Will a 1.1in rim be compatible with 1.95in/2in tire?
03-20-21, 12:38 PM
#1
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Will a 1.1in rim be compatible with 1.95in/2in tire?
I am building a bike from scratch and I am also building a wheel around a hub motor. So I am wondering, if my 26'' (1.1in wide) rim would be compatible with a 1.95'' wide tire (treads that go over tube) and if yes then will a 2'' be compatible too?
Thanks a lot, I'm a real noob at this.
Thanks a lot, I'm a real noob at this.
03-20-21, 03:11 PM
#2
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Start with this. https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
When you finish, let us know what else you have questions about.
Generally you can put muchbigger wider tires on a rim than what was on there originally. Your limitation usually becomes frame and brake caliper clearance. The actual outer circumference of the tire gets bigger too as you go wider.
When you finish, let us know what else you have questions about.
Generally you can put much
03-21-21, 08:11 PM
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Typically, rims are sized by their inside width, usually in millimeters. What you've got as a "1.1 inch" is probably a 24mm, which is a pretty 'standard' 26" MTB rim.
Back in the day, a 1.95"-2.1" tire on a 17mm rim was considered 'the' setup for XC race bikes. They hold up just fine, under race conditions.
The 'Sheldon' guide, (and BikeForums, to be frank) is both conservative, and heavily road bike -centric, so the knowledge base tends to skew that way. Not trying to bash anyone, but that's the way it is.
Back in the day, a 1.95"-2.1" tire on a 17mm rim was considered 'the' setup for XC race bikes. They hold up just fine, under race conditions.
The 'Sheldon' guide, (and BikeForums, to be frank) is both conservative, and heavily road bike -centric, so the knowledge base tends to skew that way. Not trying to bash anyone, but that's the way it is.
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03-22-21, 08:45 AM
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No bash taken. My actual thinking is I'd put any width tire on it I felt like trying and then ride it and see what it handles like.
When noobs ask questions though, then probably they don't have the experience to make such judgments for themselves. So conservative might be good. Though I do highly endorse try it and see. That is how you get your own experiences that work for you.
When noobs ask questions though, then probably they don't have the experience to make such judgments for themselves. So conservative might be good. Though I do highly endorse try it and see. That is how you get your own experiences that work for you.
03-22-21, 11:46 AM
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Lots of manufactures, both tire and rim makers, list ranges of acceptable tire sizes vs rim width.
They all have slightly different numbers and like said above are conservative compared to what people actually run.
https://www.velocityusa.com/tech/rims/
https://www.schwalbetires.com/tech_info/tire_dimensions
https://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/tyre-rim-combinations
They all have slightly different numbers and like said above are conservative compared to what people actually run.
https://www.velocityusa.com/tech/rims/
https://www.schwalbetires.com/tech_info/tire_dimensions
https://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/tyre-rim-combinations
03-22-21, 03:35 PM
#7
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My 2018 Giant Sedona came with 26 x 1.95" tires on rims that measure 1". The specs call for a 2.1" tire. They look way too wide for the rim and I was concerned, But they seem to work just fine properly inflated. If you can't trust the manufacturer, Who can you trust.
03-22-21, 04:59 PM
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Generally you want the tire to fit as tightly onto the rim as reasonably possible. You can fit a wider tire onto a narrower rim, but that doesn't mean you'll get the full width of said tire. Think of it as sort of a balloon effect.
In short, can you? Yes. But it won't fit as tight or get you the advertised width you see on the sidewall.
In short, can you? Yes. But it won't fit as tight or get you the advertised width you see on the sidewall.
03-23-21, 08:24 AM
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No bash taken. My actual thinking is I'd put any width tire on it I felt like trying and then ride it and see what it handles like.
When noobs ask questions though, then probably they don't have the experience to make such judgments for themselves. So conservative might be good. Though I do highly endorse try it and see. That is how you get your own experiences that work for you.
When noobs ask questions though, then probably they don't have the experience to make such judgments for themselves. So conservative might be good. Though I do highly endorse try it and see. That is how you get your own experiences that work for you.
Case in point: I had asked a question about some 26"x2.3/2.5 BMX tires, and when I gave the rim width (17mm inside) I was informed by several of the old hands here that under no circumstances should I go any bigger than a 32mm tire. These are Mavic 230's, which were a pretty common 26" XC rim.
According to BikeForums, I've been risking my life by running 26"x1.95 on them for the last 25 years or so.
