Cheviot limits

[Jay Lonner]

Over the weekend I took advantage of Riv's Halloween promotion and ordered up a Cheviot for my wife. Right now she's riding an undersized Salsa Casseroll with Panaracer Pasela 32s, and I'd like to provide her with a plusher ride similar to my Hunq wth Big Bens (she prefers a step-through frame though, so a Hunq is out). We live in the PNW so fenders are non-negotiable. When I talked to the nice man at Riv over the weekend he suggested something no wider than a 40, but that seems a little conservative to me. I'd be curious to know what tires other Cheviot riders are using. Could I make a Little Big Ben work without too much hassle? On a related note, any thoughts on what brakes provide the most clearance? I'd like to use the Paul centerpulls, but are the Dia-Compes going to do a better job of accommodating fenders and a fattish tire?

Thanks,

Jay Lonner

Bellingham, WA

[Joe Bernard]

I had Fatty Rumpkins labeled 41.5 on a Chev with SKS fenders. In my opinion that's the practical limit before you start squeezing stuff down too much, Cheviot is not a 'lots of tire and fender' bike like the canti models.

[Dorothy C]

Which size Cheviot? I have the 55cm, with SKS fenders and Panaracer Pasela 650b 1.75 which work. Tektro R559 brakes. At first I bought some 50mm Conti basketball tires, and I could fit the rear fender on top of the brake arms with some trimming on the fender sides, but the front fender was definitely a no go, especially with a front Mark’s rack.

Someone more knowledgeable can probably weigh in, but I don’t think you can fit centerpulls because of the brake cable routing.

[jeffrey kane]

I'm 99.9% sure you can't fit 47's and fenders on a Chev ... so that leaves you in the 42 / 1.75 tire with fenders category. We're running Hetres and V/O Snakeskin fenders (and those are technically only 50 but it's working) on a 55. I could probably scare up a few pics of the fit if you're interested

[Bill Lindsay]

I use Tektro R559 brakes on several bikes in my stable, and many Cheviuts get Tektro R559 brakes.  When I am using Tektro R559 brakes and fenders, I always limit myself to 38mm tires or narrower.  I've managed to get 42mm tires to 'work' as in 'not rubbing' when I spin the wheels in the stand, but it was far too close for me to be comfortable. 

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Stephen W.]

I had 50 Big Bens and Woody's flat fenders on my 60cm Cheviot...Tektro 559s...it was tight but it worked.

Stephen

[Stephen W.]

[Joe Bernard]

To be clear for the OP, Woody fenders aren't going to correlate to curved SKS plastic. The Woodys are notched at the bridges and don't wrap the tire..you'll get less real-world rain protection in exchange for fitting fat rubber.

[lambbo]

I have knobby 42s on my Cheviot under SKS with plenty of room - Paul centerpulls