Can you put 700c wheels on a mountain bike? That’s the question we asked ourselves when considering how to upgrade our old bike.
There is an abundance of information and opinions online, but not all are reliable or worth your time. We want to help you figure out if it makes sense for your needs before taking the plunge into this decision alone.
This article will go over all the pros and cons of putting a larger wheel size on your mountain bike.
- Can You Put 700c Wheels on a Mountain Bike?
- What are the differences between 700c wheels and other types of wheels?
- What is the difference between 27.5 and 700C?
- How to Fit 700c Wheels on 29-Inch MTBs
- How to Fit 700c Wheels On 26 and 27.5-inch MTBs
- What are the benefits of using 700c wheels?
- What are the disadvantages of fitting 700c wheels on a Mountain bike
- Conclusion
Can You Put 700c Wheels on a Mountain Bike?
Yes, you can put 700c tires on a mountain bike. You need to make other adjustments to the design of the bike in order for this transition to work out, but it is possible.
The width of a 700C tire is about 27mm, which is the same as the width of a 26in wheel. That said, there are many different 700C wheels available on the market. It really depends on what you are looking for in terms of size and style.
Mountain bikes are designed with suspension systems that allow them to handle rough terrain. However, if you’re planning on using your mountain bike mostly for paved surfaces, then you might want to consider switching to 700c wheels.
This will give you a smoother ride and make pedaling easier. Just be sure to make the necessary adjustments to your bike so that everything works together properly.
What are the differences between 700c wheels and other types of wheels?
700c wheels are narrower than other types of wheels. They also have a smaller diameter, which makes them lighter. Additionally, 700c wheels are designed for a 700mm outer-diameter tire. However, some 700C rims are wide, so the “C” part of “700C” does not really apply either.
In terms of cycling, 700c wheels are most commonly used on road bikes. They can also be used on some hybrid bikes and touring bikes. However, they are not typically used on mountain bikes because the smaller diameter makes them less durable and more difficult to control on rough terrain.
What is the difference between 27.5 and 700C?
The 650b and 700c bikes share the same rim diameter as 27.5″, but they have a different bead seat diameter (584 and 622 mm, respectively). The bead seat diameter is the measurement of the inner width of the rim.
A 650b wheel will have a 584mm bead seat diameter, while a 700c wheel will have a 622mm bead seat diameter.
The difference in bead seat diameters means that you can’t put 700c wheels on a mountain bike. Mountain bike frames are designed around a wider tire width, so they need a wider bead seat diameter in order to accommodate those tires.
If you tried to put 700c wheels on a mountain bike, the tires would be very loose and could come off the wheels while you’re riding.
In conclusion, 650b and 700c bikes share the same rim size, but they have different bead seat diameters. You can’t put 700c wheels on a mountain bike because they wouldn’t be able to hold the wider mountain bike tires securely.
How to Fit 700c Wheels on 29-Inch MTBs
It’s possible to put 700c wheels on a mountain bike, but it’s important to make sure that the new wheels will be compatible with the bike.
It is possible to install 700c wheels on a 29-inch mountain bike by following these simple steps:
1. Rim diameter of 700c is 622mm while the rim diameter of 29-inch MTB wheels is 629mm, so make sure to purchase the correct 700c rims.
2. Check if your 29-inch MTB tires are compatible with 700c rims. Most 29-inch MTB tires are compatible as long as the width of the tire is supported by the rim.
3. Install the 700c rims on your 29-inch MTB following the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Install your 29-inch MTB tires on the 700c rims and enjoy riding on a fast road bike
Simply put, you cannot fit a 700c road racing tire on a 29-inch mountain bike rim. There are too many differences between the two types of rims and tires.
However, it is possible to install slim city tires that will provide better traction on pavement and stability when riding in urban areas.
How to Fit 700c Wheels On 26 and 27.5-inch MTBs
You can put 700c wheels on a mountain bike, but there are a few things you need to take into account first.
You can fit 700c wheels on a mountain bike if the tire size is appropriate. MTBs designed for 26-inch wheels have the smallest clearance, so you will need to make sure that the 700c wheel and tire won’t be too big for your bike.
One way is to match the circumferences of the new and old wheels. For example, if you have 23-25mm wide tires, you can get close to the 210mm circumference of a 26-inch MTB wheel with a 2 inch tire.
Another way is to use spacers between the hub and frame; this will increase the effective diameter of the wheel. Finally, some riders simply switch out the 26-inch fork for a 700c fork.
Yes, you can put 700c wheels on a mountain bike. The key is to find the right size tire that will fit both the wheel and the frame. Most MTBs use 27.5-inch tires, which provide more space to work with when fitting a 700c wheel.
Additionally, if your MTB has a 27.5-inch fork and frame, it should be able to accept a 700c35mm or larger tire without any problems.
What are the benefits of using 700c wheels?
There are several benefits to using 700c wheels on a mountain bike. First, they offer a higher ride quality than other wheel sizes. This means that they are more comfortable to ride on and offer a smoother ride.
Additionally, they are easier to transport and store than other wheel sizes. This makes them ideal for cyclists who want to be able to take their bike with them on vacation or when travelling for business.
Finally, 700c wheels offer a wider range of speeds that can be enjoyed by cyclists. This is because they are better suited for mountain biking and provide more stability and resilience when ridden on rough terrain or in cold weather conditions.
What are the disadvantages of fitting 700c wheels on a Mountain bike
One of the potential issues you may face when fitting 700c wheels on a mountain bike is clearance, or rather, the lack thereof. The chainstay bridge and the fork’s arch will be the areas with the poorest clearance.
One of the ways to minimize potential issues is to match the circumference of the new and old wheels as closely as possible. To get close to this circumference, a 700c wheel will have to be equipped with 23-25mm wide tires which is the classic size for road bike tires.
(700c23mm tires have a circumference of about 2098.58mm whereas that of 25mm models is 2111.15mm.) Naturally, a mountain bike designed for 27.5-inch tires will provide even more space to work with
Conclusion
Yes, you can put 700c wheels on a mountain bike. You may want to consider 650B wheels, however, as they will allow you to enjoy the advantages of high-volume tires.
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