Feeling uncomfortable when riding on rough terrain, rocky areas, and even on the road is always annoying. The essence of riding most times is leisure. You won’t be able to meet your average biking speed if a bike doesn’t suit you, and the first thing to consider in a suitable bike is the size of the bike.
However, one of the most popular bike sizes is a 28-inch bike. It’s a bike size for adults, while a kid under 15 can’t ride it. Now, the question is, what size person is suitable for a 28-inch bike?
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28 Inch Bike For What Size Person?
Typically, a 28-inch bike is suitable for riders between 6’0″ – 6’3″ (193cm) tall, which means a rider below 6’0″ can’t ride it comfortably. However, not only your height that matters; your inseam length should also be considered. The perfect inseam length for a 28-inch bike is 28 – 33 inches; anything below should be considered for 26,24 and 20 inches bikes.
Also, a 28-inch bike is a hybrid bike that can also serve as a mountain bike or road bike, depending on your choice. Here, you will understand what a 28-inch bike is in detail and some other relevant information you should know.
Keep reading.
What Does A 28 Inch Bike Mean?
A 28-inch bike is a bike whose wheels are 28 inches in size. This means the ‘wheel size’ of your bike has to be 28 inches before you can call it a 28-inch bike. The wheel size of a bike consists of the wheel or rim diameter and the outer tire diameter.
You can measure your wheel size by placing your tape measure on the outer edge of your tire and then extending it through the center in a straight line to the other end of the tire. You can also measure from the center to the outer edge of the tire in a straight line and after this step, multiply your result by 2.
It is easy to think that certain wheel size is the best, but this is not true. Some people may also like the fancy large tires of a 28-inch bike, but this is not a requirement for purchasing one. What then is an important factor for you to consider before purchasing one? It is your height and your inseam length.
What Height Does A 28-Inch Bike Fit?
You need to know which bike sizes can accommodate riders of various heights to pick the one that best suits you. A bike that best suits you will be comfortable and easy to maneuver. You will also derive satisfaction while riding it.
However, if your height is 6’0” to 6’3″ with an inseam length of 28 to 33 inches, you should consider getting a 28-inch bike. Your inseam length is the distance from the uppermost part of your thigh to your ankle.
The table below, regarded as a size chart for bikes, will give you precise details of different riders’ heights and the bikes they can fit in.
| Wheel size | Height of Rider (inches) | Inseam Length (inches) |
| 24 – inch | 4’3” – 4’11” | 24 – 29 |
| 26 – inch | 4’10 – 5’7” | 25 – 30 |
| 27.5 inch | 5’5” – 6’0” | 26 – 32 |
| 28 – inch | 6’0” – 6’3” | 28 – 33 |
| 29 – inch | 6’1” 6’6” | 29 – 34 |
What Age Is A 28 Inch Bike For?
Another factor to consider alongside height is the age of the rider. Knowing the age will give you a mental picture of the person that can ride a 28-inch bike.
We can confidently say that adults (18 and above) can ride a 28-inch bike. But, don’t forget that this adult has to be 6’0”- 6’3” tall.
It is abnormal for a 7-year-old child to be 6’3”. Some 15, 16, and 17-year-olds can attain that height, making them qualified for choosing a 28-inch bike though.
Category Of 28 Inch Bike
28-inch bikes are of different categories, and each category serves a specific purpose.
The types of 28-inch bikes are road, mountain, and hybrid bikes. These bikes serve the following purposes.
- Road bikes are used for racing and moving from place to place on smooth and hard surfaces, usually made of concrete or asphalt.
- Mountain bikes are used for cycling on mountain trails and surfaces that are not level (unpaved surfaces). These surfaces may contain rocks, pebbles, dirt, and steep areas because they are prone to erosion.
- A hybrid bike is a combination of road and mountain bikes. Hence, hybrid bike can be used for cycling on different surfaces.
The 28-inch bike has almost the same features as the 700c, likewise mountain bike, which is 29er. While 29 is the maximum wheel size, a bike can have it if the outer tire diameter is large. This means the outer tire diameter for a 28-inch will not be as large as that of a 29er.
This brings us to a piece of important information which is their wheel or rim diameters. 700c road bikes and 29er mountain bikes have the same wheel diameter. The value of their diameter is 622 millimeters or 24.5 inches. Therefore, the outer tire diameter is the fraction added for the 24.5-inch wheel diameter to have a wheel size of 28 inches.
Differences Among The Various Categories Of 28-Inch Bike
700c is a French naming system for road bikes. ‘700’ refers to the bike’s tire diameter, and ‘c’ is the tire width. One of the differences between 28-inch, 700c road bikes and 29ers (mountain bikes) is their tire width. 700c road bike has thinner tires compared to mountain bikes . Other differences are represented in a tabular form below.
| Road bikes | Mountain bikes | Hybrid bikes |
| They do not have a suspension | They have suspension | Many do not have suspension |
| Most lightweight | Less Lightweight | More Lightweight |
| Fastest with an aerodynamic frame | Slower | Faster than mountain bikes with an aerodynamic frame |
| It comes with drop – handlebars | It comes with flat – handlebars | It comes with Flat – handlebars |
| Designed to be used on the road [paved surfaces] | Designed for rough and rugged terrain | Designed for both paved and off-road riding [general purpose riding] |
Having viewed their differences from the table, I’ll explain some terms mentioned in the table for a more precise understanding:
Suspension
A suspension contains a spring and a damper. It is a component present in 28-inch Mountain bikes to absorb large shocks from bumpy and rough surfaces. The suspension keeps the bike and the rider balanced whenever the tires interact with the rough terrain.
