I have a lightweight touring bike built for 26" MTB rims(i.e. 559 diameter)
I use tyres between 1" and 1.25". I now needs a new rim on the rear wheel, so my key question is which rim to choose?
I know CJ has covered the two subjects of rim/tyre width compatibility and fragile Mavics in recent issues of the CTC mag, but they've mostly used examples from the 700C world. Any words of wisdom for 559 rims would be appreciated.
My research so far has turned up the following: It seems the narrowest MTB cross country rims are around 17mm internal width, which should be just right for the above tyre sizes. At least it would be if we were talking 700C rims. However all the following rims have on their manufacturers website "minimum tyre width 1.5inch": Mavic XM517, Mavic XM317, DTSwiss X450, DTSwiss XR 4.1
So, why are the rules on tyre width relative to rim width different for MTB rims? Will there be any problem using my choice of tyres on these rims? I just can't see how the narrower tyres could fail to fit well!
Two rims I did find with recommended minimum tyre width of 1" were Mavic XC717 and Rigida X-Star 17. However, the Mavics are the lightest in their range so could have a short life expectancy used with a rim brake; and nowhere in the UK appears to sell Rigida rims (according to a famous web search engine, anyway.)
Final bit of info to steer the recommendations: nothing agricultural please - I weigh well under 60kg and so have no concerns about strength of a lightweight rim.
Which 26" rim for audax use?
Re: Which 26" rim for audax use?
attey wrote:I have a lightweight touring bike built for 26" MTB rims(i.e. 559 diameter)
I use tyres between 1" and 1.25". I now needs a new rim on the rear wheel, so my key question is which rim to choose?
I know CJ has covered the two subjects of rim/tyre width compatibility and fragile Mavics in recent issues of the CTC mag, but they've mostly used examples from the 700C world. Any words of wisdom for 559 rims would be appreciated.
My research so far has turned up the following: It seems the narrowest MTB cross country rims are around 17mm internal width, which should be just right for the above tyre sizes. At least it would be if we were talking 700C rims. However all the following rims have on their manufacturers website "minimum tyre width 1.5inch": Mavic XM517, Mavic XM317, DTSwiss X450, DTSwiss XR 4.1
So, why are the rules on tyre width relative to rim width different for MTB rims? Will there be any problem using my choice of tyres on these rims? I just can't see how the narrower tyres could fail to fit well!
Two rims I did find with recommended minimum tyre width of 1" were Mavic XC717 and Rigida X-Star 17. However, the Mavics are the lightest in their range so could have a short life expectancy used with a rim brake; and nowhere in the UK appears to sell Rigida rims (according to a famous web search engine, anyway.)
Final bit of info to steer the recommendations: nothing agricultural please - I weigh well under 60kg and so have no concerns about strength of a lightweight rim.
Have you tried talking to some of the wheelbuilders/bike builders?
e.g.
Pete Matthews
Spa Cycles
SJS cycles
Bob Jackson
etc?
I've tried 1" Michelin tyres on MTB rims (Wolber AT18) and the ride was horribly harsh - much worse than 700x23C on my race bike. I'd stick with 1.2 or 1.3s.
I really liked Toiga City Slicker, Hutchinson Top SLick and have just got some Conti GP, whcih seem fine if a little slippy in the wet when brand new- maybe they will wear in.
I really liked Toiga City Slicker, Hutchinson Top SLick and have just got some Conti GP, whcih seem fine if a little slippy in the wet when brand new- maybe they will wear in.
Re: Which 26" rim for audax use?
attey wrote:nowhere in the UK appears to sell Rigida rims (according to a famous web search engine, anyway.)
Spa Cyles sell Rigida rims (Chrina & Sputnik) - perhaps they could get you some in?
I found 17mm rims (Mavic T217) were OK on 700x25mm tyres. I don't see why a smaller wheel size should make any difference, so I'd just ignore the recommendations and use them.
Rims of 17mm width(internal) get the okay for tyres designated 25, from schwalbe.co.uk - Their Technical Information pdf quotes ERTRO[sic]* as a source for their guidelines.
*E.T.R.T.O. - The European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation
(I imagine that they would err on the side of caution.)
In the Schwalbe document section, "Which tire fits which rim?": The numbers seem to make sense even if the table headings are mixed.
*E.T.R.T.O. - The European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation
(I imagine that they would err on the side of caution.)
In the Schwalbe document section, "Which tire fits which rim?": The numbers seem to make sense even if the table headings are mixed.
Look at the DRCs. I've just scrapped a pair of Mavic X317s on the hack bike, worn out brake tracks after 2,260.68 miles. The rear nearside was flaring outwards under tyre pressure and would have blown very soon if I hadn't replaced it. Fair enough the bike gets all sorts of abuse on towpaths in all weathers, but I do my level best to keep the rims and pads clean, even stopping a couple of times per 5 mile journey to wash the wheels in the canal (!) Good job I got the rims on offer!.
If at first you don't succeed - cheat!!
-
andymiller
- Posts: 1716
- Joined: 8 Dec 2007, 10:26am
I'd definitely recommend having a word with Spa Cycles.
The weight of the XC717s is comparable to the weight of the 650c OpenPros so braking surface thickness should be comparable too.
Or maybe you could go to the XM719s - according to Sheldon Brown you could go down to a 28mm tyre with them. (I haven't checked on the availability of tyres in that size though).
The weight of the XC717s is comparable to the weight of the 650c OpenPros so braking surface thickness should be comparable too.
Or maybe you could go to the XM719s - according to Sheldon Brown you could go down to a 28mm tyre with them. (I haven't checked on the availability of tyres in that size though).