Originally Posted by
LiteraryChic
Could someone please explain to me how tire sizing works? For example, Lola has 700x38 tires. I know a little bit of how it works, but I would just like a more detailed explantion.
Rims? Tubes? Tires?
Also, does anyone have any thoughts on winterizing my tires for commuting without buying snow tires? I am just not sure I can stretch my budget for snow tires, but I'll have to wait & see how things go.
I've heard that you can use zip ties? I've also been told that you can use one snow tire on the front and/or back? What is best? Thoughts?
Thanks for all of the help!
p.s. I live in Michigan, so in the winter we get it all - dry conditions, snow/ice, rain etc.
The 700C designation is a remnant of the French tyre sizing system where tyres were categorized by numbers that had nothing to do with the metric size like 500A, 650B, and 700 which came in a A, B, C, and D where the letter code denoted width with the A being narrowest and D being the widest.
I wonder if the same was applied to brassieres ?
Anyways... 700C now refers to all rims with a 622 mm bead seat, the second number denotes the tyre width in mm. The rim width needs to fall within a given range to match the tyre but that is another topic.
29'r mountain bikes also run 622 rims that are much wider and accommodate very wide tyres.
Follow the link in my signature for tips on winter cycling and instructions on how to build your own winter tyres... and check the Winter Cycling Forum as it can provide much needed moral support.