Originally Posted by Red is Faster!
Oh, and can tires really vary that much in diameter?
- from what i have seen in my collection (various Vittorias, Kendas, Contis, and Specializeds), yep! smooth tread, knobblies, raised ridges, and as you point out, inflation pressure, can have an affect...
- but from my limited and naive viewpoint, the tire clearance issue you describe indicates a design problem with the frame... i would never buy a frame with that kind of close tolerance - what if i were out on the road, needed a new tire, and the LBS didn't have one that could clear the tube at proper pressure?
- just MHO, mind you...