Mountain Bike Tire Sizes

The 26” mountain bike tire sizes are the most widely used. Although it remains very popular, there are many other sizes that are available.

The 26”

This is the standard for mountain bikes. It is adaptable and useful for beginners. Practically the whole industry is based on it, so you won’t have problems finding support. This tire is also known for its rapid acceleration.

The biggest drawback is difficulty in getting over good sized obstacles. These tires are also susceptible to getting stuck in snow, mud or sand. For those new to mountain biking, these are probably the best choice.

The 29”

These mountain bike tire sizes are larger than the average. With these tires, a biker can overcome large obstacles with ease. These wheels also make it easier to navigate snow, mud and other rough terrain. The traction is superior to the 26”. An added benefit is it keeps your momentum going. However, the bike frame must conform to the extra large tires.

If the design is not right, there will be a toe-tire overlap. It is also important that the bike weight be kept to a low. Due to these issues, the 29” size is often used by tall bikers. There is also the fact that full suspension for this kind of tire is limited. For this reason, the bike setup and suspension are more complicated than the average bike.

More about Mountain Bike Tire Dimensions

Veteran bike riders will be more comfortable with different kinds of tires. If there is appropriate air pressure, you can go for bigger tires. They can be very comfortable over the long run. There is also greater stability.

The trade-offs are the extra weight they bring. If you want a light bike, big tires should be avoided. Putting on weight outside the wheels will make the bike heavy.

Other Information

The typical sizing systems used are set upon the measurements of the tire’s outside diameter. That is the part that the 26”, 27” etc are referring too. Their millimeter equivalents are 650 and 700 respectively. Inches are the norm in the United States.

But a few tires use millimeters for sizing. Also bear in mind that the sizes are not really precise. The 26 inch tire produced by manufacturers will have a few differences in fact.

The mountain bike tire sizes stated here are those frequently used in the US. In other countries, they may use other systems. However, there will usually be sizing equivalents to help you along.