Smaller Diameter Wheels - What's the advantage?

[AdamHeard]

Smaller wheels have a huge number of advantages.

They force you to make a lower frame, which helps you put a lot of components real low.

They require less torque to travel the same speed, so you need less gear reduction, and there is less load in your gearing; this allows you to make it all lighter, resulting in weight savings.

They are physically smaller, and since volume of a wheel is related to the radius squared, the weight savings are pretty substantial. Our wheels were .23 lbs each this year. This also allows them to be machined quicker and with less material, this is a cost and/or time savings depending on if you make or buy them.

Anyone who says you can't climb with small wheels is just ignorant as well. Both 254 and us had small wheels, and could climb the bump no problem (with a decent battery).