Bigger wheels will roll easier over obstacles than smaller wheels and can maintain higher speeds on rough terrain. The main wheel sizes available on mountain bikes are 26”, 27.5” and 29”. Choosing the right wheel diameter for you can huffy bikes help narrow down your search and help you find the perfect bike to fit your needs. This chart is a great starting point, but isn’t always the definitive answer due to varying frame geometry and riders having unique proportions.
MTB frame designs today have quite low standover heights, so it’s never a worry that it’ll be difficult to swing your leg over the frame to mount the bike or that you won’t be able to comfortably straddle the frame. That said, always check you have enough clearance to allow for quick and safe dismounts. Bike manufacturers like Trek and Giant have realized that matching smaller wheels to smaller frames can make for a better overall fit. Trek’s Smart Wheel Size approach pairs 29” wheels with M, L, and XL frames and puts 27.5” wheels on XS and S frame sizes.
Feeling cramped, high knees while pedaling, and sitting too upright can be signs that your bike is too small. The reach, or horizontal distance from the bottom bracket to the center of the head tube, should be long enough that you can have a good range of motion both in and out of the saddle. The company lost much of its market share in the 1980s after failing to capitalize on the mountain-bike craze and losing its appeal to younger bikers. Huffy, which makes bicycles and basketball backboards, has suffered in recent years because of competition from foreign manufacturers.
If you are on the hunt for a retro bike or are fixing up that bike in the garage, odds are it’s paired with a 26” wheelset. Remember that back in the day almost all mountain bikers regardless of height rode bikes with 26” wheels, so if that’s what works for you, feel free to buck the current trend of larger rims. A 26” mountain bike is the ideal set-up for younger riders or shorter adults who are between 4’10” and 5’5”. This smaller size is also great for riders that are not as confident on the trails. The smaller diameter 26” wheels are more agile out on the trails and are easier for shorter riders to maneuver over tricky terrain. Large wheels also have a larger contact patch, meaning more rubber touches the ground to boost traction.
The new frame was approximately 4″ to 5″ longer than previous models. In 1968, in an effort to market a children’s bicycle with an automotive theme, Huffman designers added a car-type steering wheel in place of handlebars to the Rail frame, which became the Huffy Wheel. Since wheelbase is essentially a measurement of the frame from one end to the other, wheelbase is made up of other metrics like reach, head tube, angle, and chainstay length added together. It’s important to recognize where the extra length (or lack thereof) is coming from to understand how the overall bike will feel out on the trails. The slightly shorter wheelbase provides a more nimble and zippy ride feel.
Even with all the information and advice out there, there’s nothing like test riding the real thing. If you’re still undecided on which size is right for you or want some additional assistance, our bike experts are ready to help. There can be a little bit of number crunching when it comes to frame geometry, but understanding these metrics is key to getting the most out of your bike. There’s plenty to geek out on but don’t worry, we won’t go too far down the rabbit hole. Sizing down is the right option for people that want a more relaxed, comfortable riding position or like agile and responsive bike handling. The design, product development and marketing (majority of all business functions) for Huffy is based in Dayton, Ohio.
Refunds for web orders issued in-store are able to be refunded to a GIFT CARD or MAILED CHECK ONLY; some exclusions may apply. Stack is the vertical distance between the bottom bracket and the center of the head tube and determines how a bike will feel while pedaling in the saddle. While still an important metric to consider, stack doesn’t change as much as reach does between frame sizes. Standover height is more important for road bikes than it is on modern mountain bikes.