Road bike with big tire clearances...

[MrCannonCam]

Didn't know how to title this differently but I already know half of the responses I'll get...

I'm trying to consolidate 2 bikes into one for the time being (buying house, renovating house, living in temporary place until said house is done and moving things multiple times...)

Bike will be 80% road use and 20% gravel/rail trail use (no racing next year, some group rides and fun stuff but doesn't have to be a proper race bike). Looking for a bike with more of a road geo/feel but somewhat decent tire clearance...I know the answer will be gravel/cyclocross bike but I did that on the road for years and it's not the same as a 'proper' road bike geo wise.

Will be 1000% a disc bike. Not purchasing a rim brake bike.

Came across a few used options in a 17 Synapse and 17 **domane. Anyone else have anything else I should be looking for? LBS has a BMC RoadMachine with 32's on it and that intrigued me, it'd be great to have room for 35's but I know the territory I'm getting into there. Have heard of people running 32's on the Synapse but never heard of anyone trying bigger. Not a big Trek guy but a buddy has an Domane** he has 35's on and likes it quite a bit. 35's would really be the biggest I'd need to go, seems the **Domane is the only proper 'road' bike I've heard capable of that clearance to this point...rode 32's on dirt roads for years but wouldn't mind the comfort of something a tad wider...

[weisan]

Every time I read someone's post about their frustrations over a tight fit with certain tires on their bikes, I was like..."hmmm, I don't seem to have that problem" - maybe I am just lucky with most, if not all, the bikes that I bought, they all came with ample tire clearance, or I should say, with the right amount of tire clearance that I need them for. The ones that don't - they seem to be always either carbon or designed with pure road racing geometry.

Spectrum Sports Touring S&S - fit up to 35mm - Ti
Rivendell Road Standard - fit up to 32mm - Steel
Hampsten Strada Bianca - fit up to 32mm - Steel
Jamis Elite Quest - fit up to 30mm - Steel
Serotta CXII - fit up to 28mm - Steel
Richard Sachs - fit up to 27mm - Steel
Merlin Agilis - fit up to 27mm - Titanium
Colnago C40 - fit up to 25mm - Carbon
Cervelo R3 - fit up to 25mm - Carbon

Notice the trend?

[p nut]

All City Mr Pink

[AngryScientist]

i would say that if you really want clearance for 35's, you rule out a "regular" road bike with caliper brakes. 32 is pushing it, and is about the practical limit of what will comfortably fit under a regular short reach road caliper.

now once you move up a size, to mid reach brakes, you can get a fat 35 in there pretty easily if the frame and fork are built for it.

i second the all city mr pink recommendation. the latest model with the whiskey fork is a pretty hard to argue with, off the peg fat tire road bike.

if you had to have only one - for off the shelf, that would be a great choice.

gunnar sport is another mid reach road bike that is absolutely fantastic.

i dont know much about the disk brake segment, but i think many of the newest crop of disc road bikes will fit a pretty wide tire, and obviously dont have the brake clearance to contend with.

a final thought, if this is your plan - i would do some real research about one of the modern road bikes made for disc brakes and 700c, and figure out which would also work with a 650B wheel and tire. that expands the capabilities of the bike a lot.

[John H.]

I call BS on the Emonda with 35mm tires.
In fact, we tried to put my 700x28mm Conti GP4000 II (that measure 31mm)- In his bike- They wouldn't work.

I also know someone who was trying to run WTB Exposure 700x30mm on their Emonda- They had to pull them off because they were rubbing the stays.

Trek Emonda works with a nominal 28mm tire- not really bigger than that.

[R3awak3n]

I call BS on the Emonda with 35mm tires.
In fact, we tried to put my 700x28mm Conti GP4000 II (that measure 31mm)- In his bike- They wouldn't work.

I also know someone who was trying to run WTB Exposure 700x30mm on their Emonda- They had to pull them off because they were rubbing the stays.

Trek Emonda works with a nominal 28mm tire- not really bigger than that.

something that upsets me, ok ok, not upsets but disappoints, are disc bikes that don't clear anything bigger than a 30mm... hell, even a 32.

[John H.]

Scott Addict disc takes the "fatty" Conti GP4000 II 28mm, so does the Canyon Ultimate and Aeroad.


something that upsets me, ok ok, not upsets but disappoints, are disc bikes that don't clear anything bigger than a 30mm... hell, even a 32.

[p nut]

I call BS on the Emonda with 35mm tires.
In fact, we tried to put my 700x28mm Conti GP4000 II (that measure 31mm)- In his bike- They wouldn't work.

I also know someone who was trying to run WTB Exposure 700x30mm on their Emonda- They had to pull them off because they were rubbing the stays.

Trek Emonda works with a nominal 28mm tire- not really bigger than that.

I’m guessing he accidentally switched a couple of the letters around, and actually meant Domane.

[RacerJRP]

Scott Addict disc takes the "fatty" Conti GP4000 II 28mm, so does the Canyon Ultimate and Aeroad.

Do you have one of these? Looking at snagging a 17 Addict Premium (current RC) frameset. How big do those Conti 28's run on a wide rim of 20-22mm internal? Can you get a true 32mm tire in that bike?

[RacerJRP]

All City Mr Pink

Great bike. And should have no problem with 32's. Go for the anniversary paint.

[sandyrs]

Allied Alfa Allroad.

