Tire and frame clearance

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Sam
Posts: 323
Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:07 pm
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden

by Sam

I just received my new set of wheels: DA-7900 hubs, Velocity A23 rims and Sapim Laser spokes. A beautiful set of wheels if I may say so myself. :thumbup: When paired to my Continental GP4000s 25mm tires, they create a smooth transition between tire and rim. On the rims, the tire is ~ 26,5mm wide.

My problem is that this setup does not work with the chainstays of my current bike, a Scott CR1 from '08. It barely touches the frame most of the revolution.

An option is to try 23mm tires with the rims, but it feels weird to go up a dimension on the rims and go down a dimension on tires in order to get the setup working. Another option is to look for a (cheaper) frame with more tire clearance. But the main issue is that the majority manufacturers don't list the tire clearance. Two of the frames I've searched for are Canyon Ultimate AL and Cannondale Caad10, with mixed results.

Do you really have to buy something like a Surly Pacer in order to make use of the wheels!? :cry: :noidea:

HillRPete
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by HillRPete

Go with the 23mm tyres?

Even if manufacturers listed the clearance, that would not be exact science, since the actual width depends a lot on the tyre in question, and rim it's being on.

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Rick
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by Rick

Conti also makes a 24mm GP (not 4000s though)

Available at PBK. I have a few stashed.

Sam
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by Sam

wassertreter wrote:Go with the 23mm tyres?


I guess. At least I have to try. But I really like the wider tires.

bricky21
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by bricky21

I have the exact same wheels you have, and my Conti GP4000s 23c tires measure 25.87mm wide. I'm not sure how they measure on a narrower rim such as Kinlin or open pro.

Sam
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by Sam

bricky21 wrote:I have the exact same wheels you have, and my Conti GP4000s 23c tires measure 25.87mm wide. I'm not sure how they measure on a narrower rim such as Kinlin or open pro.


That's great info. Thanks!

Sam
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by Sam

By the way, what frame do you ride?

jdp211
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by jdp211

You could try a 25c tire that measures narrower, though I'm not sure how to find that out except by trial and error.

bricky21
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by bricky21

Sam wrote:By the way, what frame do you ride?


Parlee Z4...

sawyer
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by sawyer

The Canyon has a lot of clearance. Any 25mm tyre will be fine.
----------------------------------------
Stiff, Light, Aero - Pick Three!! :thumbup:

Sam
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by Sam

Which model are you referring to?

sawyer
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by sawyer

Ultimates - AL and carbon
----------------------------------------
Stiff, Light, Aero - Pick Three!! :thumbup:

Sam
Posts: 323
Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:07 pm
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden

by Sam

Gonna try with 23c. Hopefully they will fit. I like my frameset more than the need of riding 25c. The new rims will probably make the ride better than before anyway.

by Weenie


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elviento
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by elviento

Modern road bikes are generally not designed for tires over 25mm... There are many tradeoffs a frame designer has to consider in the design process.
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