So you’re questioning when you can put 29-inch wheels in your 700c bike? Properly, there may be some excellent news in retailer for you!  YES! you possibly can put 29-inch wheels on a 700c bike. Ask the well-known Canadian mountain biker and bicycle owner Geoff Kabush, who has been a fan of mixing the velocity and agility of a 700c bike with the steadiness and rollover of a 29er. He has been a fan of the 29ers for an extended now! 

However don’t simply take my phrase for it, analysis discovered that 29-inch wheels have an a variety of benefits over smaller wheels resembling elevated rolling effectivity, improved traction, and higher stability. In case you are seeking to make the efficiency of your bike higher on rougher trails, 29-ers might be one factor to think about. 

Earlier than you bounce on this bandwagon, there are some issues you could contemplate. What are they? Properly, I’m glad you requested. Learn on to seek out out!

What Is A 700c Bike?

The time period 700c describes the wheel parameter. This kind of wheel measurement is normally used on hybrid, path, and highway bikes. This wheel measurement is legendary for being bigger as in comparison with different sizes. There are a number of benefits of getting a 700c bike resembling:

• 700c bikes are quick on paved roads.
• They’re extra environment friendly.
• They’re light-weight.
• You should have a big selection of tire choices on a 700c bike. Go for both slender tires or huge touring tires. The selection is yours. 

What Is A 29er Bike?

29er bikes are mountain bikes with a wheel diameter of 29 inches. 29 inches is the biggest wheel measurement that you’ll find in your mountain bike! Having a 29-inch wheel additionally has its personal advantages together with: 

• You should have a higher rolling effectivity. These wheels are nicely able to rolling over obstacles. 
• They supply higher traction on a slippery slope. Since they’ve an enormous contact patch with the bottom. 
• These wheels present extra stability at larger speeds as a result of they’ve the next heart of gravity. 

700c Vs. 29er Bikes- The Trial Problem

The Advantages And Challenges Of Utilizing 29 Inch Wheels On A 700c

I put in 29-inch wheels on my Trek Emonda. There are undoubtedly some advantages of doing so however I additionally confronted a handful of challenges. Here’s what I analyzed from my expertise and from going by way of varied research:

Professionals Of Utilizing 29 Inch Wheels On A 700c

Listed here are the advantages or professionals that you’ll get pleasure from:

1. You Will Have An Elevated Rolling Effectivity 

29-inch wheels are higher at rolling over obstacles. You’ll have to put in much less effort which saves you power in the long term. A research revealed within the Journal of Sports activities Medication in 2009 discovered that riders had been in a position to save 6% of their power driving a 29er bike on filth tracks whereas on single tracks, they saved virtually 10% of their power. 

This makes me marvel how a lot sooner will carbon highway bike wheels go. Are you pondering the identical? 

2. They Present Higher Traction 

Since 29-inch wheels have an enormous contact patch with the bottom, they provide higher traction on tough and slippery slopes. 

3. 29-Inch Wheels Present Higher Stability 

Since these wheels have the next heart of gravity, they supply higher stability even at larger speeds. In 2011, one other research revealed within the Journal of Sports activities Sciences claimed that 29er bikes are extra steady. Riders are much less prone to undergo a crash even on tough terrains when they’re utilizing a 29er bike. 

4. They Provide Extra Versatility 

You should use 29-inches wheels on every kind of terrain. Whether or not you need to trip on filth tracks, paved roads, and even single tracks, 29-inch wheels are prepared for all of it. 

5. They Present Higher Consolation 

Since 29-inch wheels have a bigger contact patch, they’re higher at absorbing bumps and vibrations. This makes your trip extra snug. 

Cons Of Utilizing 29 Inch Wheels On A 700c

These are a number of of the cons that I confronted after making the swap. 

1. You Want Extra Tire Clearance 

Since 29-inch wheels are bigger than 700c wheels, you will have extra tire clearance. The 29-inch wheels have the identical ISO because the 700c (622mm). So they’ll suit your 700c bike however you will have to ensure that your fork and your body have sufficient tire clearance to help 29-inch wheels. 

2. Gears Will Want Adjustment 

With bigger wheels, you will have to regulate your gears to correctly compensate your wheels. 

3. You Will Additionally Want To Examine Disc Brake Compatibility 

For disc brakes, additionally, you will must verify your rotors’ compatibility with bigger wheel tires. 

4. 29-inch Wheels Are Heavier 

29-inch wheels are heavier as in comparison with 700c wheels. Heavy wheels take extra effort to spin and so they decelerate way more shortly. Heavy wheels generally is a motive why your bike is so exhausting to pedal! To not neglect that they’ll add weight to your bike, lowering the aerodynamic benefit you will have. 

You probably have a light-weight bike, it’s important to contemplate the load these wheels can be including to it. Learn this information to seek out out how one can select wheels for the lightest highway bikes.

5. They Are Costly 

One factor that it’s important to contemplate earlier than making a swap is the associated fee. These wheels are costly. There are budget-friendly choices of bike wheels however they won’t be the identical measurement!

In case you are simply pondering of shopping for new highway bike wheels as a substitute of creating a 29er improve, right here is the reality that you should find out about shopping for new highway bike wheels!

