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

[Gordy]

I'm looking into possibly setting aside cash and saving money for a winter project next winter. I am wanting to build another bike, and I was considering using a smaller wheeled cruiser bike. What would be the benefits and the disadvantages of building a 24-20 inch wheeled MB?

 

[Darwin]

My opinion, for a cruiser bike you need the bigger wheels for the ride and comfort. Perfect example are 10"/12"/14" wheels on scooters. 10" really sucks for ride and steering, absorbing bumps. With each increase in size it gets way better. Smaller wheels are for kids' size, low riders for being low etc..

 

[Risk Man]

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.

 

[Gordy]

I was thinking of building the bike for highway commutes to town, so smaller wheels would help with top end

 

[Axl Myk]

How so?

I was thinking of building the bike for highway commutes to town, so smaller wheels would help with top end

How so?

 

[Gordy]

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.

 

[Gordy]

Are 24 inch mag wheels available?

 

[Gordy]

Or should I go with spoke rims because there is a railroad crossing on the way that might be bad for mag wheels

 

[DieselTech]

On a 20" wheel you will gain acceleration/or torque, but you will lose top speed & ride quality.

 

[Darwin]

J's gonna wright a thesis on this, waiting.