Bicycle Mechanics - Going from a 1.50 rim to a 1.75 rim on an MTB 26" wheel.

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Cyclomania
08-17-11, 06:52 PM
Two Questions:

1. What are (if any) advantages to going to a wider rim?

2. Would the size of spokes differ when moving to the installation of a wider rim? (1.50 to 1.75) I'll be working with the same hub.

FastJake
08-17-11, 07:21 PM
Is your current rim trashed or something?

The main advantage to a wider rim on a MTB is that it works better with very wide tires. Running wide tires on very narrow rims (now commonplace on MTBs) is not ideal, but it saves weight due to the narrower rim.

Whether your current spokes will work is impossible to say without knowing the ERD of each rim. Unless the ERD's are the same, the spokes will be the wrong length. Of course, the rims must also have the same number of holes. http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_e-f.html#erd
mikeinroch
08-17-11, 08:17 PM
Another advantage of a wider rim is that if you use rim brakes, they are easier to set up because the pad approaches the rim more from below / the side rather than above, less likely to hit the tire and less likely to dive under the rim.

Cyclomania
08-17-11, 08:41 PM
Is your current rim trashed or something?

The main advantage to a wider rim on a MTB is that it works better with very wide tires. Running wide tires on very narrow rims (now commonplace on MTBs) is not ideal, but it saves weight due to the narrower rim.

Whether your current spokes will work is impossible to say without knowing the ERD of each rim. Unless the ERD's are the same, the spokes will be the wrong length. Of course, the rims must also have the same number of holes. http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_e-f.html#erd

Yes, My rear rim was trashed by a car hitting me from behind and I flew over the car onto the asphalt. Glad to be alive!

Yes, the Hub is 36h as well as the newly purchased rim (online):)

Please tell me what is meant by ERD?
Cyclomania
08-17-11, 08:43 PM
Another advantage of a wider rim is that if you use rim brakes, they are easier to set up because the pad approaches the rim more from below / the side rather than above, less likely to hit the tire and less likely to dive under the rim.

Glad to know that this new rim, which is alloy not silver and a bit wider, will improve my braking power!
FastJake
08-17-11, 08:44 PM
Please tell me what is meant by ERD?

Effective rim diameter. Click the link I posted or read this for a more in depth explanation: http://sheldonbrown.com/rinard/spocalc.htm#MeasureHubAndRim