Stay on top of the best compositions for rims, in addition to knowing the difference between 26” and 29”, learning the advantages and disadvantages of each one.
As we already know, the cycling market has taken on a huge proportion, currently, and, for those who are still starting, it is necessary to learn some details that make all the difference when pedaling.
Many cyclists, even the most experienced ones, still don’t know much about bicycle rims, especially the popular 26″ and 29″ rims, their materials, advantages and disadvantages.
When choosing the size of your bicycle rim, you need to know the difference between a 26″ and a 29″ rim, which will be ideal for the type of cycling you want to practice and adapt better to you, in addition to the most suitable material. sturdy for your commute.
Types of rim materials
1. Steel
This type of rim is made with carbon steel alloy and other metals, being heavier than other types of rims.
It is mostly found on low-cost 26-inch bikes.
The steel rim was once very popular, but today it is more suitable for touring bikes on urban routes, but it can also be used for a very light dirt track.
Even with a great cost, the carbon steel rim is the most fragile when it comes to impact and weight, in addition to also rusting easily, that is, escape from holes, stones and rain.
If it gets wet, dry it immediately.
2. Aluminum
When aluminum appeared as an option in rims, it was expensive, but nowadays, you can equip your bike with it, without weighing your pocket.
Being a light and resistant material, it allows you to get heavy when pedaling. The aluminum rim is made with a special alloy that mixes steel and other metals, so it’s light – but also strong.
This type of rim allows two options:
- use of double sheet, having a second layer inside the rim ensuring heavy cycling in the city and on more intense trails; or
- use of a single sheet, which is also great, but a little lower than the double sheet.
Most cycling modalities use the aluminum rim on long rides, light, moderate, heavy trails and travel. The material resists corrosion, has a good cost and is still safe.
3. Carbon fiber
If what you are looking for is the best rim quality, the carbon fiber ones will satisfy you for sure. Made of tiny carbon fiber weaves mixed with resin and other substances, this type of rim becomes the lightest and most resistant on the market, however, with a higher cost.
Demanding and professional cyclists often prefer this rim because its weight has a lot of influence on cycling performance.
It can be present on moderate to heavier trails, as well as mountain bike competitions and other events.
But it’s worth remembering: even with all this resistance, if you hit something intensely, it will crack and there is no fix, you will need a new one.
Rim 26” x rim 29”
Rim 26”
This rim size is the most popular and can be used by different audiences, as its cost is low and there is the possibility of putting it on different models of bicycles on the market.
This happens because the 26” rim offers agility and light weight, when compared to larger rims, in different terrains from city to trail.
Even with the fever of the 29” rim, the 26” rim bicycle was not left behind, being compact and still one of the most resistant, because of its diameter. If what you are looking for is agility and lightness, this is ideal. But, of course, it has its drawbacks: it has little stability, little traction and requires more leg strength .
Rim 29”
Owner of a large diameter, the 29” rim bikes start more slowly, however, after picking up speed, it is not easy to stop. With greater contact with the ground, it generates greater stability and grip to go through holes and terrain that would be suffered by other rims.
It also makes it possible to maintain high speed without too much effort on the legs and has great traction on heavy climbs, which makes it very popular on bikes these days.
Unfortunately, the 29” rim is not only made of advantages. If what you are looking for are technical trails and tight curves, it will not be ideal for your bike, as its larger axle increases the difficulty of maneuvers.
There are also those who say that this type of hoop fits better for athletes taller than 1.80 m, but the darling hoop of cycling does indeed work for different heights.
Recommendations
If you are one of those interested in starting to enjoy the benefits of cycling , know that finding the ideal bike for you is important.
Go to physical stores that allow you to test it or do it with a friend’s bike, so you know which one fits best for you, providing more comfort.
Don’t forget that each hoop has its ideal frame.
There is no better or worse rim, but each one is suitable for a certain purpose, such as road cycling or mountain biking.