What is my actual max tire size capacity?
10-27-21, 01:04 PM
#1
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What is my actual max tire size capacity?
I have a Trek Domane 3 Al Disc (https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...-disc/p/33082/). The factory tires work great for hard surfaces, but I installed some 35mm cyclocross tires to try gravel riding. I find that gravel riding suits me well, but would like to try some larger tires. Trek says that 35mm is the maximum tire size, but my current 35mm tires look like they have miles of clearance and I know that there is a great selection of tires if I can put 38mm tires on the bike. Can anyone help me understand whether 38mm tires could work on my bike?
10-27-21, 01:27 PM
#2
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https://cyclingtips.com/2021/01/trek...disc-4-review/
As stock, the Domane AL Disc is fitted with 32 mm tyres, and without question, these go a long way to making the bike feel as smooth as it is. Impressively the Domane AL Disc can go wider again. Trek officially suggests the frame can fit 35 mm tyres front and rear, just shy of the 38 mm figure it achieves with the latest carbon Domane. But as usual, that quoted figure is on the safe side, so much so that I managed to fit measured 42 mm Continental Terra Trail tyres into the frame front and rear, and the only touching point was the Tiagra front derailleur. And I’d bet a new Shimano GRX front derailleur and matching offset crank would fix this clearance limitation.
10-27-21, 01:31 PM
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The maximum tire width that you can safely user depends on the inside width of the rim. There is a page on the Sheldon Brown website https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html that probably has more information than you need. Check out the part that shows how to measure the inside width of the rim and then go to the chart further down the page (it's bright green and red) that shows what you can safely use.
10-27-21, 01:50 PM
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Really you just have to worry about how much clearance you want between the tires and frame or where ever they will rub first. It's really a personal preference thing and what kind of surface you ride, IMO.
Some wouldn't feel comfortable for their safety with any less than a ¼" . Some might feel comfortable with whatever size won't rub.
If you ride in mud sometimes, then you might want to have more clearance. The gumbo mud around here can stick to your tires and build up even beyond a ¼"..
I tend not to worry too much about rim size because IMO, you'll probably max out your tire size with the frame before you max out the recommended max tire width for that rim. Unless perhaps you have a very old bike from the days of 18 mm tires and even then I doubt you'd exceed the max width rec. first.
Some wouldn't feel comfortable for their safety with any less than a ¼" . Some might feel comfortable with whatever size won't rub.
If you ride in mud sometimes, then you might want to have more clearance. The gumbo mud around here can stick to your tires and build up even beyond a ¼"..
I tend not to worry too much about rim size because IMO, you'll probably max out your tire size with the frame before you max out the recommended max tire width for that rim. Unless perhaps you have a very old bike from the days of 18 mm tires and even then I doubt you'd exceed the max width rec. first.
10-27-21, 01:52 PM
#5
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According to what I can find, the inside width of the rims is 21mm. I found a table (https://www.lightbicycle.com/newslet...cycle-rim.html) that claims a 21mm inside rim width can accommodate all the way up to 43mm tires. I don't want to go that high, and am hoping that 38 will work fine. I am wondering if anyone on here is maybe running 21mm inside width rims and has used 38mm tires and could give their thoughts on how it worked.
10-27-21, 02:02 PM
#6
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I even found a photo that someone took of the inside width of their wheels, so I feel very confident they are 21mm inside width.
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10-27-21, 02:19 PM
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Tires grow in diameter about as much as the change in width. So if you know where on the bike the least amount of clearance is, then you should know how much bigger a tire you can get.... Once you decide how much space you do or don't want to leave.
If you are going for tires with a real aggressive tread or knobbies, then that probably isn't part of any width used in the sizing. Also, using the ISO size will make it easier all around. Don't use any inch sizes written in big letters on the tire.
If you are going for tires with a real aggressive tread or knobbies, then that probably isn't part of any width used in the sizing. Also, using the ISO size will make it easier all around. Don't use any inch sizes written in big letters on the tire.
10-27-21, 02:21 PM
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According to what I can find, the inside width of the rims is 21mm. I found a table (https://www.lightbicycle.com/newslet...cycle-rim.html) that claims a 21mm inside rim width can accommodate all the way up to 43mm tires. I don't want to go that high, and am hoping that 38 will work fine. I am wondering if anyone on here is maybe running 21mm inside width rims and has used 38mm tires and could give their thoughts on how it worked.
The CyclingTips website shows a 42mm tire doesnt even contact any of the frame, so a 38mm tire will be OK there.
The only potential issue is the tire contacting the front derailleur arm. Your r3000 Sora FD is designed the same as the Tiagra FD in the linked review. It has a really long mounting arm and when the chain is in the big ring the FD arm may be in the way. Since you want to use a 38mm tire and what was tested is a 42mm tire, you may be fine.
10-29-21, 06:32 AM
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According to what I can find, the inside width of the rims is 21mm. I found a table (https://www.lightbicycle.com/newslet...cycle-rim.html) that claims a 21mm inside rim width can accommodate all the way up to 43mm tires. I don't want to go that high, and am hoping that 38 will work fine. I am wondering if anyone on here is maybe running 21mm inside width rims and has used 38mm tires and could give their thoughts on how it worked.
If they don't use WAM/RAM, then your best bet is to use something like an Allen wrench as a feeler gauge to see how much room you have in the various tight spots. In general, manufacturers suggest 4mm on each side. Unfortunately, this only gives you guidance on sizing up with the same make/model of tire as measured.
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10-29-21, 06:47 AM
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According to what I can find, the inside width of the rims is 21mm. I found a table (https://www.lightbicycle.com/newslet...cycle-rim.html) that claims a 21mm inside rim width can accommodate all the way up to 43mm tires. I don't want to go that high, and am hoping that 38 will work fine. I am wondering if anyone on here is maybe running 21mm inside width rims and has used 38mm tires and could give their thoughts on how it worked.
10-30-21, 02:37 PM
#12
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A possible problem is the increase in tire diameter. Tires get taller as they get wider. My fork limits the front
tire diameter long before the rear.
tire diameter long before the rear.
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10-30-21, 06:38 PM
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According to what I can find, the inside width of the rims is 21mm. I found a table (https://www.lightbicycle.com/newslet...cycle-rim.html) that claims a 21mm inside rim width can accommodate all the way up to 43mm tires. I don't want to go that high, and am hoping that 38 will work fine. I am wondering if anyone on here is maybe running 21mm inside width rims and has used 38mm tires and could give their thoughts on how it worked.
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Last edited by jaxgtr; 10-30-21 at 06:54 PM.
