correct tire size for rims?

mc11as
mc11as Posts: 12
edited December 2010 in MTB workshop & tech
hi, i currently have summer trail tyres and i am looking to upgrade to some chunkier winter tyres. i currently have 2.1" tyres, do i have to replace them with another 2.1 or could i buy 2.3 or 2.4. i am assumeing that my rims are 2.1 can they be used with other tire widths. slightly confused, any help would be much appreciated
thanks paul

Comments

  • expandingmaan
    expandingmaan Posts: 43
    they should support 2.3/2.4s as fare as im aware
    my bike came with 26 x 1.95 and i have just put some 2.3's on last week
    but they may buckle ur wheel for a while, and may need them to settle
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    it does really depend on the rim.

    wider tyres are not always better winter tyres.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • rhialto
    rhialto Posts: 277
    nicklouse is correct: typically tires ridden in mud and glop tend to be thinner rather than fatter.

    As for changing tire widths, it depends. According to Sheldon Brown, "If you use a very wide tire on a narrow rim, you risk sidewall or rim failure. This combination causes very sloppy handling at low speeds." If you can find the spec for your rims, look at the width. To make things more complicated, some manufacturers quote outer width, other inner width. For example, I have XT M775 wheels with a outer width of 23 mm. Shimano's docs say I can run max 26x2.25 tires. I have run 2.3 tires without issues but the tire does seem to be flexy at that size on my rims. Another example, Mavic Crossrides have an internal width of 19mm and they recommend max 2.3 width tires. Hope this helps.
  • muchbetterTom
    muchbetterTom Posts: 13
    As above - tyre width readdy depends on the internal width of the rim. Wider tyres generally work better on wider rims. I'd not go much wider than 2.3s on 17mm internal width mavic 717s - you can see that the profile of the tyre is quite rounded. Unless I was running proper wide FR/DH rims (such as Deemax rims etc) I'd not be running 2.5 inch tyres, for example.

    In your case, I'd go up to a 2.2 inch tyre, without worrying about it.

    Also, remember that different tyres measure up different widths - MY 2.25" Maxxis Advantages come up a fair bit wider than my 2.3" High Rollers (which are more tall, than wide, IME).

    Its all a bit confusing, at times!

Categories