Tire width
Last Post 12/30/2019 11:52 PM by 79 pmooney. 10 Replies.
Author Messages
6ix

Posts:485

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12/07/2019 12:55 PM
I should know the answer to this but figured I'd reach out to the infinite wisdom of the forumites here.

I'm running 25mm clinchers on my Mavic Cosmic Carbon Pros.  The rims measure 25mm wide at the brake track.  I'm running 700x36 clinchers on my Vision Metron carbon wheels that measure 27.5mm wide at the bed (disc wheels so no real brake track.)

What's the narrowest tire I could safely run on the Visions?  28?  32?
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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12/07/2019 07:47 PM
Do you know the distance between the rim flanges (ETRTO)?
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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12/08/2019 08:54 AM
Yeah, like lsd noted, internal rim width is more important than external width in determining max / min tire width.

But given those wheels, and external widths, I’d say you can run 28’s with no problems. I assume you are talking about using those wheels with road tires? I know a guy who works for Vision...be more than happy to reach out to him and ask what the wheels can accommodate.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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12/08/2019 07:14 PM
I'll humbly add that I've had fun playing around with tires that clearly were too wide or too narrow for the rim I foolishly mounted them on. And I must also add that I've never ridden carbon rims (You kids get off my lawn!). FWIW in my experience is that you can get by with just about anything, at least kinda, unless you are tubeless with low pressure, or unless you are riding off pavement, in which case the tire should be a lot wider than the rim, to keep rocks and such from trashing the rim (I would think this applies especially to you kids get off my lawn carbon rim riders). Fat tires on skinny rims at low pressures can be entertaining, but do offer a very plush ride if sloppy ride. Being in my 60s and in no particular hurry, I can work with that. YMMV. Summary of my experience: If you know it's dumb, it's probably dumb. If you are riding on crap surfaces, go as big as you can, and don't overinflate. Tubeless may or may not be a good idea.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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12/30/2019 09:15 AM
6ix, finally heard back from my buddy at FSA. He says you can drop down to 25’s with no issues...that is the width he normally rides on those wheels.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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12/30/2019 11:06 AM
(Stay off my lawn too.) I've only used Velocity Aeros, Mavic Open Pro and Open Sport (A touch wider) for the past couple of decades. Tires from various 23s to Pasela 38s with no issue. Now this is fat tire on skinny rim, not 6ix's question. But I do get amused at how I seem to have no issues at all breaking the "rules" so badly.

I did once blow a sidewall off a tired rim with (as I recall) a 35c tire. (Rim was deep into "concave" mode - lots of winter brake wear.) Fortunately I was in the house when it happened. Sounded like a gunshot.

Ben
zootracer

Posts:833

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12/30/2019 12:05 PM
Mavic says you can use 25mm-32mm tires with these rims.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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12/30/2019 02:44 PM
Ben, as you are one who has always loved wider tires, I would encourage you to take a look at getting some wider rims. The transformation of the tires is amazing. Yes, you get some of the benefit of wider tires on a “standard” rim, but wider rims are a revelation.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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12/30/2019 09:22 PM
Agree 100%, assuming you turn right or left from time to time.
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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12/30/2019 11:52 PM
CK, it's probably not going to happen. As my rims fail, I'll go tubular and it all becomes academic. And 'till then, I have no desire to have to set bikes up for different widths. Especially after my wake-up call last summer that I should be sticking to smooth pavement.

Ben
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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12/30/2019 11:52 PM
Bah!  (At least I opened another tab to see if it posted.  The first tab is still trying to post, like a Dodge Dart with bald tires and its wheels in an icy ditch.)


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