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Smart Sam 700-40C actual size on wheel (ie. will they fit my bike?)

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Smart Sam 700-40C actual size on wheel (ie. will they fit my bike?)

Old 06-25-14, 02:22 AM
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Smart Sam 700-40C actual size on wheel (ie. will they fit my bike?)

Hi,

I recently purchased my first new bike in 26 years, a Felt QX85 hybrid (QX 85 - Felt Bicycles). It's a fine bike but I'm constantly finding myself driving on paths and pothole-filled gravel roads for which the current tires (Schwalbe Spicer 700-35C slicks) may not be all that hot. I'm looking for a tire that would work well on gravel on lower pressures and Schwalbe Smart Sam seems to be the way to go on price (under 40 euros shipped per pair) / internet ravings ratio.

There is a 37C Smart Sam that would surely fit but the having that little extra air space on 40C intrigues me but it might be a too tight fit at least with fenders. If anyone has the 40C Smart Sam on a 622-18-ish wheel and would be kind enough to post the actual width and diameter I would be most grateful!
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Old 06-25-14, 05:08 AM
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I have the Smart Sam in the 700x47 on a Velocity Dyad rim. It measures true-to-size. Like all tires with large knobs along the shoulder, the Smart Sam needs plenty of room between the chain-stays. After looking at the Felt website, I would inspect the existing tire fit to see if you have about 6 mms of clearance around the chain-stays, fork and seat-stays.
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Old 06-25-14, 12:19 PM
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We need a sticky here to help people identify bikes that can take up to 50 mm tires in the 700 C size.

Very few bikes can do it. Most bikes can go up to 35 mm (commuter and CX) with fenders and 40-42 without. That pretty much limits even wider tire options.

So what fat tire all round bikes like that are out there? The OP is not the only one with that question.
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Old 06-26-14, 04:00 AM
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Thanks, after some eyeballing I decided to pull the trigger and ordered the 40C Sams. Looked like that there was at least a centimeter of space under the fenders and if they don't fit I should be able to return them.

Agreed on the sticky on bikes that could take big tires. I went searching for a bike for my wife with the tire clearance issue in mind and found out that Marin Muirwoods 29er should be able to take any 29" MTB tire - and has a steel frame and fork to boot. Could make for a nice budget grinder.
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Old 07-06-14, 12:40 PM
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Well, the verdict is in. They do fit - I think that without Fenders the Felt QX could easily take at least 47C tires. With my SKS Velo 47 fenders I had to trim the fender flares a bit with a utility knife to clear the shoulder knobs.

As expected the ride on gravel became much better with the Smart Sams. Potholes don't jar nearly as much and I can take on loose gravel and sand with much better authority.

Speaking of fenders, it should not be too hard to come up with a two piece mudguard design that wouldn't restrict tire clearance at all. Do such exist already?
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Old 07-06-14, 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by timoA
Well, the verdict is in. They do fit - I think that without Fenders the Felt QX could easily take at least 47C tires. With my SKS Velo 47 fenders I had to trim the fender flares a bit with a utility knife to clear the shoulder knobs.

As expected the ride on gravel became much better with the Smart Sams. Potholes don't jar nearly as much and I can take on loose gravel and sand with much better authority.

Speaking of fenders, it should not be too hard to come up with a two piece mudguard design that wouldn't restrict tire clearance at all. Do such exist already?
Glad to hear that the tires fit. I'm using these Planet Bike fenders: https://ecom1.planetbike.com/7059.html

They are huge and easily cover a 700x50 tire. They don't rob tire clearance, surprisingly.
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Last edited by Barrettscv; 07-06-14 at 01:57 PM.
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