trailmix

I was wondering if anybody is using Conti SportContact in 622x37 would mind measuring the actual width of the tire when mounted. The reason I ask is I am currently running an old set of Conti Top Touring in 622x37 but it actually measures in at 31mm wide. Just curious if the SportContacts are similar in that regard. Thanks.

jrickards

That's quite a difference. Recently, I was reading about tires and tire width and one set of tires being tested were not the full width when first installed but took a couple of weeks to settle into a stable width (although it was 1mm less than specified, not much really).

The measurement may also be taken when the tire has been inflated to maximum specified pressure.

Rim width may also affect the width of the tire.

I would confirm that you have the correct tire (just in case you were sold the wrong size). If that checks out, see if your store has any others, especially if any are installed on a bike or if the store would let you install it on your rims to compare. Finally, if none of this changes your tire width, contact Conti and ask them.

I must admit that I thought that the ISO code of 622-37 referred to the rim diameter (622) and the tire height (37) not tire width but apparently I'm wrong. I know that I have 2 tires 622-32 that, on the same rim, have a different profile: the Michelin Pilot Sport has a rounder profile than the Schwalbe Marathon Green Guard which has a taller profile (and appears relatively narrow than the Michelin but I've never measured).

10 Wheels

Tires are sometimes miss labeled.

trailmix

Thanks for the replies. From what I understand, this size difference is fairly common for Conti tires-especially the bigger sizes. The Top Touring tire hasn't been made for a few years and i am looking to replace my set. Just wondering if all Conti 622x37 all measure approximately the same or if there was some variance from style to style. Thanks for your help.

jrickards

I bought some Conti Country Plus this summer (622-47). Although I don't have calipers, I'll give them a measure as best I can and see how close they seem to their reported width.

noglider 

It used to be that the width rating was derived by flattening the tire out, measuring the distance between the two beads, and dividing by 2.5. I don't know if they still do that. This explains why there is a difference between rating and actual width: width to height ratio varies with the design and materials used.

trailmix

Interesting, I didn't know that is how they measured bike tires, I always just use a set of calipers on an inflated tire. That would definitely explain such variances. A couple of my other bikes run Paselas but I really liked the ride of these Top Touring so I decided to stick with Contis on this bike. The Panaracers seem to run pretty true to their marked size.