How narrow of a tire would fit
07-29-13, 05:55 AM
#1
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How narrow of a tire would fit
I recently acquired a used 1997 Trek 6000 which I'm guessing has the stock wheels and is running 26x2.0 size tires. As I intend to use this bike for commuting I was wondering how narrow of a tire could I fit on this bike?
07-29-13, 06:42 AM
#2
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you can go lower in width, without any clearance issues.
Going bigger is something to check it out, but lower is no problem, so you can go as low as they make them (17mm width or so)
It may look funny with skinny wheels on a MTB.
Another thing I've seen: road wheels (700C) on MTB frame (many 26" frames will fit a road wheel but it's a hassle with brakes - need disc brake, and hubs - need mtb hub 135mm OLD with disc mount - or a 29er wheel with 23mm road tyres)
As a realistic advice: get some slicks 1.5" if you commute only on road, or 1.5-1.75 offroad with solid center strip for nice rolling on road and still have some unpaved trail capabilities (like continental travel contact)
Going bigger is something to check it out, but lower is no problem, so you can go as low as they make them (17mm width or so)
It may look funny with skinny wheels on a MTB.
Another thing I've seen: road wheels (700C) on MTB frame (many 26" frames will fit a road wheel but it's a hassle with brakes - need disc brake, and hubs - need mtb hub 135mm OLD with disc mount - or a 29er wheel with 23mm road tyres)
As a realistic advice: get some slicks 1.5" if you commute only on road, or 1.5-1.75 offroad with solid center strip for nice rolling on road and still have some unpaved trail capabilities (like continental travel contact)
Last edited by Asi; 07-29-13 at 06:52 AM.
07-29-13, 07:23 AM
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I was in the same boat last month looking for a tire for my MTB I recently started commuting with. My LBS suggested 1.75" and not to go any narrower than 1.5" as my original tire size was 26x1.95. Since I still have some gravel trails and pretty bad potholed roads to travel (thanks to the unique way my county's road commission is funded), I went with 1.75 Continental TourRIDE tires. I've put about 200 miles on 'em at this point and I'm happy with them. They're pretty fast tires and still have decent grip in the dirt.
07-29-13, 08:42 AM
#4
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That's listed as having Weinman 519 rims.
You can go down to 1.25" no problem.
Although you can find 1.0" (25mm) tires, they start to get problematic, needing to really stay on top of the air pressure to prevent pinch flats.
I have these on my "grocery getter" and have been very pleased with them. A real good tire for the price.
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...et-runner-tire
You can go down to 1.25" no problem.
Although you can find 1.0" (25mm) tires, they start to get problematic, needing to really stay on top of the air pressure to prevent pinch flats.
I have these on my "grocery getter" and have been very pleased with them. A real good tire for the price.
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...et-runner-tire
07-29-13, 08:58 AM
#5
You Know!? For Kids!
https://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
Scroll down and you will see a red / green chart that shows what width tires fit what width rims.
Scroll down and you will see a red / green chart that shows what width tires fit what width rims.
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07-29-13, 09:20 AM
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use the chart in post #5 as a guide, but before going narrower think about your objective.
I commute on 2" slick tires intentionally. The wider tire is more tolerant of lousy roads, potholes, concrete expansion gaps and sewer grates than narrower tires are. At reasonable pressure the rolling resistance is no higher (possibly lower) than a narrower tire would be.
The wider tires are especially nice at night when road hazards are harder to see.
I'm not saying 2" is absolutely right, but something bigger than 1.5" is more suited to commuter use than narrower tires are.
I commute on 2" slick tires intentionally. The wider tire is more tolerant of lousy roads, potholes, concrete expansion gaps and sewer grates than narrower tires are. At reasonable pressure the rolling resistance is no higher (possibly lower) than a narrower tire would be.
The wider tires are especially nice at night when road hazards are harder to see.
I'm not saying 2" is absolutely right, but something bigger than 1.5" is more suited to commuter use than narrower tires are.
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07-29-13, 11:20 AM
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+1. I had a '93 Trek 7000 that came with 26x2.0 tires and when I "roadified" it I substituted 26x1.25" (559x32) tires and they worked great. The only other thing I had to do was reset the calibration number on my cyclometer.
07-31-13, 09:43 PM
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all depends on what kind of surface your riding on and how far and fast you want to go. If your riding on rough roads then a 1.5 works ok. If you want speed and are on flat surfaces 1.25 works . Personally I stay with the 1.5 all the time because I'm going to hit some rough stretch eventually
07-31-13, 09:47 PM
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For commuting, I like a tire with a reflective sidewall.
08-01-13, 04:09 AM
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Hi,
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...city-ride-tire
Nice tyres at a good price. Go with the 26x1.75 / 44x559.
rgds, sreten.
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...city-ride-tire
Nice tyres at a good price. Go with the 26x1.75 / 44x559.
rgds, sreten.
08-01-13, 04:33 AM
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The answer's pretty simple: tyres can be as narrow as the rim.
...Often at least a fraction wider is a good idea to prevent minor rim damage, but not really a concern if using hub brakes.
...Oh, another good thing to change on a MTB being used on the road is the cassette. A nice close road cassette is a boon (if you prefer shifting gears to pedalling inefficiently), and with the triple you should still have range to burn, unless maybe you live somewhere really hilly. Shift into the granny and find the lowest gear you want to keep; it'll probably have 20-odd teeth or so.
And hey, if you're not bum up, head down, there's the biggest chunk of speed gone.
Skinny tyres are actually a pretty small part of the go-fast picture.
...Often at least a fraction wider is a good idea to prevent minor rim damage, but not really a concern if using hub brakes.
...Oh, another good thing to change on a MTB being used on the road is the cassette. A nice close road cassette is a boon (if you prefer shifting gears to pedalling inefficiently), and with the triple you should still have range to burn, unless maybe you live somewhere really hilly. Shift into the granny and find the lowest gear you want to keep; it'll probably have 20-odd teeth or so.
And hey, if you're not bum up, head down, there's the biggest chunk of speed gone.
Skinny tyres are actually a pretty small part of the go-fast picture.
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Sheldon Brown's bike info ~~~ Park Tools repair help
Half-step triple, using double gear ~~~ 6400 STI rebuild walkthrough ~~~ Want 8/9/10s @126mm OLD? OCR. ~~~ Shimano cassette body overhaul ~~~ Ergopower Escape wear repair ~~~ PSA: drivetrain wear
List of US/Canada bike co-ops ~~~ Global list
Last edited by Kimmo; 08-01-13 at 04:46 AM.
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