Tyre Size

[4500_rider]

Was wondering if anyone could tell me what the largest tyre size is I could put on the rear of a 4500?

Currently have 26x2.10 on the bike now but would like to go a little wider - would a 2.5 fit?  FYI, i run v-brakes on the bike, and the wheel is mavic crossride.

I know I should go out and measure myself, but my bike is in storage while i move and i dont have acces to it.  Cheers

[Frankd3000]

I don't know how similar the s/arm on your 4500 is to my 5000, so take this for what it's worth... I measured 2.25" between the brake bosses and 2.5" where the tire would actually be. So, if you don't mind squeezing the tire between the brakes then you could run a tire that big.

Anyone care to verify s/arm comparison (4500 ~> 5000)?

[4500_rider]

Thanks for the info FrankD3000, have decided to run a 2.5 on the back, got a really good deal on Michelin Wildgripper Hot S - $19.98, they normaly go for about $35 or more so if it dont fit well they'll go up on eBay and i'll get my money back

Here is the link if anyone is interested:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=4487&subcategory_ID=5430

[Dennis]

4500 rider,

I ran an IRC 2.25 Trail Bear on the back end of my Oz all last year without a problem. I am going with 2.1 Panaracer Smoke\Dart combo this year as it is a better combo for my area than the Weirwolf\TrailBear combo and is lighter. I used a 2.3 Weirwolf. a great tire, but 2.3 is more width than I really need. The bike feels more nimble with the narrower tires.

just a thought.

[smiley=groucho.gif]

[proflex252]

Had IRC Backcountries 2.25 and have Schwalbe Big Jim 2.25 now.

There's much space left for going big. 2.35, 2.4 are surely possible and 2.5 can.

Tell us if they fit, please!

[4500_rider]

Well, after ordering them nearly two weeks ago they finally arrived yesterday (michelin wildgripper's hot s 26x2.5's, one for front and rear).  



Got the red & black ones to go with the colour scheme on my bike, the red is, well, shocking and taking some getting used to, but on the plus side if i'm ever on a tarred city/town road motorists within a 2mi radius WILL see me.



Fitting them round my mavic crossrides was a bit of a job but otherwise no problems squeezing through the brakes and plenty of clearance left on the rear swing arm - about 5mm each side. A wheelset with a wider rim may be in order though.



Okay, have only done 20 or so miles on them so far so cant really comment on durablilty but I think they'll hold up for at least two seasons of 60+ miles a week.



The grip is excellant in the dry and on the surfaces i ride on - loose gravel & sand and the usually carpet of pine needles, leaves,twigs and other forna you find on the forest floor, roots are no problem either, have yet to try them on decent sized rocks.  Braking is improved although if you lock the wheels up the ground looks like a plough has gone through it.



Havent tested them in the wet so I cant comment on the grip there, but i think they'll have a leg up on my old trailblasters which pretty much turned into slicks the moment they got a little damp (otherwise an excellant tyre).



Only main issue I can see with them is the sidewalls, there lacking on thickness and a sharp enough rock will tear through them pretty easily, and, whilst there is that 5mm or so clearance each side on the rear when it gets muddy its going to collect on the swingarm quite quickly and impair speed.