quick tire size question...
#1
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quick tire size question...
For a 700c wheel, can you use a range of different widths of tire? Or can a rim only fit a specific width of tire? I've been looking around on sheldonbrown.com and here and am still a little confused.
THanks for any help!
THanks for any help!
#2
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Also, if 700c rims do come in different widths, is it bad to use 2 different widths of rim with the same width of tire? Does that make sense?
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In answer to your question,
yes, 700c rims do come in a variety of widths.
yes, it is OK to mount tires of various widths to rims of various widths.
It is good though, to have some caution. For example, don't mount a crazily wide mountain bike tire on a very thin racing rim; also don't mount a super skinny racing tire on a big wide mountain rim.
As usual, Sheldon Brown has provided a superb chart with the details.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire_sizing.html#width
yes, 700c rims do come in a variety of widths.
yes, it is OK to mount tires of various widths to rims of various widths.
It is good though, to have some caution. For example, don't mount a crazily wide mountain bike tire on a very thin racing rim; also don't mount a super skinny racing tire on a big wide mountain rim.
As usual, Sheldon Brown has provided a superb chart with the details.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire_sizing.html#width
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Rims are pretty tolerant of tire width. Road rims that are specified for 700x23 tires can take up to 35 or 38 mm tires. For example Mavic Open Pro rims are usually fitted with 23 mm tires for road use but are frequently used on cyclocross bikes with 30 - 38 mm tires with no problems.
At the other extreme, I have a converted MTB that came with 26" x 2.25" tires for road use by fitting 1.25" (nominal 32 mm) slicks and they have also worked with no problems.
At the other extreme, I have a converted MTB that came with 26" x 2.25" tires for road use by fitting 1.25" (nominal 32 mm) slicks and they have also worked with no problems.
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Also,
if you are interested in a general discussion on rims, the RivBike folks have a nice description of some general features of rims that are important for your basic commuter or tourer.
https://www.rivbike.com/article/components/rims
if you are interested in a general discussion on rims, the RivBike folks have a nice description of some general features of rims that are important for your basic commuter or tourer.
https://www.rivbike.com/article/components/rims
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When considering a larger tire make sure your frame will allow it. A given rim might acceptably accommodate a larger tire but then the larger tire might (unacceptably) come into contact with the frame when you mount your wheel. I replaced a rear 700x25 tire with a 700x28 (thinking I had accounted for the added tire width) and found that the top of the tire made contact with the frame, so I'm limited to 700x25 (or smaller) on the rear rim of my bike.
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When considering a larger tire make sure your frame will allow it. A given rim might acceptably accommodate a larger tire but then the larger tire might (unacceptably) come into contact with the frame when you mount your wheel. I replaced a rear 700x25 tire with a 700x28 (thinking I had accounted for the added tire width) and found that the top of the tire made contact with the frame, so I'm limited to 700x25 (or smaller) on the rear rim of my bike.
Caliper brakes can also be a problem point.