700x38c Question
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700x38c Question
Hi Guys,
Please don't laugh at my ignorance and noob status. I need a new rim for a tire that says "Bontrager 700x38C". What size wheel/rim do I need to put the same tire/tube back on? I've searched around and looked at the tire sizing but I don't quite understand it. Thanks.
Please don't laugh at my ignorance and noob status. I need a new rim for a tire that says "Bontrager 700x38C". What size wheel/rim do I need to put the same tire/tube back on? I've searched around and looked at the tire sizing but I don't quite understand it. Thanks.
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700 is the diameter, and 38 is the mm in width. A 700 rim is actually 622mm in diameter. Proper rim is going to be roughly a 622-18 rim size. Most manufacturers will list them as 700c though.
-Roger
-Roger
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I purchased a Mavic 700C wheel, but it is a lot narrower than my original wheel. The original tire and tube will not fit on this narrow wheel. Any ideas? Thanks.
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You need size 700C... any rim with a 622 mm bead seat diameter, which are commonly called "hybrid," "road," or "29er".
There are further considerations - do you need front or rear, what type of braking system is used on the bike.
There are further considerations - do you need front or rear, what type of braking system is used on the bike.
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I need a front wheel and the braking is the pull type brake. Can you show me some sites where it lists the size of the wheel for sale? I can't seem to find any quality ones. Thanks.
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If that doesn't work, Niagara Cycle Works has several wheels with 700c rims having outside widths of 25-35mm that should certainly be wide enough. To be sure, ask them about inside width. This one, the Alex X101l, caught my eye because the size is right and Alex wheels are a good value: https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...oducts_id=1021
I've used Niagara for other parts and I find them reliable.
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Generally, tire width should be no more than 1-1/2 to 2 times the inside width of the rim (Sheldon recommended 1.45-2.0 https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html). So for 38 you should be looking at rims with an inner dimension in the 19-23mm range.
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Others on this forum have asserted that Mr. Brown's recommendations for tire and rim width compatibility are on the stingy side.
If you haven't pitched it, you can always measure the old rim.
If you haven't pitched it, you can always measure the old rim.
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I wouldn't even worry about putting a 38mm tire on a very narrow rim. But, then, you probably shouldn't be trying to put 150 psi in it either
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I mean that his ranges are smaller than others would allow. On the other side is generous. The sizing chart that accompanies tires in performancebike.com would be considered generous (and rather vague as to whether it's talking about inside or outside widths, too).
Incidentally, yes, I think that Alex wheel would work very well with a 35mm tire.
Incidentally, yes, I think that Alex wheel would work very well with a 35mm tire.
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One other thing to watch out for - some companies/retailers report their widths as the outside of the rim, some as the inside of the rim. Some give the width but don't state what they're measuring. This is incredibly irritating but something to bear in mind.
Note the widths on Sheldon's web site refer to the inner width of the rim, which is the important part and what is included with the ETRTO standard. That's the number that *should* be reported. But I've seen both. I guesstimated about a 4mm difference between the inner and outer widths, if you find an outer width reported.
Note the widths on Sheldon's web site refer to the inner width of the rim, which is the important part and what is included with the ETRTO standard. That's the number that *should* be reported. But I've seen both. I guesstimated about a 4mm difference between the inner and outer widths, if you find an outer width reported.