Minimum tyre size

[grellboy]

Evening. Looking to get some gatorskins for my cx bike, but not sure what is the smallest I can go. I have some mavic rims but the markings are not much help. Currently rocking 35mm Rocket Rons. Was thinking 32mm gators, but should/could I go lower?

 

[StuAff]

What rims, or failing that what do the markings say?

 

[grellboy]

Mavic xm 319 32 hole. If that helps!

 

[StuAff]

I have a set of wheels built on A719 rims- same width- on my Trek, run 28mms for well over 14k miles without problems. According to Mavic, XC wheels of the same width (XM 319s seem to be discontinued) are good for 28-62mm widths. They're probably being conservative, but any marginal gains of lighter weight from going to 25mms (say) would be offset by a harsher ride.

 

[Spiderweb]

My Specialized Crux CX bike came with 32mm CX tyres. I have used 25mm Armadillo road tyres on the same Rim before so you'll probably be fine with 25mm Gatorskins should you wish.

 

[alvintc]

I just made a similar switch - 33 Racing Ralphs to 28 michelins

I run Mavic Aksiums

 

[ufkacbln]

On the rim is a number in the format xxx-yy

The xxx is the rim size (as in 26", 20" etc)

The yy is the width of the rim

As a rough rule the tyre width should not be less than this rim width

 

[Ajax Bay]

Mavic xm 319

622x19C so - see chart in first link below - minimum of 28.
AASHTA
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
Clear diagram in the first page of this article if you can't find numbers on the rim to tell you interior rim width.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/rim-sizing.html

 

[outlash]

FWIW, I have 419 rims on a set of wheels and they've been rolling with schwalbe duranos in 25's for some time now.