Originally Posted by
psalyers
Hey all. I currently have a Nishiki Maricopa road bike and was looking into putting a more all terrain/mountain bike tire on it to start hitting the trails near me. Is something like this possible? My current wheel setup on my bike is
700c x 18c/23c.
Would I be able to use my current wheels and just get new tires? If so what size?
Thank you
You almost for sure cant fit more than a 28mm tire in your frame. In the off chance that you can, it will max out at 32mm. This is based on your brake calipers and the brake bridge on the seatstays(where the rear brake is attached to the frame).
Depending on what 'hitting the trails' means to you, it could be fun or horrible on your bike. The geometry isnt made for trail riding. The tires and wheels arent made for trail riding. The fork isnt made for trail riding. The shifting and entire cockpit isnt made for trail riding.
If its pretty smooth hardpacked dirt, then it could be fun to ride with 28mm tires. Tough and jarring at times, but fun.
If the trails are rooted and have obstacles like logs and rocks as well as tight turns and quick inclines- it could be no fun.
I take my gravel bike(drop bar) with 40mm tires to a local forested singletrack sometimes and have fun, but it beats me up more than my mountain bike. Also, the gearing on my gravel bike is better for dirt trails than your Nishiki and 40mm tires help a lot for both grip and softening bumps.