Wheels are obviously an essential part of any bike. But there are many bike wheel sizes and understanding what to choose can be confusing. The type of biking you do, the frame of your bike, and your own stature are factors to examine when it comes to wheel size. To help you understand this part of your bike, referring to a bike wheel size chart is the easiest path forward. We’ll break down the terminology around bike wheel sizes and then provide a bit of advice on selecting the correct size. While you want to be able to navigate the right terrain, you also want to be comfortable on your bike. Our hope is that you can combine the two for the ultimate ride.
The complications that surround bike wheels have to do with the fact there are different measurements. While a country might stick to one unit of measurement, a neighboring country can have a different method. Here are common standards you will find around the world.
Short for International Standardization Organization, this is the preferred method of understanding bike wheel size in the United States. You will find ISO measurements in many industries, not just cycling, so it’s good to be aware of it.
With the ISO system, your bike tire will have two numbers. The first number connotes the width of a tire rim and uses millimeters as a measuring unit. The second number represents the diameter between the bead seats found on opposite sides of a tire rim. Again, it uses millimeters. A common ISO measurement for a bike may be 662 x 25c.
While we use ISO in the United States, in Japan, JIS is the common unit. It stands for Japanese Industrial Standard.
This is a more complicated method that uses numbers that tell you if your tire wheel is a standard size or not. Even though it is common in Japan, you won’t need to worry about it in North America.
Older bikes will sometimes use French the French Standard measurement model. This will be a combination of a number and a letter.
Mostly, you will see the number 700, which is the most common size for bike tires. 650, which is smaller in size, can also be found.
The next number will start with an “a” and move on to a “c”. This shows the width of the tire; the further down the alphabet, the wider the tire is.
Finally, to make everything simple, you may see bike tires with just one number. This is common in the United States but other countries are beginning to adapt to it. The number just means the diameter of a wheel’s tires.
Choosing a wheel size for your bike can generally be narrowed down by the following categories.
The thrill of riding a bike is something all kids should experience! It’s important to start with a bike that is not too tall for your child; otherwise, they can lack the confidence to start riding. This is especially true once you take off any training wheels. Kids can have crippling anxiety Trusted Source Dear Parents, Anxiety in Kids Is a Serious Problem Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States. Heres what you need to know about kids today and anxiety. www.healthline.com that we, as adults, don’t understand, so any time you can make an activity more interesting and accessible, the better.
You can think about bike wheel size by both the age of your child and their height. However, you should be the ultimate judge about what your child is ready for. Remember, too, that kids grow quickly, so you may want to go a size up in tire size if your child feels confident riding a bike.
12-inch tires are the smallest you will find your children. These are ideal for toddlers that are using training wheels or are transitioning from a stride bike to a pedal bike.
Another option as your child grows is to go to 14 or 16-inch tires. This can seem like a big step but should work for kids that are ages four to six years old. They should also be about 40 to 48 inches tall. A 16-inch bike should last your child for a few years.
If you find a bike frame that your child loves, many manufacturers will offer it in different sizes to accommodate different sizes. For example, the Royalbaby kids’ bike comes in 12, 14, 16, and 18-inch sizes.
Finally, as your child grows, you may want to consider tires that measure 20 or even 26 inches. This will be the last size before your child becomes a teenager, at which point they will probably be ready for an adult-sized bike.
As children stay roughly the same height until their teenage years, there isn’t really a distinction between tire sizes for girls versus boys. Again, it’s all about height and age, so this should direct you in the right direction.
As children stay roughly the same height until their teenage years, there isn’t really a distinction between tire sizes for girls versus boys. Again, it’s all about height and age, so this should direct you in the right direction.
For adults, bike tires will range from 26 inches to 29 inches. To decide which bike size is right for you, height and activity should be taken into consideration.
Women are generally shorter than men, so having a smaller women’s bike size chart will be more beneficial. Not only do women usually feel more confident on a bike with smaller wheels but it is much easier to get on and off.
Men can really range in height, so the range can run the gamut. Unfortunately, if you are on the shorter side and are a male, you may need to look into custom bikes as smaller frames and wheel sizes often come in more feminine designs.
When it comes to activity, this can also influence the size of bike wheels. BMX bikes have smaller frames and smaller tires so you can better maneuver them. Their wheels are usually 25 inches. You can also find folding bikes for adults, as well as smaller BMX bikes, which will have 20-inch wheels.
If you happen to have a vintage bike sitting in your garage, it probably has a wheel size of 27 inches while mountain bikes usually have wheels that are 29 inches.
We’ve used American Standard sizes for bike wheel sizes as it is the easiest to follow. However, here are the ISO measurements, in terms of millimeters.
A 26-inch bike, which many women prefer, is equivalent to 559mm. Meanwhile, standard mountain bikes, which measure 29 inches, equates to 622 mm in ISO.
As we mentioned, height is the most common factor to consider when it comes to bike wheel size. If you have a smaller stature, you don’t want to climb on top of a ladder to reach your bike. Furthermore, when you get off your bike, you want to be able to put your foot down for an easy dismount.
Knowing the right bike size for height will make for a much more enjoyable ride. Those that have a height of about 5 feet should start with a 26-inch bike. As for those that measure larger than 6 feet, look for bike wheels that are at least 29 inches. A seat that is adjustable will help a lot. If you’re especially tall, you may need to look for custom wheels and a frame.
