I'm tempted to try a 32er
The only uncool bike is an unridden bike!!
this post was submitted on 27 Jun 2026
93 points (98.9% liked)
Bicycles
6054 readers
1 users here now
Welcome to !bicycles@lemmy.ca
A place to share our love of all things with two wheels and pedals. This is an inclusive, non-judgemental community. All types of cyclists are accepted here; whether you're a commuter, a roadie, a MTB enthusiast, a fixie freak, a crusty xbiking hoarder, in the middle of an epic across-the-world bicycle tour, or any other type of cyclist!
Community Rules
-
No bigotry - including racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, or xenophobia.
-
Be respectful. Everyone should feel welcome here.
-
No porn.
-
No ads / spamming.
-
Ride bikes
Other cycling-related communities
founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
Or a broken one ;)
I mean, at least both unridden bikes and broken ones have great potential, if cared for!
Depends on how it was broken:
Epic downhill crash? Cool broken bike.
Ran over by grandma? Lame broken bike.
All bikes are cool, this one too
Thanks!
Is there an anti-26 sentiment that i don't know about?
Just a lot of bike brands don't have any 26ers anymore.
That’s to do with the changes in modern geometry. 27.5 and to an even more extent 29 are much smoother rolling than a 26 because the larger contact patch lets you roll over larger holes and bumps. 26s are still great but nowadays are used more for pump track or trick bikes since they tend to be lighter and more maneuverable.
Just the bike industry trying to convince everyone you need something new and special like "all you friends from downhilling". Money making is the aim. I would stick with 26ers.
Anyone who has ridden a larger wheelbase can tell you you’re wrong. 27.5 and 29 are much smoother than 26 because of physics. Smaller wheel size falls into holes easier and you feel every bump.
Hell there are even 32 and 36 for taller riders starting to show up and some enduro riders have considered swapping to 32 for the added smoothness.
The penny farthing is coming back.
Sure, going to put 32" on my city cargo bike haha. Smoother rides can also be achieved with more rubber like a higher tyre. Doesn't it?
For sure but you’ll often run into issues putting wider tires on. Most frames only accept a narrow range of widths. I ride a 27.5 with 2.8” tires which makes the outside diameter just about the same as a 29x2.3” but with more cushion. My old bones can’t handle the impact from a bad rim hit any more.
my 26er turned 22 this year. it’s quite similar to yours. and it’s still amazing, the power transmission is just neat for my body, i get good acceleration, awesome control and smooth cruising.
Small-wheeled bikes actually have certain advantages.
They also tend to be more maneuverable and nimble, better for navigating tight and twisty trails. Also easier to jump and do tricks on. And, of course, all else being equal, they'll be lighter than a bike with larger wheels -- because, you know, wheels have mass and bigger wheels have more mass.
Of course, there are real advantages to bigger wheels as well. Smoother ride, faster when coasting downhill, better able to handle bumps, better able to handle soft and loose surfaces, wider contact patch for more traction, etc. So choosing the right wheel size for you comes down to personal preference and where you'll be riding.
That's impressive! This guy is 9 years old. I've been putting off replacing the whole drivetrain (from wear) and lubing the bottom bracet.
You're right, the right tires make it cruise so smooth.
Love my 26" XC. Easy to store, easy to transport, easy to ride!
Love the different colors
The last owner was a pro racer who had it custom built then repainted to make it lighter XD
I've had this 26er since 1996. Still rolling.
https://pixelfed.social/p/murph/829746628566310743
(alt text - old cannondale bike standing up propped up by helmet on the side of a PA road the stretches off into the distance.)
Very cool, other than being hard to find parts for :(
I find 27.5 fits, but not as nimble for me. 29 I can hardly stand flat off the saddle.
That one sure is!
Thanks!
Classic ol'reliable
Sure, at least mine is.
I bought a 26" new a couple of years ago (well, a dirtjumper), one of my all time favorite bikes!
I have an old Gary Fisher Kaitai (it was first an mtb, but they used the name for a hybrid after that) I bought at a swap meet a few years ago. I don't ride it much, though, I'm a roadie and rarely make it to the trails.
I tried to take it on some mtb tails in Durango, Colorado when I visited there in 2018. I live very close to sea level, and Durango is at 6,000 ft. My attempted ride did not go well. I was barely a quarter mile up the trail (a trail marked "easy"), bent over the handlebars, wheezing. There's just no oxygen there! I couldn't even pass a guy walking two dogs. I still laugh at the memory.
Was going to say, we’re 27 and we’re cool 😭 Nah we talking about bikes, yeah ofc any and all bikes are fucn cool, but we’re still cool yeah? 😭
Oof me being older than 30 😂
Aaaaaaaa sorry 😭 😂 Can we ask what do you mean by 26’? Like the wheel size we’re guessing? We only ride city bikes and never really thought about the wheel size tbh
Yup, 26" wheel size. Road bikes are typically 700c, which you be slightly larger than 27.5 or 650b
I’m tempted to try a 32er
lol, I'd love to see a 32 tried side-by-side with a 26.
Lol it would be funny. Throw in a 12" kids bike for fun