Lightweight
As the name implies, lightweight is the weight that is light (not heavy). The lightweight of a bike is one less than the average weight.
The lightweight of your bike plays a crucial role in increasing your bike’s speed. The lighter the bike, the easier it will be for you to increase the speed. A bike’s suspension is a heavy component, and this contributes to the heavyweight of mountain bikes. Also, if the frame size of your 28-inch bike is large, the bike’s weight will be heavy.
Aerodynamic
Aerodynamics talks about the bike having a shape that reduces the drag force of air moving past it. This drag force is a resistive force; it opposes the bike’s motion.
28-inch road and hybrid bikes have an aerodynamic frame to overcome drag force, move fast, aid stability, and better handling.
Differences Between A 26-Inch Bike And A 28-Inch Bike
Wheel Size
The size of the wheels is a noticeable difference. Beginners can spot that difference easily, but it may be difficult to understand that a 26-inch bike has a wheel diameter of 22 inches (559mm), not 26 inches. The simple explanation is wheel size doesn’t mean wheel diameter only. What makes the wheel size is the wheel diameter and the outer diameter of the tire.
However, 26-inch bikes, in comparison with 28-inch bikes, have a smaller wheel diameter (559mm or 22 inches) while that of the latter is 24.5 inches or 622mm.
Another difference between them is their tire width. This is what is responsible for skinny-looking tires. If the tire width is small, the tires look tiny and skinny, but if the tire width is large, the tires look wide. Hence, it won’t be easy to switch their tires. That is, using a tire designed with the appropriate values for a 28-inch bike for a 26-inch bike. In this case, the larger 28-inch wheels will hardly fit into the smaller 26-inch frame.
Height Of Riders That Can Fit In
Due to the larger wheel sizes of 28-inch bikes, these bikes will accommodate taller riders. So, persons with a height range of 6’0” to 6’3” and an inseam length of 28 to 33 inches can fit in a 28-inch bike. As for 26-inch bikes, riders that are 4’10” to 5’7” tall with an inseam length of 13 to 16 inches can best fit in.
Bike Speed
26-inch bikes are commonly known as mountain bikes. Mountain bikes are not designed for racing, so they are not fast as road bikes. However, what is peculiar about the 26-inch bike is that it has improved traction. The smaller wheels of this bike account for its ability to transmit torque (force) to the ground.
28-inch bikes are faster than 26-inch bikes. 29ers are faster because of their large wheel diameter, which will be able to travel a farther distance when it makes one complete cycle.
Pros And Cons Of A 28-Inch Bike
Pros
- It is a comfortable bike for tall individuals to fit in and ride.
- You can maintain a good average speed with a 28-inch bike.
- It comes in various categories, so you get to choose which one will serve your desired purpose. For example, if it is racing, 28-inch road bikes will be your choice.
- 29ers easily roll over obstacles like bumps and stones.
Cons
- Less maneuverability than bikes with smaller diameters.
- Not a suitable bike for short riders.
- They are harder to fit in a car when traveling because of their size. They also require enormous space for storage.
- It is more expensive than its smaller wheel counterparts. The bike parts are also more expensive.
Conclusion
If you are interested in purchasing a bike for yourself or your friend, the height and inseam length will influence your decision. If your height or that of your friend’s falls within the range of 6’0”- 6’3” with a corresponding inseam length of 28 – 33 inches, get a 28-inch bike.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Size Is A 28-Inch Bike Frame?
Generally speaking, 28-inch bikes do not have specific frame sizes. Moreover, 28-inch bikes are in several categories: the 700c Road bikes, 29ers (Mountain bikes), and hybrid bikes. The largest frame size found in road bikes is 24.8 inches or 63cm, and 24 inches for mountain and hybrid bikes.
Is A 28-Inch Bike Too Big?
A 28-inch bike is not too big compared to a 29-inch bike. If you are 6’3”, a 28-inch bike is suitable for you. If you are taller, a 29-inch bike is the recommended bike size for you. If you are shorter than 6’0”, a 28-inch bike will be big for you, so you should consider using a 24-inch or 26-inch bike.
How Tall Should You Be For A 28-Inch Bike?
If your height falls within the range of 6’0” to 6’3”, and your inseam length is within 28 to 33 inches, a 28-inch bike is best suited for you.
Can I Use A 28-Inch Bike?
The factors you should look out for before riding a 28-inch bike are a height of 6’0 – 6’3 and an inseam length of 28 – 33 inches. If you meet this requirement, you can use this bike. 28-inch bikes are used for racing (road bikes), on unpaved surfaces (mountain bikes), and hybrid bikes are used for general-purpose riding.
How Big Are 28 Wheels?
28-inch bikes have a wheel size of 28. They have a wheel diameter of 622mm or 24.5 inches.
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