Benefits of building a 20 or 24 inch wheel cruiser bike?

[Chainlube]

My Auto-Mini with 20" wheels, it had all the acceleration needed for in town riding.

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

For me, a 24 inch wheel bike fits me much better ; I can put at least one foot on the ground when I stop without having to leave the saddle. I am only 5-7 and bikes are not like motorcycle where both of your feet touch the ground. all of the speed sacrifices and "comfort" aside I am converting my Whizzer to 24 inch wheels and the new WC1 whizzer I just got is a 24 and I now know what it is like to be more comfortable at a stop and start up.

Wheel size has very little to do with it. Sounds more like you're using a bicycle frame that's too big for you.

 

[GW's Motorized]

Wheel size has very little to do with it. Sounds more like you're using a bicycle frame that's too big for you.

It might be that I have a 27.5 inch wheel on the front

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

This calculator will tell you what the perfect frame geometry would be for your body build if you could have a custom frame made. Then you should try to buy a manufactured frame that's as close as possible to your perfect frame build.

Bike Size Guide

New Bike Size Guide Launching 11/17/23

www.competitivecyclist.com

 

[Risk Man]

This calculator will tell you what the perfect frame geometry would be for your body build if you could have a custom frame made. Then you should try to buy a manufactured frame that's as close as possible to your perfect frame build.

Bike Size Guide

New Bike Size Guide Launching 11/17/23

www.competitivecyclist.com

Jerry, you are right. When I bought my first mountain bike in 1988 I had it fit by the schwinn dealer. Unfortunately, I am dealing with a stock Whizzer frame (2002 and 2004) that interchanged 26 and 24 inch wheels. They only made a few of the repops that had a true 24 inch frame. The wheel change is my only option other than a new frame. Thanks

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Jerry, you are right. When I bought my first mountain bike in 1988 I had it fit by the schwinn dealer. Unfortunately, I am dealing with a stock Whizzer frame (2002 and 2004) that interchanged 26 and 24 inch wheels. They only made a few of the repops that had a true 24 inch frame. The wheel change is my only option other than a new frame. Thanks

We do what we have to do. The Schwinn Sidewinder with 26" wheels is designed for someone up to 5'10" tall. I'm 6'2" tall. I had to extend the steerer post by 7" so that I could ride in an upright position instead of the traditional tripod piston.

 

[Cannonball3]

You can build a 24 with decent top end if you gear it properly. The smaller the engine the more the the gearing becomes critical. Not so much with a 212, an HS is another matter. I like 24s and have built several. This bike is one of my favorites. Its stretched 10” to extend the wheelbase and improve ride/handling.

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

It changes the overall gear ratio a little, it's like putting on a smaller sprocket. The reason I was thinking 24s was because my legs are pretty short, so my 26 inch wheeled bike only my toes touch the ground.

What kind of engine are you planning to use and what are your level ground expectations?

 

[darwin]

No one here has mentioned the size of the frame. For me a 15" frame is too small, ideal is 18". Bought a DB Outlook bike with a 21" frame and it was way too tall. Might try it from that angle instead of wheel size.

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

No one here has mentioned the size of the frame. For me a 15" frame is too small, ideal is 18". Bought a DB Outlook bike with a 21" frame and it was way too tall. Might try it from that angle instead of wheel size.

Just gave him a frame size calculator a few posts back????