Question of mass & physics
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Question of mass & physics
Can using a larger volume tire like a 28 in anyway help with weight distribution on a wheelset with a rider weight limit?
can chubby use bigger tires inorder to ride his lightweight wheels ?
or is fat just fat and im to fat
can chubby use bigger tires inorder to ride his lightweight wheels ?
or is fat just fat and im to fat
#2
Optically Corrected
Need more information...
What is the recommended maximum weight for the wheelset?
What is your weight?
What style/conditions do you ride in?
What is the recommended maximum weight for the wheelset?
What is your weight?
What style/conditions do you ride in?
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Wider tires generally weigh more then narrower ones (all other things the same) so, yes, "weight distribution" does change. It moves more to the outer part of the wheel where the wider tire is. But I don't think that is really what you ask about.
Wider tires will better protect any rim from impacts. They tend to smoothen out the ride by better absorbing shock. But the load the rim sees is still the same, so to for the spokes.
In my ideal world riders use tires that are size/grade/design agreeable with the rider's needs/expectations, independent of the rim/wheel . Of course both have to be compatible with each other.
Don't expect wider tires to extend wheel life of make a too fragile wheel survive an overloaded situation. Andy
Wider tires will better protect any rim from impacts. They tend to smoothen out the ride by better absorbing shock. But the load the rim sees is still the same, so to for the spokes.
In my ideal world riders use tires that are size/grade/design agreeable with the rider's needs/expectations, independent of the rim/wheel . Of course both have to be compatible with each other.
Don't expect wider tires to extend wheel life of make a too fragile wheel survive an overloaded situation. Andy
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i go about 215 lbs got old school rolph wheels siestre 1600gms i think 200lb limit ride style smoove only paved roads no drama on the bike in question just had them trued steel frame bike
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I'd be worried about spoke count. Fatter tires will protect the rims more.
#6
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No. For most of us light weight components are a waste of money. When we get down to 6% body fat then we can worry about component weight.
#7
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Having a wider tire or larger air volume will not increase maximum weight limit of the wheels.
-Tim-
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Free body analysis: The distance between axles will not change, thus the weight distribution will not change.
Force path analysis: The rider's weight must be borne by the axles, bearings, hub shells, spokes, and rims regardless of tires.
#9
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A fatter tire will reduce peak impacts when hitting curbs, pot holes etc.
IF you rims are rated for a 200 lb. rider, a 215 lb. rider on SMOOTH pavement shouldn't be an issue.
IF you rims are rated for a 200 lb. rider, a 215 lb. rider on SMOOTH pavement shouldn't be an issue.
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Thus, there would be reason to believe that if one is very borderline, that it may tip one over the edge towards potentially being OK.
Also be careful with your riding. Watch the bumps.
But, as above, there might be benefits of building slightly stronger wheels.
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I am very impressed with the technical answers and as usual we have many others that vary. I think I will just diet some more as weight is weight and I do not want to die on the road as I squeeze into my lycra just to have wheel failure...
The uber lightness is alluring when compared to the Mavic Askiums
The uber lightness is alluring when compared to the Mavic Askiums
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No diet needed. Just go on long rides, and eat what you would normally eat, had you not ridden that day. This will create a caloric deficit, and the weight will drop off slowly and naturally.
That's how I did it anyway, your health situation and mileage may vary.
That's how I did it anyway, your health situation and mileage may vary.
#13
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23 to 28 is insignificant to this scheme of yours..
buy wheels with a greater spoke count... for a better sense of security..
buy wheels with a greater spoke count... for a better sense of security..
#14
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I'm a heavier 200+ lb rider myself. For reasons of safety I prefer larger tires. Larger tires = more rubber and, are generally more resistant to flats. It's one thing to get a flat tire when you're a 150 lb teenage boy. It's quite a different matter when you're a 220lb 63 year old man. One of my current favorite tires is the Michelin Pro-Tek series. They're a littler bigger than other bike tires. And, so far so good. No bad flats yet.
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I am very impressed with the technical answers and as usual we have many others that vary. I think I will just diet some more as weight is weight and I do not want to die on the road as I squeeze into my lycra just to have wheel failure...
The uber lightness is alluring when compared to the Mavic Askiums
The uber lightness is alluring when compared to the Mavic Askiums
Don't listen to too many people. You know what to do. Good luck and please post your progress.
-Tim-
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I'm a heavier 200+ lb rider myself. For reasons of safety I prefer larger tires. Larger tires = more rubber and, are generally more resistant to flats. It's one thing to get a flat tire when you're a 150 lb teenage boy. It's quite a different matter when you're a 220lb 63 year old man. One of my current favorite tires is the Michelin Pro-Tek series. They're a littler bigger than other bike tires. And, so far so good. No bad flats yet.
Additionally, a flat tire is just a flat tire. Weight of the rider makes no difference and age of the rider certainly doesn’t make any difference.
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Your idea is a bit too simplistic. If you ride heavy in the saddle, a wider tire might help a little but only a little. If you ride light in the saddle, it won’t make a difference. It’s known as “ballerinas who ride like gorillas and gorillas who ride like ballerinas.” In other words, even a light rider who slams in potholes and road debris will damage wheels and bikes no matter how large the tires are. A heavy rider who unloads the bike by using their legs and arms as suspension can ride thin tires without worrying about damaging the bike or wheels.
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Looking at it purely from a "mass and physics" point of view for your specific question, as mentioned it's more mass at the circumference so yes the "distribution" changes in that regard. That will add some small amount of stress on the rear spokes and rim as you accelerate (I'd say insignificant compared to extant stresses). On the front wheel, a lesser effect on the wheel itself.
Regarding the increased tire volume, not mass. It will increase the duration of time where peak forces are applied to the wheel (decreasing impulse) so I believe that it DOES help the wheel withstand a greater rider weight. It that's enough to give the lightweight wheels greater longevity, that remains to be seen.
Regarding the increased tire volume, not mass. It will increase the duration of time where peak forces are applied to the wheel (decreasing impulse) so I believe that it DOES help the wheel withstand a greater rider weight. It that's enough to give the lightweight wheels greater longevity, that remains to be seen.
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There's another issue. I weight 245#. I had a pair of Bontrager Race RLs on my bike. A good solid, strong, dependable pair of wheels with a good balance of stiffness and weight. I wanted to upgrade (lighter is better, right?) though, so I got a pair of Paradigm Elites off eBay. They were rated for my weight, but were lighter (and had lighter construction and fewer spokes). I went into my local Trek store, and Bill, a really experienced guy who was the mgr/head mechanic, told me "Given that you're a pretty big guy, I don't think you'll like the ride on those Elites as well as you like the RLs". Bill's usually right on bike issues (to a shocking degree*), and he was here. The Elites are great wheels, but for me the RLs work better. They're heavier with thicker spokes, so they tend not to flex as much. If only I could lose 40 lbs, those Elites would be sweet!
Upshot is that if a mfr suggests a weight limit, and you exceed it, there are two reasons you probably want to find a wheel that's a bit stouter: safety and performance. Your ride will be nicer and more efficient using wheels that match your avoirdupois. I found this to be true, anyway.
*I started working with bikes 45 years ago, and have a PhD in Engineering. So I think I know everything. Until I talk with Bill, who invariably throws out observations that indicate really deep knowledge, or a wrinkle I hadn't thought of. Humbling, but very helpful.
Last edited by WizardOfBoz; 03-18-19 at 12:46 PM.