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When choosing a folding bicycle for touring, the choice between 20-inch and 16-inch wheels can significantly impact your ride quality and overall touring experience, especially when paired with a Shimano Alfine 11-speed hub. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision:

20-Inch Wheels Advantages: Ride Quality:

Comfort: Larger wheels typically provide a smoother ride because they can roll over bumps and obstacles more easily than smaller wheels. This can be crucial on long touring rides. Traction: Better traction and stability, especially on uneven or rough surfaces. Speed and Efficiency:

Speed: 20-inch wheels can maintain higher speeds with less pedaling effort compared to smaller wheels. Efficiency: Typically more efficient on long rides, as they cover more ground per revolution. Gear Ratio:

Gear Ratios: With a Shimano Alfine 11-speed hub, the larger wheels can help make full use of the gear range, providing better performance in various terrains. Handling:

Stability: Larger wheels generally offer better stability, which is beneficial for loaded touring bikes. Disadvantages: Folded Size:

Compactness: 20-inch folding bikes are larger when folded compared to 16-inch models, which may be less convenient for travel and storage. Weight:

Weight: Typically, bikes with larger wheels can be heavier, which might affect portability. 16-Inch Wheels Advantages: Portability:

Compactness: 16-inch wheels make the bike more compact when folded, which is advantageous for transport and storage, especially in confined spaces like public transit or car trunks. Weight:

Lightweight: Generally lighter than bikes with larger wheels, making them easier to carry and handle. Maneuverability:

Handling: More nimble and agile in urban settings and tight spaces. Disadvantages: Ride Quality:

Comfort: Smaller wheels can result in a bumpier ride and less comfort on rough surfaces. They may not handle uneven terrain as well as larger wheels. Speed and Efficiency:

Speed: Smaller wheels may require more pedaling effort to maintain higher speeds, which can be tiring on long tours. Efficiency: Generally less efficient for covering long distances compared to larger wheels. Stability:

Handling: While more agile, smaller wheels can be less stable, especially when loaded or on rough terrain. Shimano Alfine 11-Speed Hub Considerations Performance: The Alfine 11-speed hub provides a good range of gears suitable for various terrains. On a 20-inch wheel, the range and gear ratios will be more effective for maintaining speed and handling different gradients.

Compatibility: Ensure that the Alfine hub is compatible with the folding bike’s frame and wheel size. Both 16-inch and 20-inch setups can work with the Alfine hub, but performance characteristics will vary.

Choosing the Right Size for Touring Long-Distance Touring: If your primary goal is long-distance touring with a focus on comfort, speed, and efficiency, the 20-inch wheel is generally a better choice.

Urban and Shorter Tours: For urban commuting or shorter tours where portability and compactness are more important, a 16-inch wheel might be more suitable.

Ultimately, the choice between 16-inch and 20-inch wheels depends on your touring needs and preferences. For long tours, where comfort and efficiency are paramount, the 20-inch wheel size is typically the better option. For more frequent folding, storage, and urban use, the 16-inch size may be more practical.

using Shimano Alphine 11 on 20" and 24" wheel size, which one is better ChatGPT The Shimano Alfine 11-speed hub is a high-quality internal hub gear system known for its reliability and smooth shifting. Whether you choose it for a 20" or a 24" wheel depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here's a quick comparison to help you decide:

20" Wheels Advantages:

Compact and Maneuverable: Smaller wheels are more nimble, making the bike easier to handle, especially in tight spaces. Portability: Often used in folding bikes, which are convenient for commuting and storage. Sturdiness: Less wheel flex, which can be beneficial for stability and durability in some conditions. Disadvantages:

Ride Comfort: Smaller wheels can provide a harsher ride because they don’t roll over obstacles as smoothly as larger wheels. Speed and Efficiency: Smaller wheels generally have higher rolling resistance and may be less efficient on long rides compared to larger wheels. 24" Wheels Advantages:

Better Ride Quality: Larger than 20" wheels, so they offer a smoother ride and better rolling over rough surfaces. More Efficient: Typically, they have lower rolling resistance compared to 20" wheels, which can be advantageous for longer distances. Versatility: Often used in a variety of bikes, including some kids' bikes and certain adult bikes designed for specific purposes. Disadvantages:

Bulkier: Slightly less compact, which may affect portability if that’s a concern. Handling: While still nimble, the handling might not be as sharp as with 20" wheels. Summary For commuting and portability: 20" wheels might be better if you need a compact bike that’s easy to store and maneuver in tight spaces. For comfort and efficiency: 24" wheels generally offer a better ride quality and are more efficient for longer rides or varied terrain. Ultimately, the choice between 20" and 24" wheels depends on your riding preferences and the specific use case for your bike. If possible, test riding bikes with both wheel sizes can give you the best sense of which works better for you.

which one will be faster ChatGPT When it comes to speed, larger wheels generally have an advantage over smaller wheels, including the comparison between 20" and 24" wheels. Here's why:

24" Wheels: Rolling Efficiency: Larger wheels tend to have lower rolling resistance compared to smaller wheels. This means they roll over obstacles and rough surfaces more easily and maintain speed better once you get going. Speed Maintenance: With a larger diameter, 24" wheels cover more ground per revolution, which can help in maintaining higher speeds, especially on smooth surfaces. Better Handling at Higher Speeds: Larger wheels generally provide a smoother ride and better stability at higher speeds. 20" Wheels: Acceleration: Smaller wheels can accelerate faster due to their reduced rotational inertia. However, once you reach cruising speed, they can be less efficient compared to larger wheels. Rolling Resistance: Higher rolling resistance can mean that while 20" wheels may accelerate quickly, they may not maintain speed as efficiently as larger wheels over longer distances. Conclusion For sheer speed and efficiency on the road, 24" wheels are generally faster compared to 20" wheels, especially over longer distances or smoother terrain. They tend to offer better rolling efficiency and stability at higher speeds. However, if you're looking for quick acceleration and maneuverability in tight spaces, 20" wheels can be advantageous.