Largest Tire Size on 2005 Trek 520??

[Rex Kerr]

The Bontrager racelight hardcase tires that I have on my Trek 520 have
gone 5300+ miles and after my last loaded tour are missing some fairly
large chunks of rubber. (BTW, they did almost all of those miles with
no flats, then about 200 miles ago during my tour I got into a patch
of goatheads while looking for a campsite and had two flats at once
the next morning, four per tire)

Has anybody here tried a tire wider than 32? How wide could I go w/o
having to cut the fenders? How wide can I go if I'm willing to cut
the fenders and make a custom bracket?

I'm considering 35s, but the LBS here has 38s in stock and I thought
they might be worth trying... I'll definitely be sticking w/ the
hardcase as I've never had tires last that long before!

[landotter]

About 37mm is as wide as you'll comfortably fit under most 45mm
touring type fenders. I've done 38mm cross tires, and it's too close
for comfort.

[Qui si parla Campagnolo]

See if the LBS will let ya put them on just to see(not ride them).
Pictures worth lotz of words.

[Rex Kerr]

Thanks... I found specs for my fenders and they agree with your
statement. I could go to SKS 50 mm fenders, but that'd add a lot to
the cost. Unfortunately it doesn't look like Trek makes those tires
in 35 width. I'm fairly sure 35 tires will fit in the frame, so now I
have to decide whether to risk another brand or just stick with the
tires I've got and have them ordered since the LBS doesn't stock them.

[Rex Kerr]

> See if the LBS will let ya put them on just to see(not ride them).
> Pictures worth lotz of words.

Yeah, the LBS said that I could do that, but I'd rather avoid the work
if possible. :-)

[AMuzi]

"one measurement is worth a thousand opinions"

--
Andrew Muzi
<www.yellowjersey.org/>
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

[Rich]

Rex Kerr <rex...@gmail.com> wrote in news:5c346146-6826-4c5d-beb4-
512c7e...@z4g2000prh.googlegroups.com:

> Thanks... I found specs for my fenders and they agree with your
> statement. I could go to SKS 50 mm fenders, but that'd add a lot to
> the cost. Unfortunately it doesn't look like Trek makes those tires
> in 35 width. I'm fairly sure 35 tires will fit in the frame, so now I
> have to decide whether to risk another brand or just stick with the
> tires I've got and have them ordered since the LBS doesn't stock them.

I have a 2005 520, and I think I read somewhere that the stock wheels will
accept up to 38mm. Unfortunately, I have Planet Bike Freddy Fenders that
can only go to 35. I put on some Schwalbe Marathon Plus 35s for a recent
C&O Canal tour, and they cleared the fenders OK, but only just barely on
the front.

[landotter]

On Oct 23, 7:00 am, Rich <m...@fakeaddress.net> wrote:
> Rex Kerr <rexk...@gmail.com> wrote in news:5c346146-6826-4c5d-beb4-
> 512c7e62c...@z4g2000prh.googlegroups.com:

45mm fenders will work fine with 37-8mm tires--if the frame allows
them room enough. I've also used them on a bike where the dual pivot
brakes didn't allow for a tire larger than 32mm.

[russell...@yahoo.com]

On Oct 22, 5:27 pm, Rex Kerr <rexk...@gmail.com> wrote:

I had a 1991 Trek 520. With fenders of some kind. It fit 35mm and
38mm tires front or rear.

[incredulous]

On Oct 23, 9:48 am, "russellseat...@yahoo.com"

Variance between brands at one size may exceed the variance between
sizes. The iso standard, if the mfg is following it, and most don't,
lets tire height and width vary independently. Then, there are tires
at these larger sizes with squared, padded shoulders (which could be
shaved off without harm to accommodate a fender), and those without
them.

hpt