WHAT TIRE SIZES WORK WITH 18- & 19-WIDTH RIMS?

June 19, 2006

    I own a hybrid bike with Alex DH19 rims. My tires are 700x32C. I would like to find the minimum width of tire that can be used with these rims. I cannot find that information (even on Alex rims Web site!).
    Is there a way, knowing the exact dimensions (internal, external) of a rim to “compute” the compatible tire width? Thank you.

Michel K.

August 5, 2006

    I want to know if I am an idiot or not. I just ordered Vuelta XRP 700c wheels and TR8508-8510 Michelin Pro2 Race Tires. The wheels are 700c x 18 mm and the tires are 700 x 23. I don't know what I was thinking, but is there any way they are going to fit? Thanks.

John

Gentlemen:
    A tire with a width of 32 millimeters, such as the ones on Michel's bike, should work with rims having interior width of 15, 17, or 19 millimeters. So Michel's Alex rims should work.
    John, I’ve bad news for you: To fit those 23 mm tires you need a rim with interior width of no more than 15 mm. Your current rims will probably fit a tire no narrower than 25 mm wide. (Check that rim width again; I suspect you actually have rims 17 or 19 mm wide.)
    See also my comments on tire sizing.
    I don’t know of any way to calculate tire width from the rim width. A chart, tho, would work well. If I ever make one, I’ll let you know.

Mr Bike

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