Road Cycling - road wheels

A basic question: how does rim width relate to tire width for clinchers? It seems like some 22mm-wide rims can accomodate 25mm-wide tires. Is this universally true that rims can accommodate tires wider than the rim?

Also, any suggestions for a traditional spoked rim (for clinchers) approximately comparable to the Mavic Open Pro that can accommodate up to 25mm tires? The Open Pros's (and other Mavics) are only recommended for 19-23mm-wide tires according to their web site. Thanks.

Tire width can be wider than the rim. You could go all the way up to 32mm if you'd like. I've even gone to 35mm with no trouble. The bigger the tire the lower the tire pressure and the more rolling resistance encountered. Smaller tires --20, 23, 25- usually run very high pressures, up to 150lbs. Makes for very hard tires with almost no shock absorption. People who like to ride fast prefer these.
Spoke patterns used to be standard at 36, now 32 seems to be the norm. Many use 28 in the front and 32 in the rear, and others use 28 on both wheels. If you are a light weight you could go with the 28's. Otherwise a 32/28 combination would be perfect. The only people who use 36 any more are the died-in-the-wool traditionalists and tandem riders.
This is a long winded answer, but I hope it will help. I'm sure you'll get at 2 to 15 more opinions. Good luck!

Your best bet is to mount a tire with a profile that is slightly larger than the width of your rim. I use (michelin) 23's on that type of rim, you can't beat mavic rims. (mavic module E or MA40 w/25's or 28's on bad roads and rough terrain, although I've ridden dirt roads w/open pro mounted w/23's no problems). You won't accelerate quite as quickly on a 23 as with a 20, but you will corner better because the tire will be rounder at the larger size and will have a larger contact point, you will have a smoother ride and less problems with rim damage from potholes etc. because of the better cushion the larger tire gives you, and a larger tire is much easier to get on and off. Supple sidewalls are desirable as well!
If you plan to time trial 20's or even 19's are appropriate for that use.
DO stay away from any tire that has an oval profile as it will have unpredictable handling characteristics and will not corner as well as a tire with a round profile. Tires with raised center ridges fit the oval category,
It's interesting that mavic recommends 23s, at the largest, for the open pro (19mm) , as the racing mountain bike rims started out as the 700c module E(22mm) cut down to the 26" size,(they removed 4 spoke holes-36 to 32), and they're using 1.75 and larger tires on them!

[Edited by pat5319 on 10-06-2000 at 04:58 AM]

Also, any suggestions for a traditional spoked rim (for clinchers) approximately comparable to the Mavic Open Pro that can accommodate up to 25mm tires? The Open Pros's (and other Mavics) are only recommended for 19-23mm-wide tires according to their web site. Thanks.

Velocity Aeroheads are always a safe—if not under-estimated—bet.

Is there something wrong with the date stamps or did you intentionally reply to a post from 2000?

Velocity Aeroheads are always a safe—if not under-estimated—bet.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Grave_digger_(truck).jpg

Epic.

Velocity Aeroheads are always a safe—if not under-estimated—bet.

Wow, it only took him 8 years to answer that question. :lol:

Wow, it only took him 8 years to answer that question. :lol:

Hey that could be a record.... :roflmao2:

at least he remembered...

And OP is still a "Newbie" after eight years.