Originally Posted by
spdracr39
A symptom of wider tires on narrow rims that I have recently run across is the sidewall is more prone to getting cut by rocks/debris. It may be coincidence but with my 23's I have never had this issue but since I switched to 25's recently it has happened twice. I am running the same rims.
I think you just had bad luck. (and a 25c vs a 23c is a pretty small change.)
I had the exact opposite worry. My 23c tires on 25mm wide rims make the sidewall of the tire vertical, instead of curving back in toward the rim. The tire is effectively a 26c or 27c. I was worried that the part of the sidewall closest to the tread would be more exposed to sharp debris on the road.
And then I sliced the sidewall on the third ride on those wheels. I even posted a comment in another thread asking about other rider's experience with wide rim sidewall cuts. (Nobody had a similar problem.) Now, 3500 miles later, it's
never happened again.
Originally Posted by
jaranth
Hi folks,
I have an old set of Bontrager Race TLR wheels collecting dust that would be convenient to use on a new bike I'm building up. They originally came stock with my Trek Domane (but I replaced them on that bike with high-end race wheels).
The new bike I'm building up is a steel Soma Double Cross frame with a road drivetrain, but I want bigger tires for commuting. Initially, I'll use cantilevers because I have some, and with this brake/frame setup, tire clearance won't be an issue. I'll be using the Soma on roads and occasionally light dirt or gravel trails.
But, the Race TLR's are exactly that - mid-priced alloy road and race wheels that are kind of light (front 18 spoke, back 24 spoke).
I'm just wondering if mounting bigger hybrid-type tires (size 32 or 34) on these racing rims would be a bad idea, structurally speaking... can I use them? Or, should I look into buying different wheels, perhaps with more spokes, maybe for cyclocross or comfort bikes, just to be safe? Anyone know?
Thanks!
I would think the large tires would be easier on the rims. The big volume and lower pressure will absorb big bumps that would otherwise jolt the rims. You should be less likely to get the little cracks around the spoke holes that eventually let a spoke pull through.
Keep the tire pressure low enough to make a smooth ride. On a 32c, I'd try 50-65 psi front, and 70-80 rear, depending on your weight.