Lazyass

Anyone doing this? I'm looking at the Stan's Arch EX 29's on sale for $297, they have a 21mm inner diameter which I think is pretty narrow for an MTB but would be fine for me. Thoughts?

Performance Wheelhouse -- Stan's Arch EX 29 Mountain Bike Wheelset

NormanF

The main limiting factor in tire size fit on a gravel bike is the fork width and seatstays. What tires are you hoping to mount?

Lazyass

Jack Brown 33.3's on a '17 Diverge.

NormanF

On a Diverge you might be able to go 35 c. Will the tires you want fit on your current wheelset?

Lazyass

They'll fit, I have 32's on right now. Plenty of room.

I see the Stan's Crest are only $10 more and they're lighter at 1700g. Those would be even better.

TimothyH

I'm running 29er wheels on my gravel bike.

American Classic 29" MTB Race wheels are 24 mm inside width. 35 mm Schwalbe G-One tires measure 38.1 mm actual on these wheels.

Width isn't the only issue. Make sure your choice of cassette will work with the hub. IIRC some MTB freehubs are narrower and won't work with 11 speed road cassettes as the road cassette is wider. I'm open to correction here.


-Tim-

Lazyass

I just realized my stock Axis wheels are 21mm. That must be why the Espoir Sport 30c tire measures 32. So going by that, a 33.3 could be close to 36c. Should be just enough clearance.

TimothyH

Many manufacturers make tires wider than what the label says.

Similar to women's clothing.


-Tim-

Lazyass

I know that, but the only tire I ever had that was 2mm bigger than labeled was a Krylion. Most are pretty close. 21mm is a wide road rim, I don't know if Specialized sized it a 30c for that width.

gravelfan

I put my buddy's ENVE M50s on my Niner. Worked well and had a blast playing on the fire roads. Wide rims rock..

Canker

Almost no mtn bike freehubs are compatible with 11 speed road cassettes. The only ones I know of that are are Mavics.

tyrion

It's subjective, hard to quantify, but that is our lot in life. I definitely think the closer your tire size is to the rim size, the better it feels, the overall better it handles.

My bike has Mavic A319 rims, about 19mm inner width, now I'm using 35mm Schwalbe Supremes and they are good and tight on hard surfaces, but I have some 42mm Specialized 42m Sawtooths coming in 2 days. I know they're going to be mushy in hard cornering but comfortable overall.

TimothyH

American Classic 29" MTB Race wheels will work with 11-speed road cassettes. They are now sold as Race 29/700.

Road cassettes bolt right on. Just install and ride.


-Tim-