Wheel advice

[m.krupp]

Need advice on correct inner (i) size of a wheel to hold a 29 x 2.6″. I  currently ride a 29 x 2.4 on a wheel that is i29. I am reading mixed stuff on my research. Some wheel sites indicate a i29 is not big enough for a 2.6″ tire and others advertise that it will work. On wider wheels I don’t see any sites claiming a i35 will work for a 2.6″ tire. It seems 2.6″ seems to be in a no man’s land. I emailed Salsa to see what they advise, the bike is 17 Timberjack 29er. Looking to here from those out there with experience or knowledge or someone that can point me to a place that has good guidelines. I would ask the bike shop if they were open. Thoughts?? Experience??

[ZipHead]

i35 rims will work just fine, depending on the tire (different bead thicknesses, etc.). Should give the tires a nice profile.

[mtnryder ✓ supporter]

If the i29 is a legitimate 29mm INSIDE diameter, you’re fine running 2.6 tires.

[Bike Nerd]

There is not one perfect inner rim width for any given tire width.  Instead, there is a range of rim widths that will work well.  For 2.6 tires, i25-40mm rims will work fine and I wouldn’t hesitate to put a 2.6 tire on any of these rim widths.  If you want less weight, use narrower rims.    If you want to use less tire pressure, use wider rims.   In general, most bikes that come from the factory with 2.6 tires have i30 rims but a significant number also come from the factory with i35 rims.  If you stay in the middle of the i25-40mm range you can’t really screw it up.   I don’t think most people could tell the difference performance wise between a 2.6 tire on an i29 rim and on an i36 rim.  So yeah, i29 is more than just fine.  I think the current 2020 Timberjacks come with 29×2.6 tires on i29 rims.

 

2.0 tires    i15-25 rims

2.2 tires    i15-30 rims

2.4 tires    i20-35 rims

2.6 tires    i25-40 rims

2.8 tires    i30-45 rims

3.0 tires    i35-50 rims

[m.krupp]

Thanks for the feedback all. I appreciate it.

[Author]

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