Maximum Tire Size

William T. Collins Jr MD

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Oct 7, 2002, 8:15:34 PM10/7/02

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Hi everyone,

What is the maximum tire size that fits typical racing bikes? I have a
LeMond Zurich and a Litespeed Classic, both with Mavic Open Pro/Ultegra
wheelsets. I'd like to fit larger tires for the occasional rough road
rides that come up. What about 700x28c?

Thanks in advance

Bill

David Ornee

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Oct 7, 2002, 9:59:59 PM10/7/02

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"William T. Collins Jr MD" <wcol...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:wcollins-64EB3F...@nntp.mindspring.com...

28s will work on the rims.
Fit in the fork, frame, and under brakes will be the issue.
28s from different manufacturers have different dimensions. If you can find
a local shop that will let you try and buy if they fit, that may be the best
way. Inflated 28s may be a tight squeeze in between the brakes when they
are in the "open" position. You can inflate after they are secured in the
drop outs.
Dave Ornee, Western Springs, IL

Russell Yim

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Oct 7, 2002, 10:45:04 PM10/7/02

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IMO, 700 x 28 on an Open Pro would be OK; it would what I consider a
"class B" fit...there is a marginal chance that the fit will cause a
problem. The widest ideal size ("class a") would be 700 x 26. This all
supposes accurately marked sizes by the tire manufacturer; that the
tires measures to those widths when fully inflated.

Russell

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Mike Latondresse

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Oct 8, 2002, 12:09:04 AM10/8/02

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"William T. Collins Jr MD" <wcol...@mindspring.com> wrote in

news:wcollins-64EB3F...@nntp.mindspring.com:

I just rode through northwestern BC (from Bella Coola to Williams Lake
to Vancouver for those who know geography) on a Classic covering 500k+
of gravel roads on the way. Preparing for this I tried to fit
Specialized Armidillo 28s and found it only left me with 1 or 2mm of
clearance to the brake bridges, and I felt that if the wheel went a
little out of true I was screwed. I ended up using 25s and they had
more than enough clearance but would have liked the 28s on some of the
climbs were traction was the issue.

Bill Collins

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Oct 8, 2002, 8:03:33 AM10/8/02

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What's the maximum tire size for a typical racing bike? I have a
LeMond Zurich and a Litespeed Classic, both with short reach Ultegra
brakes. I'd like to use a larger tire size for the occasional rough
road ride we do. Would a 700x28C fit these bikes? Thanks in advance.

Bill

Steve Palincsar

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Oct 8, 2002, 6:30:00 PM10/8/02

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You're really going to have to try it. I have a Spectrum Ti road bicycle
(1991 vintage, with an aluminum fork) and I'm able to fit a 700x28 tire
in there. Others, esp. with carbon forks, have insufficient clearance
for anything larger than a 700x23. Most, I believe, will fit a 700x25.