What To Contemplate When Utilizing 29er Wheels On A 700C?

It’s established already that utilizing 700c wheels on a 29er improves the efficiency however earlier than you make the leap, here’s what it’s important to contemplate to keep away from dealing with any challenges. 

1. The Sort Of Your Bike 

The kind of your bike issues probably the most with regards to making this sort of adjustment. You probably have a racing bike, I might advocate you to not use 29-inch wheels. It is because including such heavy wheels will increase the load of your bike. Your bike will grow to be much less responsive. 

29-inch wheels are nice for gravel and touring bikes. 

2. Your Driving Fashion 

Informal riders may not want 29-inch wheels to trip on the pavement. However if you’re extra of an aggressive rider like me who likes to trip on completely different sorts of terrain, it’s best to undoubtedly improve your wheels. 29-inch wheels are good at dealing with every kind of terrains. 

3. Your Finances Constraints

29-inch wheels are costlier than the same old 700c wheels. If funds is an issue, it’s higher to stay to your regular 700c. In case your tire is nearing its expiration date, then possibly you can also make a giant replace! 

4. Your Physique Measurement 

29-inch wheels are pretty large. In case you are an individual with a brief peak, these wheels may not go well with you. 

In case you are seeking to set up new 29ers in your bike, it’s best to undoubtedly take a look at this information on bike tire instructions!

Totally different Varieties Of 29-inch Wheels You Can Contemplate 

If you wish to discover extra choices, learn this information on wheels for highway bikes. 

Biking Heroes Who Used 29 Inch Wheels On A 700c

There are lots of well-known cyclists who’ve used 29-inch wheels on 700c bikes to set historic information and even gained races.

• Geoff Kabush: Kabush gained the 2009 Leadville 100 mountain bike race on a 29er bike.
• Alison Sydor: In 2012, Sydor gained the World Masters Mountain Bike Championships. This marked the primary time a 29er bike gained a serious world championship race
• Mike Corridor: Corridor rode a 29er bike to win the Transcontinental Race the place he cycled throughout Europe in 2014. This proves that utilizing a 700c on a 29er makes your rides snug. 
• Lael Wilcox: Just lately, in 2023, Lael Wilcox set a world file for the quickest time to trip the Tour Divide. Guess what was he driving? 

FAQs

How To Measure The Clearance On Your Body And Fork?

Start by eradicating your wheels and tires. Now measure the gap from the highest of your tire to the closest a part of your fork or your body. The smallest measurement would be the clearance that you’ve for brand new wheels. 

How To Select The Proper 29er Wheels And Tires?

For selecting the best 29er wheels and tires, it is vital that you just contemplate the kind of driving you’ll do, the sort of terrain, the wheel and tire weight, alongside your funds. 

How To Set up 29-inch Wheels On A 700c Bike?

Begin by eradicating your present wheels and tires, Now set up your new 29er wheels and tires. Just remember to heart the wheels within the bike body and the fork. Now regulate your brake and shifters. In the long run, arrange the precise suspension for 29-inch wheels.

Learn how to regulate your brakes and shifters?

You probably have disc brakes, regulate the place of your rotors. In case you are utilizing rim brakes, you will have to regulate the cables of the mechanical shifters. For digital shifters, you’ll have to reprogram them. You’ll be able to simply regulate your brakes by following the following pointers and tips. 

Learn how to arrange your suspension for 29-inch wheels?

You have to to regulate the preload after which rebound damping in your shock and fork. After this, set the sag in your shock and fork. You’ll be able to comply with this video for a straightforward methodology:

What The Widest Tires I Can Put On A 700C Rim?

The widest tire measurement which you could placed on a 700c rim is dependent upon the interior width of your rim and the suggestions of the tire producer. Probably the most well-known widths are 23, 25, and 28mm within the combine. Nonetheless, 29er mountain bikes can match off-road tires as much as 75mm huge.

What Tire Measurement Do Professional Cyclists Use?

28mm or 30mm tires on 700c rims are tire sizes utilized by many professional cyclists. Tires of this measurement present a steadiness between velocity and luxury. Some professional cyclists like Mathieu van der Poel, Peter Sagan, and Greg Van Avermaet additionally use 32mm or 35mm after they need to compete on rougher terrains or races together with cobblestones like Paris-Roubaix, Tour of Flanders. 

Conclusion 

To place all confusion to an finish as soon as and for all: You Can Put 29 Inch Wheels On A 700c? Total, the benefits of utilizing 29-inch wheels for a 700c bike outweigh the challenges. The swap does include some challenges. It’s a higher concept to speak to a mechanic or focus on issues with knowledgeable earlier than you make the improve. 

All this speaking has received me pondering can we put 29-ers on an electrical highway bike? Will or not it’s any completely different than a standard bike? How about we focus on this subsequent time intimately? Let me know within the feedback if you’ll be fascinated with discovering out. 

Nonetheless, I like to recommend that you just test-ride a 29-inch wheel bike earlier than making a choice. 

Additionally Learn: The 12 Finest Finances Street Bike Wheels – Lighter Wheels For Speedy Journey