Swapping 29 Inch Wheels Onto 700c Bikes: Is It Potential?


So you’re questioning in case you can put 29-inch wheels in your 700c bike? Effectively, 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 soundness and rollover of a 29er. He has been a fan of the 29ers for a protracted 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 similar to elevated rolling effectivity, improved traction, and higher stability. If you’re seeking to make the efficiency of your bike higher on rougher trails, 29-ers will be one factor to contemplate. 

Earlier than you soar on this bandwagon, there are some issues you need to think about. What are they? Effectively, I’m glad you requested. Learn on to seek out out!

What Is A 700c Bike?

The time period 700c describes the wheel parameter. One of these wheel measurement is often used on hybrid, path, and street bikes. This wheel measurement is known for being bigger as in comparison with different sizes. There are a number of benefits of getting a 700c bike similar to:

  • 700c bikes are quick on paved roads.
  • They’re extra environment friendly.
  • They’re light-weight.
  • You’ll have a big selection of tire choices on a 700c bike. Go for both slender tires or vast 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 most important wheel measurement that you could find in your mountain bike! Having a 29-inch wheel additionally has its personal advantages together with: 

  • You’ll have a higher rolling effectivity. These wheels are effectively 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 a better middle of gravity. 

700c Vs. 29er Bikes- The Trial Problem

Terrain 700c Bikes 29er Bikes
Paved roads Sooner and extra environment friendly Slower and fewer environment friendly, however nonetheless corresponding to 700c bikes
Dust trails Slower and fewer environment friendly Sooner and extra environment friendly, with higher traction and stability
Singletrack Slower and fewer environment friendly Sooner and extra environment friendly, with higher stability and simpler to maneuver

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

Close Up Bicycle Front Wheel
Shut Up Bicycle Entrance Wheel

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 means of numerous research:

Execs Of Utilizing 29 Inch Wheels On A 700c

Listed here are the advantages or professionals that you’ll take pleasure in:

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 vitality in the long term. A research printed within the Journal of Sports activities Drugs in 2009 discovered that riders have been in a position to save 6% of their vitality driving a 29er bike on filth tracks whereas on single tracks, they saved virtually 10% of their vitality. 

This makes me marvel how a lot sooner will carbon street 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 a better middle of gravity, they supply higher stability even at larger speeds. In 2011, one other research printed within the Journal of Sports activities Sciences claimed that 29er bikes are extra secure. Riders are much less more likely to undergo a crash even on tough terrains when they’re utilizing a 29er bike. 

4. They Provide Extra Versatility 

You should utilize 29-inches wheels on all types of terrain. Whether or not you need to experience 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 experience extra snug. 

Cons Of Utilizing 29 Inch Wheels On A 700c

These are a couple 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 are going to 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 could have to regulate your gears to correctly compensate your wheels. 

3. You Will Additionally Want To Verify Disc Brake Compatibility 

For disc brakes, additionally, you will must examine 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 rapidly. Heavy wheels could be a motive why your bike is so laborious to pedal! To not overlook that they are going to add weight to your bike, lowering the aerodynamic benefit you could have. 

When you’ve got a light-weight bike, it’s a must to think about the burden these wheels shall be including to it. Learn this information to seek out out how one can select wheels for the lightest street bikes.

5. They Are Costly 

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

If you’re simply pondering of shopping for new street bike wheels as an alternative of creating a 29er improve, right here is the reality that you might want to find out about shopping for new street bike wheels!

What To Think about 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 a must to think about to keep away from dealing with any challenges. 

1. The Sort Of Your Bike 

The kind of your bike issues probably the most on the subject of making this type of adjustment. When you’ve got a racing bike, I’d advocate you to not use 29-inch wheels. It’s because including such heavy wheels will increase the burden of your bike. Your bike will change into much less responsive. 

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

2. Your Using Model 

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

3. Your Funds Constraints

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

4. Your Physique Measurement 

29-inch wheels are pretty large. If you’re an individual with a brief top, these wheels may not swimsuit you. 

If you’re seeking to set up new 29ers in your bike, it’s best to undoubtedly try this information on bike tire instructions!

Totally different Sorts Of 29-inch Wheels You Can Think about 

Bike Tires And Wheels
Bike Tires
Model Mannequin Worth
Shimano MT620 $150
WTB STi29 $200
Nukeproof Horizon V2 $250
SunRingle Duroc 35 $300
Alexrims EX35 $350
Hunt Path Huge V2 $400
DT Swiss XR1700 Spline $500
Stan’s NoTubes Crest MK4 $600
Business 9 Enduro S $700
Enve M25 $800

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

Biking Heroes Who Used 29 Inch Wheels On A 700c

There are a lot of well-known cyclists who’ve used 29-inch wheels on 700c bikes to set historic data 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 significant 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 experience 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 space 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 got for brand spanking new wheels. 

How To Select The Proper 29er Wheels And Tires?

For choosing the proper 29er wheels and tires, it’s important that you just think about the kind of driving you’ll do, the type of terrain, the wheel and tire weight, alongside your price range. 

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 be sure you middle the wheels within the bike body and the fork. Now regulate your brake and shifters. Ultimately, arrange the correct suspension for 29-inch wheels.

Methods to regulate your brakes and shifters?

When you’ve got disc brakes, regulate the place of your rotors. If you’re utilizing rim brakes, you will have to regulate the cables of the mechanical shifters. For digital shifters, you’ll have to reprogram them. You possibly can simply regulate your brakes by following the following pointers and methods. 

Methods to arrange your suspension for 29-inch wheels?

You will have to regulate the preload after which rebound damping in your shock and fork. After this, set the sag in your shock and fork. You possibly can comply with this video for a simple technique:

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

The widest tire measurement that you would be able to placed on a 700c rim will depend on 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. Nevertheless, 29er mountain bikes can match off-road tires as much as 75mm vast.

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 stability 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 should 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, some great 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 an expert earlier than you make the improve. 

All this speaking has obtained me pondering can we put 29-ers on an electrical street 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 can be concerned with discovering out. 

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

Additionally Learn: The 12 Greatest Funds Highway Bike Wheels – Lighter Wheels For Speedy Journey


This text was crafted by Luke Ameen, Affiliate Editor, a seasoned professional, bringing 8 years of expertise and data about all varieties of bikes. Our objective is to offer you correct, dependable, and helpful insights that will help you make knowledgeable selections and improve your biking expertise.

Ought to you might have any questions or require additional clarification on the subject, please be at liberty to attach with our professional creator Luke Ameen by leaving a remark under. We worth your engagement and are right here to help you.



Supply hyperlink

Stay in Touch

To follow the best weight loss journeys, success stories and inspirational interviews with the industry's top coaches and specialists. Start changing your life today!

Related Articles