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700c going to 29" wheel size

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700c going to 29" wheel size

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flag jhenry922
Posted: Sep 14, 2024 at 13:34 Quote
I'm not a very tall rider 5'9 or a little bit less and I usually use a bike somewhere around 55 or 56 cm.

I recently threw my leg over a 29 inch wheel sized road bike that was 56 cm and the one thing I noticed is that the height off the ground is quite a bit higher but otherwise I noticed that the bike handles quite well.

It's just that my back is less flexible than it used to be as I'm an older rider, but I'm wondering if anybody is ever taken one of these bikes and just put regular 700c wheels on them? How does this affect handling? Is it less or more stable?
flag jahnboy9000
Posted: Feb 7, 2025 at 9:28 Quote
29" = 700c so I am a bit confused. The main difference between the designations is tire widths. 700c tires are usually 18-50mm labeled, and beyond that they are designated as 29" and are measured in inches (1.5" and up typically, although there is some overlap). I guess manufacturers will label wheels as 29" or 700c based on intended use which can inform internal rim width - narrower for road tires and wider for mountain tires - but there really isn't much difference.

It sounds more like you preferred the geometry of the bike you tried to be honest.
flag dirttorpedo
Posted: Mar 27, 2025 at 9:07 Quote
jahnboy9000 wrote:
29" = 700c so I am a bit confused. The main difference between the designations is tire widths. 700c tires are usually 18-50mm labeled, and beyond that they are designated as 29" and are measured in inches (1.5" and up typically, although there is some overlap). I guess manufacturers will label wheels as 29" or 700c based on intended use which can inform internal rim width - narrower for road tires and wider for mountain tires - but there really isn't much difference.

It sounds more like you preferred the geometry of the bike you tried to be honest.

This is correct. Its my understanding that 29 inch is used to refer to the 622 ETRTO size when used for mountain biking and 700c when used for road bikes. Its made worse because some people call the same wheels 28 inch and back in the 70's / 80's there was a 27 inch wheel size that is actually larger than the 622 ETRTO. Some people convert 700c to 650b/27.5 wheels to lower their bottom bracket / increase tire width using long reach caliper brakes. That doesn't sound like the OP's issue. Generally if you've lost flexibility people raise their handlebars / bring them closer to the saddle to allow for a more upright riding position.
flag Webby9
Posted: Jul 10, 2025 at 17:20 Quote
Hey man, really appreciate your post — I’m in a pretty similar spot. I’m just under 5'9" too and totally get what you mean about the height on some of those 29" setups. It’s interesting how they handle well but still feel like you’re sitting “on” the bike rather than “in” it, if that makes sense.

Curious to hear more about your experience with switching wheel sizes — I’ve wondered the same. Especially with aging flexibility and fit, sometimes small changes like wheel size or cockpit tweaks make a big difference. Have you experimented with stem length or bar height too?
flag dirttorpedo
Posted: Jul 15, 2025 at 9:14 Quote
Webby9 wrote:
Hey man, really appreciate your post — I’m in a pretty similar spot. I’m just under 5'9" too and totally get what you mean about the height on some of those 29" setups. It’s interesting how they handle well but still feel like you’re sitting “on” the bike rather than “in” it, if that makes sense.

Curious to hear more about your experience with switching wheel sizes — I’ve wondered the same. Especially with aging flexibility and fit, sometimes small changes like wheel size or cockpit tweaks make a big difference. Have you experimented with stem length or bar height too?

Have you thought about trying a smaller sized frame or a bike with a compact style frame (i.e. sloping top tube like modern Giant road bikes use)? Another thing you could do is try out some women specific geometry bikes (you might find that your body proportions are more suited to that style of frame).
flag kaitlyn94
Posted: Sep 6, 2025 at 17:20 Quote
Hey! I totally get the height concern I’m 5’4” and sometimes feel like I’m climbing onto a horse with some 29ers! But like others said, 700c and 29" are actually the same wheel diameter the real difference is usually tire width and rim design. If you’re feeling too high off the ground, you could try slimmer 700c tires (like 28-32mm) on those rims to drop the stack a tiny bit and keep that smooth ride. Also, playing with stem angle or a riser bar can help you sit more upright without sacrificing stability. Comfort > everything, especially as we get wiser (aka older )! Hope that helps!
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