Wider Tyre Front

[Swedish Ginger]

Hi I have a Raleigh Felix Hybrid Ebike.
I'm a photographer and go everywhere with my bike to find good photography spots. It's mostly roads but very often I go up on mountains or on small forest trails.
I use 28 * 1.60 (42-622) Schwalbe Marathon Mondial tyres. I love that tyre because it can handle anything.
Now I'm thinking about putting a 28 *2.00 (50-622) tire at the front.
I can't have a wider tyre at the rear because of the mudguard. My thinking is that it's more important to have better grip on the front than on the rear. If I go off road it's good if the front float over obstacles than diving down and it makes my ride more comfortable and I'm less likely to crash. (I think a slip at the rear is easier to handle.

I only had the bike for three months, but already rode 2500 kilometers on every kind of surface.
So what do you think? Is it a good idea? Or is it to much difference to have a 1.60 tire rear and two inches wide front?

I love Marathon Mondial and want to keep using them, but there is no size between 1.60 and 2.00

Kind regards
Olof

 

[Alaskan]

Looking closely at photos of the Raleigh Felix on line, it appears that there is ample room to put a slightly wider fender/mud guard on the rear of the bike. It appears the only limiting factor might be the cross bar between the seat stays, to which the rear fender is attached. It may be possible to cut the fender into two pieces at that point and fashion a custom bracket that would elevate the fender even with the top of the cross bar. A pop rivet would be the quickest and easiest way to connect the two pieces of the fend to the custom mounting bracket which could be made out of a 2cm wide bit of thin stainless stock and easily bent to accomplish making room for a wider tire in the back as well.

 

[Swedish Ginger]

There's another little problem. The cable for the back light is under the mudguard.

To be honest I think it was a pretty stupid place to put a cable

 

[fooferdoggie]

There's another little problem. The cable for the back light is under the mudguard.

To be honest I think it was a pretty stupid place to put a cable

thats pretty usual. I tore two out when I got my pannier strap wedged in between the wheel and fender.

 

[Swedish Ginger]

But what do you think of the idea of having a wider tire front, and is the difference too big from 1.60 to 2?
I already spent 80 euro on the Marathon Mondials, and I would save a few quid if I only replace the front tire

 

[PedalUma]

But what do you think of the idea of having a wider tire front, and is the difference too big from 1.60 to 2?
I already spent 80 euro on the Marathon Mondials, and I would save a few quid if I only replace the front tire

I think it is a fine idea. Many cross country trail bikes and down hill bikes have larger more aggressive wheels and tyres in front.

 

[Swedish Ginger]

I think it is a fine idea. Many cross country trail bikes and down hill bikes have larger more aggressive wheels and tyres in front.

And you think the difference between 1.60 and 2.00 is ok?
I know some bikers have wider front tyres, but I thought it mostly was just slightly wider...

 

[PedalUma]

@Swedish Ginger, 0.4 inches is 10mm, or 5mm to the left, 5 to the right and about 5mm more in height. If an 8mm allen key can pass all the tight spots, you will be fine. Check the back with this same test. It may also clear. I just put 50mm (2-inch) tires on a bike that had 35's. What a difference. I did remove the fenders to make room, but we are already into fire season in Northern California. No rain in sight here. The tire upgrade is also a good opportunity to replace the tubes with fresh ones, making sure they are the right size. 50-622 tubes for the front can be classified as 29ers when shopping.

 

[Swedish Ginger]

@Swedish Ginger, 0.4 inches is 10mm, or 5mm to the left, 5 to the right and about 5mm more in height. If an 8mm allen key can pass all the tight spots, you will be fine. Check the back with this same test. It may also clear. I just put 50mm (2-inch) tires on a bike that had 35's. What a difference. I did remove the fenders to make room, but we are already into fire season in Northern California. No rain in sight here. The tire upgrade is also a good opportunity to replace the tubes with fresh ones, making sure they are the right size. 50-622 tubes for the front can be classified as 29ers when shopping.

Thanks, it's actually only 8mm, since the tyres I have now is 42-622.
I think you have convinced me that this is a good idea, so I think I'll go for it and change the front tire .
Just need to check I have the right inner tubes first

I live in the rainy country of Ireland, so I think I need my mudguards.

 

[PedalUma]

I have fenders on all of my personal bikes because I ride in all conditions everyday. And they keep bikes cleaner even in gritty dust. That red one will be for sale as a leisure fashion statement, not daily transportation. It is akin to a Pashley Guv'nor. I will be making it electric.
Best of luck.

 

[PedalUma]

@Swedish Ginger! I just finished making that red bike electric. Check it out. I am wild for the Big Ben tires.