tire size vs rim size
05-20-23, 09:25 AM
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tire size vs rim size
As a proper example, could I mount a 700x23 on a rim which currently has a 700x32 mounted on it, and vice versa?
I think the standard rims, I could be wrong, is 18-23, 25-32, 35-43???, etc. At least my 32 is a bigger width rim than my 23. Can you cross mount? I have tried to mount a 23 on a 32 wheel, but didn't ride it. It seemed like it was holding to the rim fine when fully inflated. I found another 23 wheel I had laying around and used it instead, once I found it. Right now I'm mostly wondering for future reference so I know how 'prepared' I need to be ahead of time, as well as how I want to prepare.
I think the standard rims, I could be wrong, is 18-23, 25-32, 35-43???, etc. At least my 32 is a bigger width rim than my 23. Can you cross mount? I have tried to mount a 23 on a 32 wheel, but didn't ride it. It seemed like it was holding to the rim fine when fully inflated. I found another 23 wheel I had laying around and used it instead, once I found it. Right now I'm mostly wondering for future reference so I know how 'prepared' I need to be ahead of time, as well as how I want to prepare.
05-20-23, 09:46 AM
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See attached article from Sheldon Brown: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
About 7/8 of the way down the page, he discusses and shows a chart of rim v tire widths. I'd start with this as a guide.
About 7/8 of the way down the page, he discusses and shows a chart of rim v tire widths. I'd start with this as a guide.
05-20-23, 09:46 AM
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You need to know the rim's ISO size. Which will look something like an ISO tire size. It tells you the internal width across the bead seat.
Then you can go to charts that suggest reasonable sizes you can consider for that rim. None are exact and some people successfully use tires outside of the recommended. And if you use the charts of some manufacturers they may differ slightly in their recommendations. So you might consider seeing if the manufacturer for your tire has their own recommendation or not.
Near the bottom part of this article there is a generic chart.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
Then you can go to charts that suggest reasonable sizes you can consider for that rim. None are exact and some people successfully use tires outside of the recommended. And if you use the charts of some manufacturers they may differ slightly in their recommendations. So you might consider seeing if the manufacturer for your tire has their own recommendation or not.
Near the bottom part of this article there is a generic chart.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
05-20-23, 10:06 AM
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See attached article from Sheldon Brown: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
About 7/8 of the way down the page, he discusses and shows a chart of rim v tire widths. I'd start with this as a guide.
About 7/8 of the way down the page, he discusses and shows a chart of rim v tire widths. I'd start with this as a guide.
Like I said I tried to mount a 23 on a 32 and I knew it looked questionable. Now I'm looking at maybe trying to mount some kind of mountain bike tire on a rim which currently has 32 on it. That plus also in any case I would need back up tires for the bike it is mounted to since it is the only rideable bike I currently have and I don't own a car. Kinda becomes a matter of knowing how far to I can push things and get away with it
I'm already pushing using road bike tires on single track Getting away it and unbelievably loving it. Said I would never ride off-road. OOPSThanks.
05-20-23, 10:13 AM
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As a minimum, I want the width of the tire to be more than the external width of the rim. Think of coasting into a curb at a very acute angle. I want rubber to hit the curb, not metal.
My personal max is 2.2x rim width. Other people may go wider. I don't find a need to.
My personal max is 2.2x rim width. Other people may go wider. I don't find a need to.
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05-20-23, 10:31 AM
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Sheldon's tire width chart is hogwash. The famous Velocity A23 rim has an internal width of 18mm and is designed for 23c tires. The first lightweight mountain rims were standard road rims like the Mavic MA40 and Matrix Iso CII rolled down to 26" and were paired with 2" tires. According to the chart, both of these incredibly common combinations are unacceptable.
05-21-23, 12:35 PM
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As a minimum, I want the width of the tire to be more than the external width of the rim. Think of coasting into a curb at a very acute angle. I want rubber to hit the curb, not metal.
My personal max is 2.2x rim width. Other people may go wider. I don't find a need to.
My personal max is 2.2x rim width. Other people may go wider. I don't find a need to.
05-21-23, 05:19 PM
#8
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Don't forget being able to insert/remove a fully inflated tire through the brake pads.
It's really a pain to have to deflate a tire to do that.
It's really a pain to have to deflate a tire to do that.
