You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Conti tyres - are they true to listed width, or size up narrower/wider? I’m looking at Race Kings specifically, in 2.0" (50-622) or 2.2" (55-622).
Can anyone offer experience of the actual real-life width of these?
Currently using Clement XPlor MSO 700x50 (50-622) which are wider than listed at 54.2mm on a 25mm internal width XR391 – my SKS Edge AL56s only just cover them. I'm surprised at the width! I’d be disappointed if the 2.0 RK comes up small in real life as I’m enjoying the comfort of my Clements, but equally the 2.2 RK would cause mudguard clearance issues* if it’s anything bigger than listed.
I measured a few tyres to compare (all on 25mm rims) – not surprising (but still annoying) about variance from listed size:
- Schwalbe G-One Ultrabite 700x50 (50-622) – 48.6mm
- Ardent 29x2.25” (56-622) – 56.5mm
- Minion DHF 29x2.3” (58-622) – 56.5mm
- Vittoria Saguaro 29x2.2” (55-622) – 57.6mm
* frame has clearance for wider guards front and rear but I’ve no idea which wider full-length guards would play well, and I like my SKSs. Rear would need to be more rounded profile due to tightness at chainstays.
Think I've answered my own query, but extra info from anyone with experience of them always welcomed.
2.0" version measured at 49mm on a 18mm width rim here, so I'm guessing on my wider 25mm internal rim they'll measure the true 50mm (or a teeny bit more).
2.2" measured at 54mm on a 18mm rim here.
Not that it's helping me decide as I'd prefer the extra width/volume of the 2.2" but that means mission creep to find wider full length guards to accomodate them...
The Germans love a bit of precision - this site has measurements for Race Kings on all sorts of different rims
55.5mm on a 24.6mm ZTR Arch rim for the 2.2
49mm on a 25mm rim for the 2.0
The Germans love a bit of precision – this site has measurements for Race Kings on all sorts of different rims
Oh wow, that's a new site to me and one I could easily lose a few hours on! Thanks, I think.
55.5mm on a 24.6mm ZTR Arch rim for the 2.2
49mm on a 25mm rim for the 2.0
Got a 2.2 raceking at 54mm on a 20mm int. rim here.
2.2 appear to be better for me. If they don't fit under my mudguards, it might be the excuse I need for a set of PDW full metal fenders. The 2.0 at 49mm on a 25mm rim is same width as the 700x50 G-One Ultrabites I found harsh.
Thanks @bikesandboots, very helpful. If you've got any pics showing the guard profile and coverage on the 2.2 Race Kings I'd be keen to see.
The guard ends up with splashes of mud, but my clothes stay clean. Including my shoes after adding a mud flap made of damp course to the front one.
I've never heard the guard contact the tyre, although this is a rigid bike so hand comfort keeps me off anything too rough.
The guard ends up with splashes of mud, but my clothes stay clean. Including my shoes after adding a mud flap made of damp course to the front one.
Thanks @bikesandboots. Exactly the same with my current Edge AL56s - occasional splash of muck on the guards but nothing makes it onto me, so all good.
Well, I can report they size up fairly true to size: 54.8mm on my 25mm internal rims. Less than 1mm bigger than the tyres I've taken off and seem to be an OK fit under the AL56s. No more bulbous so no mudguard adjustment necessary. Not ridden with them yet though...
Ended up with the middling 'Shieldwall' version - not the cheap wired ones, but not the expensive ProTection ones either.
Bloody hell @bikesandboots - your lawn must be in some state to have to blank it all out like that 🙂