Sometimes the answer is right there

[EricP]

Had been contemplating putting bigger tires on the Hillborne, but wasn't sure what would fit. After doing some research, realized that it would take 700x45c without a problem. So then started looking. Well, it turns out my Clem Smith Jr. was shipped with a set of 700x45c tires. Did the swap. While not a huge fan of them on the Clem, they are more than adequate for the Hillborne. Also swapped the bars to Soma Oxford and put the sneaker pedals back on. Still a bit of tweaking to do (lower saddle, lower stem and less downward tilt to the bars). Oh, and for good measure put the Nitto front rack back on along with the Sackville bag.  

Overall things seem to work. A 10 mile ride showed there weren't any things that seemed totally out of place. Well see how long this setup lasts. (Probably until Billie or Tosco bars are back in stock).

Eric Platt

St. Paul, MN 

[Pancake]

Maybe I'm just happy to see a similar Sam (double TT!), but I can also confirm that my Schwalbe G-One Allround tires fit at 700x45 - even with the little knobbies on the Allround tire. I wouldn't go bigger than that really, maybe 47 or 48mm slick tires would fit well enough but leave very little space between the rubber and the paint.

 

Take care,

Abe

[David Person]

I run RH Snoqualmie Pass (700c x 44) that really run closer to 41mm.  Fit fine without fenders.  I tried running a set of Oracle Ridge (700c x 47).  They fit, but it was hard getting them past the brake calipers (even with the cable fully slack).

[EricP]

Thanks! Hmm. That gives me some other tire ideas. What else are folks using for 700x45c tires? Don't have a lot of options near me, so what to see what others are using.

Also, Abe, what are those brake pad holders? Looks like larger mountain bike one on the Tektro 559.

Eric Platt

St. Paul, MN

[Pancake]

Eric, they are Riv recommended Kool Stop E-bike brake pads (73mm, but they come in 54mm too). Excellent pads! All part of my ongoing schemes and attempts to simulate the power of v-brakes on my side pull r559 brakes. I’m ready to have someone weld on some v-brake posts for that strong-enough-to-slow-this-heavy-guy-on-a-bike v-brake goodness. But these are as good as it gets in the meantime, and they’re very good pads. I also use compression less brake cable housing, also helps at the margins. 

From https://www.rivbike.com/products/brake-pads-kool-stop-e-bike :

“A guy who builds up tons of bikes asked me if I’d ever tried Kool-Stop e-bike brake pads, and of course not. Who’s going to do that out of the blue? I don’t replace brake pads until I hear the metal holders touching the rim, anyway.

The guy, Chris C., is not a raver and wasn’t pushy, but he seemed bursting with sincere enthusiasm for these pads, which he said are smooth and quiet and stop fantastically well, so we got samples, and holy cow.

I think these are as good as brake pads get, and I suspect they’re really the best in the world. The 73mm V-brake pads are thicker than most V-brake pads—probably so you don’t blow through skinny ones on rim-braked eBikes—and that’s another bonus. You can use the V-brake pads-with-holders on sidepulls, too.”

[EricP]

Thanks! Got the 54mm pads on my last order. Just haven't installed them yet. Will do that post-haste. Like you, am a large person and wouldn't mind these brakes having a touch more stopping power, although over the years have gotten to where I don't ride past my ability to stop. (Did briefly think about getting brake posts brazed on, but decided not to go that route for a few years). 

Previously had used the Yokozuna pads which had been my standard. Just can't figure out why I never thought about using 73mm pads/holders on sidepulls before. It seems obvious, but just never crossed my mind.

Thanks! And now to start thinking about those Schwalbe tires.

Eric Platt

St. Paul, MN

[Guy LeVan]

I’ve had a bunch of luck running the Specialized Sawtooth tires in 42 and 47 on my Atlantis and Sam.  May be the simplest tubeless tire to set up on the market.  Quite happy with them.