What gives?
01-02-05 | 03:37 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 49
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From: Queens, NY
Bikes: Trek 7200 FX
What gives?
OK here goes. I have a hybrid with 700x35c tires and I would like to switch to tires with a more aggressive tread for winter commuting. (I have searched the forums, and visited Sheldon Brown's tire sizing website, but that just confused me even more 
) So is the 700 the inner diameter or outer diameter of the tire? From what I've gathered it seems that it could be either one. The 35, I'm assuming would be the width of the tread. I converted the 700mm to 27.5 inches using my calculator, and If that is the equivelant to a 27" rim where did the other .5 go? I saw one website where a guy said he put 26" tires on a 700c, but for the life of me can't figure out how he made it fit. Anyhoo, I'm sure other people have had this problem so if anyone can recommend a wider tire size with a more agressive tread I would appreciate it. Maybe I'm over complicating things, but I like my hair and would like to keep it, so quick responses would prevent me from ripping it out!
) So is the 700 the inner diameter or outer diameter of the tire? From what I've gathered it seems that it could be either one. The 35, I'm assuming would be the width of the tread. I converted the 700mm to 27.5 inches using my calculator, and If that is the equivelant to a 27" rim where did the other .5 go? I saw one website where a guy said he put 26" tires on a 700c, but for the life of me can't figure out how he made it fit. Anyhoo, I'm sure other people have had this problem so if anyone can recommend a wider tire size with a more agressive tread I would appreciate it. Maybe I'm over complicating things, but I like my hair and would like to keep it, so quick responses would prevent me from ripping it out!
01-02-05 | 04:20 PM
#2
The only way to put 26 inch tires on a 700c bike is to use different wheels. You cannot mount a 26 inch tire on a 700c rim.
I think you are making this harder than it is. Any 700 type tire should fit on your rims. Don't worry about inside or outside diameters. The only thing you need to worry about is the width of the tire and whether it will clear your forks, chainstays, and brakes. If you have V-brakes, then they will be fine.
Hybrids usually have plenty of clearance for wider tires, but you won't know for sure without measuring your clearance or trying a tire.
I think you are making this harder than it is. Any 700 type tire should fit on your rims. Don't worry about inside or outside diameters. The only thing you need to worry about is the width of the tire and whether it will clear your forks, chainstays, and brakes. If you have V-brakes, then they will be fine.
Hybrids usually have plenty of clearance for wider tires, but you won't know for sure without measuring your clearance or trying a tire.
01-02-05 | 07:38 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 12,561
Likes: 799
From: Middle of da Mitten
Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Bacchetta Quattro, Catrike Speed
700C wheels are all the same bead seat diameter, 622mm. As supcom says, any 700C tire will fit on your rim. All hybrids I've ever seen could take a 38mm with no problem, and I've never seen anything fatter than that in the 700C size.
01-02-05 | 08:17 PM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 592
Likes: 2
From: Bend, OR
Bikes: American Breezer mtb, American Classic ti road bike w/SRAM Force and XO, Crotch Rocket, SOMA 69'er w/XX-1 mtb, Handsome Shop Bike w/700c wheels. Bianchi SS 'cross
Check with your lbs and they'll be able to recommend some good alternatives. There are a number of brands that offer aggressive tread patterns in widths up to around 700x45 (As one response mentioned, cyclocross tires would be a good start, and Ritchey, for one, has a number of reasonable & inexpensive choices). Good luck.
PS: If you're experiencing icy conditions you might consider studded tires.
PS: If you're experiencing icy conditions you might consider studded tires.
