I have an (OLD!!!) Felt road bike running 23c tyres on a 14mm rims (pictured). The tyres fitted are knackered and I’d quite like to fit tyres with a bit more volume but I’m unsure if 25c will clear the chainstays. Current clearance is approx 8mm non drive side, and 7mm on the drive side. What do the roadies here think?
by rockandrollmark
6 Comments
Hell, I’d do it. I’m no mechanic, though.
23 to 25 is only a 1mm difference on each side. I’d venture to guess you can fit a 28 or even a 30 on there.
It’s only 1 mm difference per side, so absolutely no problem. If the wheel is true, I would be comfortable even with 28 mm if it fits your brakes.
The only disclaimer is that tires are not perfectly true to the size printed on them. Some “25 mm” or “28 mm” tires are wider than others.
Just don’t try to fit any “gravel oriented” tyres with little knobs or ride on major gravel\sand\mud that can potentially stick to the tyre and then cause rubbing, but yeah you can likely fit up to a 28mm. Usually 5mm is considered safe, so even on the drive side it would be just under but still ok if on slicks\shallow thread.
It will work. No worry be happy
how true a 25mm tire will fit as a true 25mm on your rims will depend on inner rim width; a narrow rim means the tire tends to inflate to a little under the specified width. for example my 28mm tires measure to be a 26.5mm on my 17.5mm internal rim width