Irishred

What's the widest tire I can put on an EZ Sport recumbent?

VegasTriker

OEM tires are Kenda Kwest 1.5" tires. Check how much space you have between the side of the tire and the fork. Can you get a wider tire between the OEM Avid SD-5 brakes? Those two are probably going to be what limits how wide a tire you can use.

bkaapcke

What are you trying to achieve with a wider tire? bk

Irishred

I'm going to ride off-road bike trails on mostly hard dirt...no technical stuff. I'm too old for that

Fullcount

I have 1.75 tires on mine with plenty of room for the fenders. Could possibly go wider on the frame, but the brakes are good now - no need to take them any wider.

Irishred

I'd like to go to 2" to go off-road, but concerned about the fender tab. I'm not putting fenders on it.
Whatdayathink?

Fullcount

Don't thing you will have an issue with the clearance. I have fenders on mine and I have a good half inch clearance between the wheel and the fender....all the way around. My concern would be the brakes reaching around the fatter tire. I am away from my bike, but I will snap another picture of the fender and the breaks later tonight.

Fullcount

Question, you had any issues with sore butt / blisters on these seats? Trying to find if there is a solution for longer miles without sore butt syndrome.

Irishred

Well actually I went to an upholstery shop and bought a two inch thick piece of foam rubber larger than the seat area then trimmed it down to the form of the seat. I used a razor blade. It works really well but does stretch the seat cover a bit...it's very giving. What the pain is commonly referred to is "RECUMBENT BUTT" which mostly newer riders experience. It usually does go away once you have ridden a few hundred miles or so (not all on one ride of course) on your bent.

Fullcount

Front Wheel Clearance between the wheel and fender

Plenty of room between the brake levers and the tire. Note the clearance on the fork.

Fullcount

Plenty of clearance between fender mount area and wheel - 1.75"

Clearance between frame and brake levers - plenty of room

Fullcount

Thanks for the input. Seems my seat has plenty of padding...maybe too much. I am used to a Brooks saddle on two of my DF bikes. Got this EZ Sport to help alleviate some wrist pain and trying to build up some leg and butt longevity. On the rear end, I seem to be getting blisters due to the peddling action and my rear end rubbing. I am trying different riding shorts and compression shorts. Have not come up with the right forumla yet. Love this new recumbent and want it to be my long distance rando ride or touring bike.

As far as the original question, I took some pictures and posted them for your review. I do not think you will have any issue with 2" tires, especially if you are not using fenders. Shucks, I think you could still mount fenders and the 2" tires. Hope the pictures helped in your search. Let me know how the rail trail rides go.

Irishred

Thanks for the great pics. Yes, I'll keep you posted on the off-road thing and tires. It may be a few weeks before I get the tires.
Good luck with your seat.

Irishred

OK I mounted a 1.95 Kenda on the rear and 1.75 Kenda on the front of the EZ Sport with plenty of space left for 2" before the snow comes this winter. Off road on dirt trail was a blast. Jiggled my giblets though (:

bjjoondo 

Here's a set of tires that might work for you and not be "too wide", https://www.schwalbetires.com/Marathon-GT-365

BlazingPedals

Blisters usually imply moisture and chafing. Is there a moisture management problem, Fullcount? If so, you may want to replace your seat cover. A lot of recumbent riders just use plain street clothes; one thing they like about recumbents is that you don't need padded shorts.

The first thing to try for recumbent butt is, if possible, to recline the seat a notch.