Bicycle rims: what tires fit?

[FightingChance]

I just got a used Giant Rincon with tires described as '26 x 2.1'. I want street tires instead of mountain bike tires; am I limited to tires that come in 26 x 2.1 only, or can I fit 26 x 2.0 (or smaller)?

 

[Dirigible]

You need the 26 part. You can go smaller and larger on the other measurement by a fair amount. Exactly how much depends on you particular rims but you should be safe in a range from 1.5 to 2.4 and can likely go smaller than 1.5 before running into issues.

 

[FightingChance]

Great, thanks. Thought there was room to go up or down in width but wasn't sure.

 

[Dirigible]

Yeah. On the bigger side you are probably more constrained by what will fit on your frame than anything else. On the smaller side you don't want to be so small thy you are narrower than the rim - want a little rounding out as the tire extends from the bead.

 

[Dirigible]

Just looked and my slick tires are 26 x 1.4 and I could definitely go smaller.

 

[Tiamat]

if you can ask your local bike shop they would probably know. Otherwise, I tried looking up the bike and the Giant website didn't really list any brand/specs for the wheels. Certainly the 26 portion is most important and has to be the same. Most likely you can switch to 26x1.5 without problems. REI's website seems to indicate people switching out 2" knobbies for 1.5"-1.6" sport tires without problems in order to improve the commute.

 

[FightingChance]

Oh - will I need new tubes as well? I imagine I would, considering how much smaller these tires are than the knobbies.

 

[DrVos]

Oh - will I need new tubes as well? I imagine I would, considering how much smaller these tires are than the knobbies.

you probably will. Tubes will support a range of widths. If you are going as narrow as 1.4, you're existing tubes will most likely not fit.

 

[scott916]

I run Ritchey Tom Slicks (26/1.4) on my mountain bike, and you usually need 1.0-1.4 tubes. They suck in the rain, but they're great on dry pavement.

 

[kalrith]

I use 26 x 1.25 slicks on my MTB rims. I also use 26 x 2.1 knobbies on there.

And you'll most definitely need new tubes. Also, don't forget to get an extra tube in the smaller size as well. If you get a flat, your spare 26 x 2.1 tube won't do much good with your skinny tires.