Amani576

Ok... So, while this isn't necessarily C&V, you guys use them more than anyone else, so I figure you'll know an answer to my question. And yes, I searched the forums before posting this.
Will 37mm tires work fine with 45mm Hammered Honjo's? Velo Orange says that a 35mm is the biggest that will fit under them. Will that paltry 2mm increase really make a difference? It's for my new LHT (which will be very C&V influenced). Honey Brooks, Elkhide bar-covers, Hammered Honjos'... That's why it's not necessarily C&V.
Any help will be appreciated.
-Gene-

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

sweet.....what color is the LHT and what kind of bars are you gonna run?

Amani576

Olive Green, 56cm, and for the time I'll be using the stock bars. It will be switched out to either Nitto Randoneurs or B115's. The stock bars are too shallow for my preference. I noticed that VERY quickly on my test ride yesterday. Though, I'll likely change the bars, brakes (Paul Neo Retro's up front, Tourers in back, in my plan), stainless brake cables, and do the elkhide all in the same step. It'll be a little while, cause it won't be a cheap operation. But, the payout will be amazing, visually, as well as performance wise.
I need to know if the fenders will work soon though. Cause I want to mount those as soon as possible.
And I won't have any pics till next week (wed or thursday) as the shop still has it.
This is also going to be my "car" as I'm car free, and need an extremely reliable piece of transportation, that also suits my tastes visually.
-Gene-

robatsu

I have used fenders w/an 8 mm difference - 40mm Berthoud's with 32 tires. Obviously, if the fender is wider, it "works", but the closer this stuff starts getting, the more accurate your fender line has to be, and the finer the requirement, the more skill/time it takes to set it up.

Also, your clearance will be generally be less between the tire/fender, so you get a greater chance of getting something jammed in there, from irrititating, but harmless, leaves to immutable objects that can throw you from the bike, or at least crumple the fender. Easier to get mud buildup, etc, as well.

OTOH, fenders approaching the size of the tires, w/out much overhang, look really nice.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

Awesome. Sounds like its gonna be really great

IceNine

Quick question, is 37 mm the official size of the tire, or is it the size you measured when they are properly inflated? The reason I ask is a lot of tires are narrower than the stated width. I've esp. noticed that with Continentals, but there are others as well I am sure. Also, some fenders measure the outside width, while others measure the inside width, if you know what I mean. Not sure which one Honjo uses, but that would be good to know. Ideally, what you'd like to know is the difference between the inside width of the fenders and the actual measured width of the tires.

Amani576

I don't have the bike in my possession yet, that's next wednesday or thursday, so I don't have the actual width of the tires, though they are stated as 37mm.
I'm pretty sure the 45mm fenders will work, and eventually I'll switch to 35's, I can't see needing larger than that, and I imagine the difference between 37's and 35's is none too substantial.
I'm gonna go ahead and order the 45's, I was just wondering if the difference was too much, or if there would be any fit problems.
-Gene-

unterhausen

the difference of 2mm seems to be quite large when it comes to tires. I think it's one of those magic numbers that gets pfsa (pulled from someone's a--) But it does seem like you should be able to make them fit. You might just have more issues with stones and other road detritus.