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Fitting winter tires under fenders

Old 01-03-22, 10:46 AM
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bicycle126312
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Fitting winter tires under fenders

I have a bike with 30 - 622 or 700 X 30C tires on it. The bike has fenders that sit close to the tires.

The problem is, that winter tires seem to have some more geometry on them and "expand" a bit more due to the grooves, etc. on the tire itself, compared to slicks, at least. This might make them touch the inside of the fenders.

I was told that I should use "28 inch tires on it instead", so that the tires don't touch the inside of the fenders. However, this doesn't make any sense to me. 28 inches, for what?

As far as I understand it:

30 - 622 means 30 mm tire width, 622 mm inner tire diameter.
700 X 30C means 700 mm tire diameter, 30 mm tire width, "C" is the width of the rim on a scale from A to D.

So if anything, I should perhaps reduce the width of the tire somewhat, and hope that it then has a slightly lower outermost diameter?

What should I go for? Would 28 mm seem like a good bet?
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Old 01-03-22, 10:53 AM
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Can you adjust the fenders to give you more clearance? If not, try some 28s. Several winter tires are available in that size.
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Old 01-03-22, 11:01 AM
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the "28" is likely a tire width reference. Thus the suggestion of a narrower tire to gain fender/tire gap. Of course a narrower tire in wintery conditions is not what most here would prefer, generally a wider tire with a thicker/deeper tread is wanted.

My opinion is that you have now realized some of "the cost" of the choice of bike you bought. Can the bike better handle changing needs and conditions. Bike with minimal clearances (and a lot of other limiting or lacking aspects) are not as accommodating in future situations. Andy
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Old 01-03-22, 12:15 PM
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30-622 and 700 x 30C are two ways of describing exactly the same thing. 700c is an older name for what is defined as an ISO 622 rim size but the 700c nomenclature still persists. You were probably not told to get a "28-inch tire" but a 28mm wide tire, aka 28-622 or 700x28c. As Andy described the narrower and slightly smaller diameter 28mm tire will (maybe) give you a little more fender clearance.
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Old 01-03-22, 12:20 PM
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Thanks guys.

So with 28 mm, what I should get, is a tire that is "700 X 28C"?
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Old 01-03-22, 12:28 PM
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Originally Posted by bicycle126312
Thanks guys.

So with 28 mm, what I should get, is a tire that is "700 X 28C"?
Yes, it will be labeled that and/or 28-622 or 700cx28. All the same tire.
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Old 01-03-22, 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by bicycle126312
Thanks guys.

So with 28 mm, what I should get, is a tire that is "700 X 28C"?
Be aware that the width is nominal, not all "28mm" tires will be the same width, especially winter tires. Folks at a local shop may be able to help.
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Old 01-03-22, 05:47 PM
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Originally Posted by bicycle126312
I have a bike with 30 - 622 or 700 X 30C tires on it. The bike has fenders that sit close to the tires.

The problem is, that winter tires seem to have some more geometry on them and "expand" a bit more due to the grooves, etc. on the tire itself, compared to slicks, at least. This might make them touch the inside of the fenders.

I was told that I should use "28 inch tires on it instead", so that the tires don't touch the inside of the fenders. However, this doesn't make any sense to me. 28 inches, for what?

As far as I understand it:

30 - 622 means 30 mm tire width, 622 mm inner tire diameter.
700 X 30C means 700 mm tire diameter, 30 mm tire width, "C" is the width of the rim on a scale from A to D.

So if anything, I should perhaps reduce the width of the tire somewhat, and hope that it then has a slightly lower outermost diameter?

What should I go for? Would 28 mm seem like a good bet?
Remember that you don't just need to fit the tires inside the fenders -- you need to fit the snow and slush that the tires are going to pick up.
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Old 01-04-22, 05:32 AM
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These

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Old 01-04-22, 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
Remember that you don't just need to fit the tires inside the fenders -- you need to fit the snow and slush that the tires are going to pick up.
very good point, Great Scott!

I hope this dude realizes this, as I commute daily in snow and slush and crap and a lot of stuff builds up on the tire. I used to use a 2.5 inch mtb knobby for winter commuting before I got studded tires, and the clearance was close with the suspension fork bridge thing, and sure enough, snow and ice and road grit would build up and wore away some of the fork bridge. No big deal as it was a small amount and the bike and fork are ancient, but still, it does happen, so be aware.
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Old 01-04-22, 04:26 PM
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Or - get wide fenders that don't fit your bike, then carve them to fit. The Planet Bike fenders carve very nicely. (I don't like them for other reasons.) SKS and other hard plastic fenders need round inside corners to the cutouts so cracks don't start. Fenders can be cut at the brakes and River City ReacAround Fender Brackets used.

https://www.rivercitybicycles.com/pr.../?startrow=30h

Plastic fenders are pretty flexible when it comes to diameter so stretching them to fit a large tire usually isn't difficult - if you can get around the frame limitations. With those brackets and a willingness to cut where needed and use a little creativity, most bikes can be fendered up nicely.
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