Everyone should be able to get out on a bike. There are limitless health benefits to riding a bike Trusted Source Cycling Benefits: 12 Reasons Cycling Is Good for You Cycling is a low impact exercise that can help you manage your weight as well as prevent health risks. It’s good for beginners and advanced athletes alike. www.healthline.com , so no matter your size or height, you should be able to get out there.
While there are more options when it comes to bikes and wheels, you may need to go the way of customization. This involves finding wheels that are 32 inches and up to 36 inches in size. The best bikes for heavy riders will also have reinforced frames that can handle the extra weight. This way, you can be confident while riding and not have to worry about unwanted injuries.
You may need to custom-order large bike wheels but they do exist. Look online for custom-made bikes or talk to a local bike retailer to see what your best options are.
There is certainly a lot to consider when it comes to wheel size for your bike. Width, tread, and type of riding all need to be considered.
It doesn’t hurt to check what you have purchased. You never know if there are issues in the production process. This is especially true if you purchase a bike online that has multiple tire size options.
To check the dimensions of your bike tires, look to the side of the tire. There should be an imprint or a raised area with a series of numbers on them. This will usually be in ISO terms but may also be in American Standard numbers.
If you really want to get technical, you can always measure your tire. Simply use a measuring tape and measure from one side of the wheel to the other. Be sure to measure right through the middle for the most accurate number.
Where and when you plan on riding your bike will determine the width of your tires. Those that love to cycle all year round often have different tires that they swap out in the fall and spring.
Thin tires are perfect if you are riding your bike on flat pavement. They offer a smoother ride and are more aerodynamic.
However, if you are mountain biking or will be going over uneven terrain such as gravel, fat tires can give you a better grip. They will have deeper grooves so you can ride faster without worrying about crashing.
There are now even extra fat tires that are perfect for snowy conditions Trusted Source Winter cycling: good idea or flat-out insane? The idea that winter cycling is reserved for extreme, hard-core people is a misconception, say many winter cyclists. They say that if they dress warm and are careful, it’s actually quite a pleasant and fun experience. www.cbc.ca . These special tires have even more grip so if you are going over snow or ice, there is less to worry about. You can also find winter tires that have studs in them for extra protection against slippery surfaces.
For the most part, thin tires will be smooth while wider tires will have more tread. This is mainly due to the types of riding you do with these wheels.
Just don’t be confused by smooth tires that are actually worn out. The more you ride, the more the tread will wear down on your tires. If your tires started out having thick tread, then you should replace them as soon as the grooves start to disappear.
Even with smooth tires, you should be aware if they become too worn down. Smooth tires have thinner material so there is less time between needing to replace the tires and having an unexpected flat tire.
If one of your tires needs to be replaced on your bike, you don’t need to replace both of them. Similar to a car, while you need to replace both the front wheels at a time, you don’t need to replace the back ones all at once.
Bike wheels are designed to handle different parts of cycling. Rear wheels are more likely to need replacing because they handle more stress and braking. Simply check your front tires and if they look okay, you can wait a bit longer to replace them, which will save you money.
During the pandemic, there was a great resurgence of bike riding Trusted Source The great bicycle boom of 2020 Throughout lockdown, rusty bikes were dusted off in garages around the world and sales of new bikes surged. The question is now: can it last? www.bbc.com . The renewed popularity, along with the ensuing supply chain issues has led to a backorder of bike parts. If you need to specially order bike tires or any other bike parts, be sure to leave plenty of time for them to become available. Things aren’t as bad as they were a year ago but you may need to exercise some patience.
If you bike a lot, learning how to remove and change a bike tire is essential. While you can certainly bring your bike into a repair shop, this will end up costing a lot of money.
Having the right equipment is a good starting point. A wrench to remove the sockets is key, such as the Portland Design tire wrench. You could use a regular wrench but having a designated one for your tire replacement will make the whole process easier.
You may need to remove the gear from your tire but there should be an easy latch for this. Then, take your wrench and loosen the nuts. If the brake cables are in the way, be sure to move them. Lastly, remove the tire. Replace it with a new one and complete the steps in reverse, making sure all the pieces are solidly in place.
Overall, the most common wheel size for a bike is 26 inches. However, while this may be the average, it does not mean you should immediately go out and purchase a bike with this size of tires. Instead, go through all the factors we have listed above to determine what will work for you.
Similar to car tires, when to replace mountain bike tires depends on distance, not on age. However, while cars have an odometer so you can keep track of this distance, you might have to guess a bit more when it comes to your mountain bike.
Generally, you should change your mountain bike tires every 500 to 1000 miles. This is a large gap and will depend on the type of terrain you regularly traverse. Bumpier mountain riding will wear out the tread on your tires a lot faster.
Not all bikes are created equal and as soon as you are ready to purchase one, you may be overwhelmed when it comes to bike tire size. Whether you are looking for a first bike for your child or a new bike to rekindle an old hobby, the more you know about bike wheel size, the easier your decision will be. Factors like age and height are key to finding the right wheel size. The terrain you will be traveling over, as well as the type of biking you plan on doing, are also important factors. While there are many standard bike wheel sizes, there is also the option for custom orders, so don’t be dismayed if you can’t immediately find what you are looking for. Whether you prefer the inches used in the American Standard method of measuring bike tires, or the ISO method, we hope our explanations of this bike wheel size chart have helped you understand the numbers a bit better. Bike riding is for the young and old, and we hope you find a bike that will make you feel excited to ride!
