Rear wheel size

[jeffcooper]

I am very happy with my KX250 KDX hybrid, but have started to look for new tyres - and am just realising that there don't seem to be any 19" enduro road legal tyres available - so I might have to put the KDX rear wheel into the KX frame/swingarm. But why ??? what is it about 18" that is so much better for trail/enduro than a 19" wheel, anyone know ?

Quick edit - now finding lots of 19" road legals (Doh!)

But still would like to know what opinions of 19" compared to 18" on the trail rather than the MX track

 

[DBragg]

Most riders will not feel the difference between the 18" and 19" wheels. The 19" wheels (IIRC) came about in the late 80's or early 90's as a weight reduction feature to improve handling on MX bikes. Off road bikes tend to run in a wider variety of conditions on any given ride as opposed to an MX bike that runs on the same track all day. The 18" tires have a taller side wall that provides a better cushion against rim damage. Ultimately thats the biggest difference. I ride with friends that have 19" rear wheels that are just fine for off road use. Im not convinced that I would go out of my way to put an 18" wheel on a bike that came with a 19" or vice versa.

 

[motopsycho87]

Change it if you can, tyre selection for 19" is rubbish if you want enduro legal / road legal tyres. My 200SR actually came with 19" rear, had to hunt long and hard for a second set, but now it is cheap as hell to get replacement tyres!