Relationship between tire width and rim width
09-06-15, 02:59 PM
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Relationship between tire width and rim width
Short question: If I switch to a wider tire, do I also need to change out my wheels/rims?
Longer details: I have a Specialized Sirrus which was sold to me as a hybrid. I mostly ride it on roads, but occasionally take it onto easy trails. I am quite happy with it, except that it has rather poor traction if the trail is a little muddy. Up to now, it has had the original "All Condition" 700x32c tires on it. However today, while replacing the tube, I evidently flubbed the job and tore out part of the bead. Now I'm in the market for new tires. For a while now, I have had my eye on tires that are a little knobbier on the sides but still fairly smooth down the center, such as the Specialized Borough Armadillo. However, this is a slightly wider tire (45mm instead of 32mm). Can I reasonably expect to put this wider tire on the same wheels, or do I need to replace the wheels if I switch to this wider tire? As far as I can tell, the current rim width is 24mm.
As a side note, I am rather disappointed in these Kevlar "armadillo" puncture resistant tires. Every time I spring a leak (which is often), I find myself pulling out three or four chips of stone that have become embedded in the tire.
Longer details: I have a Specialized Sirrus which was sold to me as a hybrid. I mostly ride it on roads, but occasionally take it onto easy trails. I am quite happy with it, except that it has rather poor traction if the trail is a little muddy. Up to now, it has had the original "All Condition" 700x32c tires on it. However today, while replacing the tube, I evidently flubbed the job and tore out part of the bead. Now I'm in the market for new tires. For a while now, I have had my eye on tires that are a little knobbier on the sides but still fairly smooth down the center, such as the Specialized Borough Armadillo. However, this is a slightly wider tire (45mm instead of 32mm). Can I reasonably expect to put this wider tire on the same wheels, or do I need to replace the wheels if I switch to this wider tire? As far as I can tell, the current rim width is 24mm.
As a side note, I am rather disappointed in these Kevlar "armadillo" puncture resistant tires. Every time I spring a leak (which is often), I find myself pulling out three or four chips of stone that have become embedded in the tire.
09-06-15, 03:10 PM
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First thing, how much clearance do you have at fork crown, brake bridge and chainstays?
Don't worry about the rims until you've determined that you have room enough for a wider tire.
While there are recommendations about tire vs rim width, it's rarely a critical feature.
In the tire chapter at sheldonbrown.com there's a chart about recommended combinations.
Don't worry about the rims until you've determined that you have room enough for a wider tire.
While there are recommendations about tire vs rim width, it's rarely a critical feature.
In the tire chapter at sheldonbrown.com there's a chart about recommended combinations.
09-06-15, 05:01 PM
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That site, the chart, and all the information surrounding it were quite informative and exactly the sort of knowledge I was looking for. Thank you! Not only did it have the answer I was looking for, but I stumbled across a clue about tire inflation and all the rock chips I've been extracting from my tires.
And you are correct, now that I look, there is not much extra clearance at the chain stays, for both the added width and the added tire radius. I would have perhaps 2mm of clearance, and that's making assumptions about the new tire's profile.
I think I'm going to skip this idea, and stick to the original size.
And you are correct, now that I look, there is not much extra clearance at the chain stays, for both the added width and the added tire radius. I would have perhaps 2mm of clearance, and that's making assumptions about the new tire's profile.
I think I'm going to skip this idea, and stick to the original size.
