Which E-Bike Wheel Size is Best for Me?
Struggling to understand what the different wheel sizes mean for E-bikes? Need to know which is best for you? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Let’s break it down.
What the Different Sizes Mean
Each different wheel size serves a certain type of E-bike. Depending on the E-bike you want, you may find only one wheel size available or, there may be a choice. Let’s take a closer look.
16” Wheels
This is the smallest wheel size you’ll find for an E-bike and you’ll only find 16” wheels on folding E-bikes.
Their compact and lightweight size make them ideal for folding bikes and storing the E-bike in small spaces. They’re also super at tight maneuvering and can nip through heavy traffic with surprising ease.
On the other hand, small wheels can’t maintain the fast speeds you can get with a regular-sized bike plus they require more energy to turn so you’ll get tired quicker with this wheel size. You’ll also feel all those pesky lumps, bumps, and potholes in the road far more than you would with larger wheels.
20” Wheels
This size wheel is also usually reserved for the folding E-bike or kids’ E-bikes. This size wheel has the same advantages and disadvantages as the 16” wheel. However, 20” wheels are a bit more practical for general use as they’re more stable and hold more traction.
Keep in mind that 16” and 20” wheels are both unsuitable for any kind of off-road riding. Strictly on-road pedaling only.
When choosing a folding bike, always weigh up whether you want to sacrifice size for practicability or vice versa.
26” Wheels
This is the sweet spot as far as electric bikes are concerned and is considered the industry standard. You’ll find this size available on city E-bikes, E-Mountain bikes, hybrid E-bikes, and more.
This size wheel provides a comfortable riding experience and ease of pedaling combined with good traction and stability. The wheels are large enough to smooth out the bumps in the road without requiring additional suspension. This is also definitely the best wheel size for beginner E-bikers.
The downside of the 26” wheel is that it’s not the best for serious off-road riding or trails. Therefore, if you’re a passionate mountain biker, you’ll probably want something a little bigger.
You also won’t get as good maneuverability with this size as you would with the smaller sizes making the 26” wheel a little more cumbersome when riding through traffic.
27.5” and 29” Wheels
These large-size wheels are reserved exclusively for E-mountain bikes. This is because they’re necessary for smoothing out that rocky, uneven terrain. Coupled with decent suspension, you’ll get the most comfortable ride possible on an E-MTB.
With that said, they’re not ideal for city riding and they’re particularly bad at performing tight maneuvers. Therefore, if you plan to use your bike for this purpose as well as mountain biking, you should consider something smaller.
People who are smaller in height may also struggle with these size wheels as the bike frame may end up too high to sit on comfortably.
Which Wheel Size Should I Choose?
Before you select your wheel size, think carefully about the type of riding you need to do and where you plan to store your bike.
- Choose 16” or 20” if you need a folding, compact bike and only want to ride around town
- Choose 26” if you want a versatile, comfortable E-bike, and storage space isn’t an issue
- Choose 27.5” or 29” if you want to use your E-bike exclusively for off-road riding
Wheel size matters for your E-bike so take your time and choose wisely. It’s also a good idea to try out a few sizes to see which one you like the best. Get it right and your E-bike experience will always be positive.