Maximum Tire Size?

Gionnirocket

Gionnirocket

Well-Known Member
Region
USA
City
Y. O.
I've always replaced my tires with the same size or on occasion slightly smaller.
But now I'd like to go a little bigger... Stock were 26 x 2.1, now looking at 2.2's or more
How do you determine the maximum tire that will fit my rims? bike?
 
Frame and fender clearance are key issues of course, but so is the tread design. Schwalbe's chart on TIRE DIMENSIONS might help with this. Other manufacturers may publish similar data for various combinations of tire size and tread as well. To the Google!
 
Thanks!
Been doin' the google too.
Looks like frame / fender clearance is not an issue, especially since I'm looking at a tire with a mostly pavement tread and minimal outer nobs. Just not 100% sure on bead seating as a potential problem.

ps... running the Tough Guy strips, so far no flats
 
Gionnirocket said:
Thanks!
Been doin' the google too.
Looks like frame / fender clearance is not an issue, especially since I'm looking at a tire with a mostly pavement tread and minimal outer nobs. Just not 100% sure on bead seating as a potential problem.

ps... running the Tough Guy strips, so far no flats
Click to expand...
Schwalbe also has a chart for that! Same link as before, just click on the "Which tire fits which rim" pulldown. This chart is based on the ETRTO tire fit standards. You'll need to look up or measure your rim width and then match it with tire widths.

BTW - me too on the no flats thing!
 
...if I can add to the question.
Staying with the same tire do you think there will be much difference in ride going from 26 x 1.75 to 2.2?
Looking to soften things as much as possible.
 
The Schwalbe table shows a lot of overlap for rims widths that will work with both of those sizes with only the narrower 17c rims being an issue. To be safe, I'd check the actual rim width, but you're probably OK. Can't say about frame or fender clearance. The 2.2" tire is almost 1/2" bigger...
 
And that 1/2 " translates to roughly 25% wider. Do you think that is enough to have a noticeable ride difference?
 
1/2 wider with lower pressure will be noticeable both in ride cushion and resistance.

What exactly is it that you are looking for with a different tire?
If you are looking for a softer ride, there are better ways to achieve that without going to wider softer tires.
 
That throws in another variable. The 1.75 have a range of 35 - 60psi
The 2.2 have a max of 80psi. The low end isn't noted. I guess I have a phone call to make tomorrow.

@ruffruff.. You have my ear.
Looking for a softer ride and overall better tire.
Currently riding Kenda K847 26x1.95
Own but never mounted Kenda Kwick Drumlin 26 x 1.75
Thinking of selling the thinner Drumlin for the wider option
Kwick Drumlin
 
I'm probably splitting hairs here but I ended up ordering the Kwick Drumlin 2.2 this morning after speaking with Kenda. The added minimum pressure required by the 2.2 over the 1.75 is more than compensated for by the increased air volume... or so they say.
I opted for the KS 3mm flat protection over the KS+ 5mm flat protection as they also recommended this for better ride quality and less weight.
Got what I think is a decent deal, both tires for $52 delivered.
Now let's see if I can notice a difference over the K847 @ 1.95 wide I'm currently riding.
In the end I feel it's a better all around tire anyway being eBike rated and with the KS flat shield. The K847 isn't even on the Kenda site as it's a mass production tire sold under many labels... For which I paid just slightly less for
Anywho... In the end it's probably more of a case that I had a few $$ burning a hole in my pocket 🙃

Thanks @Sierratim for the input.
 
Suntour NCX should be here this week. Currently riding a basic spring.
And I have 3 saddles I keep rotating between. Seems each feels better for about a week or two, then my arś wants something different 🙃
 
New tires just arrived and the Suntour NCX is Out for Delivery this morning as well.
God I love new tire smell and getting boxes in the mail... I'm so damn immature 🙃

IMG_20200917_101139.jpg
 
Got these puppies mounted and getting ready for a test drive.
Two things I noticed that I already like about these tires.
The bead seated very easily which was not the case with the K847... they required a little soapy lube, over inflation as well as a fight. This always made me nervous about trying a repair on the road.
Though wider, these tires have a rounder profile and the unloaded contact surface looks to be less than half that of the K847. I'm anticipating a little less resistance.
Gonna hate to loose that new tire smell so quickly.
 
Sorry for the delay in getting back with the results of the test drive... I hope you were able to sleep last night 😅 🤣 😅

I started off going out for an 18 mile ride @ 60psi in the available range of 50-80psi and as I expected the roll resistance is a bit less. But what really impressed me was the feel of confidence in turns, especially leaning ones. The handling is superb. As for ride ride quality and comfort there was also an improvement and large bumps definitely weren't as jarring and smaller ones seemed smoother. Though as @ruffruff suggested... the increased tire size wasn't life changing. Still happy as there is a noticeable improvement and one of the motivating factors for the upgrade. But I have to say it again... I was overwhelmed on how nimble this made my 12 year old budget mtb feel.
Rocket & Ebert definitely give the Kenda Kwick Drumlin 👍👍

I happen to time it perfectly and when I got home I saw the USPS truck pulling away and a box on my steps. The Suntour NCX had arrived and a quick swap and back out for another 5 miles.... Again very impressed with the upgrade over a base Zoom spring loaded pogo stick.
Yesterday was a really good bicycle day and an even better one for my butt 🙃
Thanks for the input gentlemen.
 
Tires can be frustrating! I've had some you an pop on with your thumbs and some I gave up on and took to the pros.
I struggled so bad with the last Continental I broke my plastic tire levers and had cuts on my palms.
I took it in and the tech said it was awful.

I was talking to my kid about it and he told me his philosphy..."pay to have someone else deal with tire mounting".
 
Last edited:
I went 2.3 from 1.95. I have to monitor pressure to avoid the 2.3 from rolling off the somewhat narrower Alex rim wheels I had built.
 
ruffruff said:
Tires can be frustrating! I've had some you an pop on with your thumbs and some I gave up on and took to the pros.
I struggled so bad with the last Continental I broke my plastic tire levers and had cuts on my palms.
I took it in and the tech said it was awful.

I was talking to my kid about it and he told me his philosphy..."pay to have someone else deal with tire mounting".
Click to expand...

A little soapy water on the bead helps a lot... But not as much as letting someone else do it 👍
 
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