Touring Tyres on Giant XTC 29 1

[thecarlo]

Hi all,

 

I'm planning an extended tour on a mountain bike, and am currently busy choosing my rig.

 

I've decided on a Giant XTC 29er 1 (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-za/bikes/model/xtc.29er/8345/46806/) and would like to put some hardy tyres on it as I'm going to be covering long distances in remote terrain.

 

I've got my eye on the Schwalbe Marathon Cross tyres (http://www.schwalbe.com/gbl/en/produkte/tour_city/produkt/?ID_Produktgruppe=36&ID_Produkt=138) - they have an excellent reputation for being puncture proof and give good mileage - 8000 km +

 

My question is : will this tyre fit? I don't really know how tyre and rim sizes work - the Schwalbe site says the tyre dimensions are : 28 x 1.50, 700 x 38C

 

The Giant rim is a Giant P-XC2 29er and the tyres on it have the following dimensions : Maxxis Aspen, 120 tpi, 29x2.1 Folding

 

Seems like the tyres it comes with are a tad wider and an inch bigger and a bit wider, but I see that other MTB riders use the Schwalbe 28" tyres on their 29ers.

 

Please advise.

 

Thanks

[Karakoram]

 

My question is : will this tyre fit? I don't really know how tyre and rim sizes work - the Schwalbe site says the tyre dimensions are : 28 x 1.50, 700 x 38C

 

The Giant rim is a Giant P-XC2 29er and the tyres on it have the following dimensions : Maxxis Aspen, 120 tpi, 29x2.1 Folding

 

 

Thanks

 

I've been shopping around to find replacement rubber for my 29er and found replacement tyres still to be scarce and expensive in SA. So, I did some Internet research and noted a good selection at chainreactioncycles.com. If you order a few bits and bobs together with your tyre order, the transport costs don't work out all that much. At least you will have a wide selection of touring tyres to choose from, which will be hard to match locally.

 

I was also interested in trying out less expensive touring or cyclocross tyres for my 29er and had to solve the tyre sizing issue.

 

Not sure if I got this absolutely right, but the term "29er" is only marketing speak for a standard 700c or ISO 622mm (aka 28 incher)rim, but with allowance to fit a wider tyre. The "29x2.1" of your current tyres means that it is a 700C tyre, 2.1 inches wide, which converts to 53mm. Normally tyre widths narrower than 2" are considered cyclocross or touring bike tyres.

 

So, the Schwalbes you are considering will fit the rim diameter, but will probably be too narrow. Most rim manufacturers provide a table of the range of tyre widths which can safely be fitted. I have a hunch that you should not select a tyre width narrower than 42mm. (Probably in the 42 to 47mm range).

 

I am waiting for delivery of my shipment of a pair of inexpensive Continental Cyclo X - 700 x 42c Tyres which I want to fit to my 29er rims. They get a decent review on BikeRadar (http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/tyres/road) (Most other tyres have also been reviewed by bikeradar - check it out)