

[Sparkplug]

There's no need for 24" wheels. Its a marketing gimmick. Unless you're 4'9" you don't need 'em. I assume that you're using a frame that fits you? Well, if that's the case never buy a smaller set of wheels. Get used to the 26ers and you'll be garrantied a way better ride. Why are there zero pros riding 24's? There's your answer.


Until you have a 27" inseam and are learning to ride, you should reconsider your comment. It is not easy to find a frame that fits you at this size - that is why the 24" rear wheel gives you that little bit of extra standover. You probably understand that a big part of progressing on a mountain bike is mental. If one can gain confidence, then skills will snowball and then the rider may feel more comfortable on a bigger bike (with 26" rear wheel etc). Then the rider will also gain the advantages of having two 26s. But if you can't get over that hump then you're stuck feeling uncomfortable and not progressing because your bike feels like its in you way. It's a totally individual choice and both options call allow someone to become a great rider.

[newgirl]

I am 5' 5" so not tiny, but not tall. hmmm looks like its down to personal preference. I think I will stay with the 26ers firstly cos I am broke and don't want to fork out more cash, but also don't want to get used to running 24rs as I will not want to go to 26s after that...

[Fluid]

Hey newgirl,

I see that your original reason for asking about the 24" wheels was to do with helping you corner better. I can pass along some really great tips that I learned from Katrina Strand which will probably help you a great deal.
It's easier if I show them to you. I know you're a muddbunny, too, so maybe I can show you if we go out for a ride together sometime.
These tips have helped me tremendously. Now it's just a matter of making sure that I always apply them in every cornering situation I come across until it's really second nature for all kinds of corners.

[Wayne P]

Well like I said, if you're short, then they'll work. Plus, for arguments sake, there are frame manufacturers out there who'll make a frame that will fit you (Ie: Knolly). More importantly, 24" wheels will slow your learning rate and confidence level because they do not roll over rough terrain as easy, for everyone. That's not based on feel, but on fact.

...oh, I was a beginner once you know. ;) I think I can relate to starting out. I'd take advice from people who have been there, done that when I started out.

I knew the "pro" relation would get me in trouble. Using better designed equipment will help your riding, period. I see so many beginners (me too) with equipment that's holding them back or making the rider work more. This includes bike set up and the functionality of every part. It can be as simple as your brake lever set up that can hold you back.

When bike frame size and cockpit length are set for you (it fits), then putting a set of 24" wheels on there for off road use is taking a step back. Confidence comes more quickly the less you get off your bike. Standing over your bike in scary situations will never help your riding, but sometimes you've gotta do it.

[newgirl]

Fluid I would love that - anytime! thanks so much!

[SIDESHOW]

24" will not roll over braking bumps as smoothly as 26's.....and the easiest way to corner faster is too ride smoother........

wouldn't that tell us that we would corner faster on 26. Period.

would an xc rider ever run a smaller wheel?? I heard some even use 29ers??

Standover is really only an issue when you aren't on the pedals. So keep yer feet on the pedals, and ride your lines with confidence, and you will always ride better on 26's.

I like your friend Katrina, could help you to go mucho faster. You would never go back to 24's.

Do watchalike I guess. I'm with Wayne on this one.

[knollybikes.com]

Hey Newgirl:

At 5'5" tall, you should have no problem riding 26" wheels. You'll find that as Cory and Wayne have said, they will roll over terrain better and there is a FAR better selection of tires and rims available suitable for mountain biking.

In the Mountain biking world, 24" wheels were hot for a year or two in the late 1990s and into about 2000 and then that trend ended (at least for two 24" wheels - some people still ride a 24" rear wheel or have frames that were designed around a 24" rear wheel). I even had a 24" x 3.0" front wheel and a 24" x 2.6" rear wheel for a season (which looked quite silly because I'm 6'2" tall!). However, pretty much everyone has got back to 26" wheels.

24" wheels can certainly be an advantage for a really small rider. The reason for this is because it is very difficult to get the front end (i.e. handle bars) any lower than a certain height - especially with longer travel frames: the fork is always a fixed length and the shortest head tubes are typically around 4-4.5" long. So, even if you can shrink the rest of the bike down in size, you still end up with a front end that can be too tall for some small riders. A 24" front wheel can help drop that height down a bit. However, at 5'5" I would say that you should be able fit most 16" or "small" frames reasonably well. Once a riders height drops below 5'3" / 5'4" or shorter, it becomes MUCH more difficult to design a longer travel frame that can meet all of their needs.

My wife is 5'2" tall and here current 5" travel bike works great for her with dual 24" wheels. However, we're getting her a new 6"+ frame in the next few weeks and even with the higher BB height, I'm pretty sure we'll get her on 26" wheels.

Most frames are designed for 26" wheels: this means that they're going to handle better with 26" wheels. Having a low BB height is great for corning, but at a point it becomes too low and actually becomes a hindrence to pedal and impeeds your corning ability.

My suggestion would be to ensure that you have a frame with reasonably decent stand over height. Next, ensure that you have a frame without an interupted seat tube - or at least a frame that allows you to fully lower the seat so that the seat tube cradle is about 16" above the BB height. THIS is by far the most important stand over issue - can you get your seat down low enoug so you don't get caught by it and it is low enough that you can maneuver around the bike?

Cheers!

[Wayne P]

Like I said, Mr. Buckley makes THE sickest of the small frames on the market. You have to see how small they can be. That's an easy way to become a better rider with one of those bikes.

[myster chron]

mhmm, the contreversy.

lots of good info here. imo, if ur broke find sumbody u can trade rear wheels with for a ride or 2 or even a week and then u'll see y everybody and there dog is back on 26'rs.. leave the 24's for the cruiser class. its amazing how much easir it is to roll over stuff with that xtra 2 inches and how the small wheel almsot feels like ur dragging a boat anchor behind u when getting up to speed.
also as mentioned before, if u ride with confidence that ur not gonna do urself up sweet ull b amazed as to how much easir it is to roll stuff with a lil extra momentum compared to putting a foot down and walking. let the equipment do the work for you.

[mudhoney]

Plus, for arguments sake, there are frame manufacturers out there who'll make a frame that will fit you (Ie: Knolly).



I ride a XS Knolly V-Tach frame with a 24" rear (I'm 5'2" with short legs). With how the rear suspension was set up initially, a 26" wheel would hit the seat when the shock was compressed, so I've used the 24" from the start. I'm now running a different shock and it is set up differently and could now accommodate a 26", though I still run the 24" wheel. I don't believe that it holds me back in any aspect of my riding. I may move to a 26" wheel, but I'm not one for trying to "fix what ain't broke" :-)

pd