5 mph

My Giant Talon comes with 29 x 2.1 Schwalbe Rapid Rob Tires. I'm a bit new to bikes; used to b a runner. Can I fit a 29 x 2.25 tire on this rim or does it specifically have to be a 29 x 2 .1 Tire?

Thank you in advance 5 mph

Iride01 

Somewhere on that tire is likely to be the ISO size of the tire, formerly the ETRTO size which is the best thing to know when buying a tire, IMO.

It'll probably be in some of the tiniest print on the tire that embossed in the sidewall.. Some makers actually make it more prominent though. The format will be 622 x nn if your tire is a real 29'er tire. What ever the smaller number is, that is your current tires width in millimeters which probably doesn't include the knobbies sticking out. Just the width nominal width of the casing.

But knowing that, you can look on your bike and find the most limiting clearance between the tire and things like stays, fork, seat tube or brake calipers if rim brake. Then decide how much of that you'll be comfortable filling with a bigger tire and then add that number of millimeters to your current tire and then that is probably the max you can go.

Whatever a tire increases in width, you'll also get about the same in height. But the ISO width doesn't include extra rubber for knobbies and sidewalls necessarily. And tire makers still fudge some when they think it makes them seem lighter or better in some way to do so.

FYI, the 622 is the BSD or bead seat diameter of the tire. Knowing that number you'll always know if the tire you are thinking about getting has a good chance of fitting your rim.

Bigbus

I wouldn't hesitate to put up to a 2.5" tire on that rim. You won't have any problems. If you want larger than that you'll need to get some measurements first. Welcome to the bike world,

dsbrantjr

Make certain that you check the clearance everywhere; on two of my bikes the limiting clearance for the rear tire is the front derailleur mechanism. Check in all gears as it changes.

Bill Kapaun

I don't know what your intended use is, but if it's simply pavement riding, you may want a tire with a smoother tread.
There's quite a bit of leeway when it comes to styles that will fit.
Your BSD is 622mm, same as "700c road" tires. You can go to a much skinnier tire, within reason.

5 mph

Thanks for your help everybody

cpach

Clearances on those bikes is pretty normal, pretty sure they clear at least a 2.4".

Bigbus

Different tire mfg's are different actual dim's also. My 2.5" Deliums are narrower than the 2.35" Bontrager which are more like balloons. Still, on that particular bike you shouldn't have any problems with up to 2.5" unless you get chain rub in the lowest gearing. The forks and other components shouldn't give you any problems. 2.25" will work great. But like Bill mentions, you might consider a smoother tread pattern if all you're using it on is pavement or groomed trails. Good luck,

5 mph

Actually good thing you posted...I took my second spill on gravel today..on the side of a road
..its always gravel and I wasn't doing anything crazy..(I just bought this bike and am making it like new, did the fork and brakes this weekend) I am still using the worn tires on them, dont laugh, they look like road tires...I will post a picture later...is that why I am taking these spills on gravel? half of my riding is on trails and half is on road...I am not doing stunt riding or jumps or the real mountain bike thing....
I waited to do the tires last because I wanted to think it through....
plan to be riding through the winter....
.
..

GrainBrain

What's your tire pressure? I run my 2.2" tires at 30-35psi with tubes.

5 mph

58 psi is what it says on both the tires. They are pretty bald. Gravel abrasions on the skin are very unpleasant. Both times I broke the fall with the same hand and I am going to start wear gloves.

GrainBrain

Whoa that's probably max pressure. Drop your tire pressure down to 35psi. Gloves do help.

5 mph

Revisited the scenes today. Tried to figure out what happened. It all came back ... both spills happened when I was simultaneously turning and braking on deep gravel... maybe better riders can, but I can't

5 mph

thanks

cpach

You have finite traction: you can use it to either turn or brake. Also running max pressure offroad is a terrible, awful idea. With tubes I'd probably run about 35PSI on a XC bike with 2.3s, at 185lbs. I usually run 26/24 PSI tubeless on 2.3s.

Basically you want to lower pressure until:
-Pinch flats become a problem (much less of a problem tubeless, almost never a problem tubeless with a tire insert)
-Handling becomes sloppy.