I have a Cube GTC SLX bike for which I finally decided to order some nice carbon wheels. I ordered Light Bicycle AR56 with 30mm external width (see previous post if you're curious about the details). I am currently running tires which measure at 31mm and I have plenty of clearance everywhere and I've had no issues with it, so I figured a 30mm wide rim will be perfect.
A week after ordering the wheelset I saw a youtube video discussing a chain stay limitation for a rim width – it had never occurred to me that this might be an issue, I've only ever dealt with tire clearance issues before.
But that made me check my bike, and now I am concerned. The current stock aluminium rims measure at 26mm wide and as you can see in the image I can easily get a 6mm allen key in the narrowest spot – I measured the narrowest spot and marked it with a white water colour. Both sides are symmetrical and it appears I have around 6.5 mm to each side.
With the new 30mm rims I will probably be down to around 4mm clearance on each side. There is nothing I can do currently, I will have to wait and perhaps order a narrower rim for the rear.
What are your opinions and experiences?
by Beginner_Cyclist
6 Comments
4mm should be enough for a well tuned set of wheels
Send it. That’s plenty of space.
My bike mechanic did this thing to see if my tires were too wide for my frame: He puts his foot one of the pedals and pressed really hard to cause max frame flex and then he could see if the the tire (or rim) touched the frame.
Also: My tire clearance was a lot less than yours
Man. I remember getting my first set of 30mm wide (external) MTB rims and thinking they were MASSIVE and finally gave my tires enough support…
Its a cube… just flex it wider
That’s plenty of clearance.