True road geo, fits really big tires for a bike with its geo (I think 38s). If I had the money I'd buy one for my next road bike. I'm done buying bikes that don't fit at least a 32.

[Ken Robb]

Lots of Rivendell bikes, Waterford or Gunnar Road Sport, some Hampstens. The last road bike I have is the Rivendell Rambouillet I bought new when they first came out. My wife had a Romulus which is very similar. A Riv Allrounder or Atlantis has cantis and fits even fatter tires but they weigh more than some other Rivs because they are suitable for loaded touring.

[MrCannonCam]

I’m guessing he accidentally switched a couple of the letters around, and actually meant Domane.

All Trek names sound the same to me, meant the Domane

Not considering any rim brake models to clarify, only disc

Looking for more of a road bike, nothing touring oriented..

[MrCannonCam]

I call BS on the Emonda with 35mm tires.
In fact, we tried to put my 700x28mm Conti GP4000 II (that measure 31mm)- In his bike- They wouldn't work.

I also know someone who was trying to run WTB Exposure 700x30mm on their Emonda- They had to pull them off because they were rubbing the stays.

Trek Emonda works with a nominal 28mm tire- not really bigger than that.

**Domane not Emonda....they all sound the same to me...

[p nut]

Do you have one of these? Looking at snagging a 17 Addict Premium (current RC) frameset. How big do those Conti 28's run on a wide rim of 20-22mm internal? Can you get a true 32mm tire in that bike?

20mm internal width with 28c GP4’s mounted was 31mm measured. Just FYI.

[John H.]

Mine is a 2018 Addict RC disc- those tires are 31 or so mm on a 21mm rim.
I have also used 700x30mm Schwable G One Speed.
Haven’t tried any labeled 32mm, but the tires around 31mm are not maxed out or close.
Pretty sure the 2017 frame is the same frame.
Do you have one of these? Looking at snagging a 17 Addict Premium (current RC) frameset. How big do those Conti 28's run on a wide rim of 20-22mm internal? Can you get a true 32mm tire in that bike?

[herb5998]

Colnago EPS clears 30mm tires. Great frame

[RacerJRP]

20mm internal width with 28c GP4’s mounted was 31mm measured. Just FYI.

Mine is a 2018 Addict RC disc- those tires are 31 or so mm on a 21mm rim.
I have also used 700x30mm Schwable G One Speed.
Haven’t tried any labeled 32mm, but the tires around 31mm are not maxed out or close.
Pretty sure the 2017 frame is the same frame.

Perfect. Exactly the info I was looking for!

[93KgBike]

A 1968 Peugeot PX10 will run 37c's with horse path knobbies.

It's a pretty dreamy combo, IMHO.

[ultraman6970]

c50 can take 27's tubulars, but you have to put the rear wheel with almost not air 1st. The tubular needs to be really round tho if bumpy then it wont work well.

Look kg series with adjustable drop outs can take 27 tubbies aswell.

[mhespenheide]

My thread here addresses some options: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=210386

This thread is similar: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=221396

This for sale thread implies that the Genesis handles 32's: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=221432

If you can ride a 62x59, you should absolutely pick up this one (if it's still available; not sure): https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=226048

If you ride even bigger, like 63x60, I've got an older Trek that could be an inexpensive option.


Personally, despite my 2017 thread, I've made my peace with the Felt F1PR after some fitting tweaks and a pair of lighter wheels that help make the handling feel a little quicker. I'm running 32mm tires on 21mm-internal rims. But I'm still a little obsessed with the general idea... :cool:

If you want rim brakes, mid-reach is the only thing that's going to get you more than 28's (for the most part; a very select few bikes built around short-reach brakes can handle 30's or possibly 32's). Even for mid-reach brakes, 35's can be a tough ask and you might be treading into the territory of centerpulls.

[MrCannonCam]

My thread here addresses some options: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=210386

This thread is similar: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=221396

This for sale thread implies that the Genesis handles 32's: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=221432

If you can ride a 62x59, you should absolutely pick up this one (if it's still available; not sure): https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=226048

If you ride even bigger, like 63x60, I've got an older Trek that could be an inexpensive option.


Personally, despite my 2017 thread, I've made my peace with the Felt F1PR after some fitting tweaks and a pair of lighter wheels that help make the handling feel a little quicker. I'm running 32mm tires on 21mm-internal rims. But I'm still a little obsessed with the general idea... :cool:

If you want rim brakes, mid-reach is the only thing that's going to get you more than 28's (for the most part; a very select few bikes built around short-reach brakes can handle 30's or possibly 32's). Even for mid-reach brakes, 35's can be a tough ask and you might be treading into the territory of centerpulls.


63 would be a strech at 5’7” haha.

Only considering a disc bike. 0 interest in buying another rim brake bike.

[mhespenheide]

Only considering a disc bike. 0 interest in buying another rim brake bike.

Shoot, sorry; thought you wanted rim-brakes and didn't want discs. My mistake. I need to read more carefully.

[weisan]

63 would be a strech at 5’7” haha.


how much do you weigh?

no disrespect but...at your size, you may not need anything bigger than a 30mm....:p

[Davist]

my canyon ultimate disc clears 28 conti gp4k (measure 34 on 23mm internal rims) and 33 strada Bianca (probably around 36) but had occasional rub (while riding) with the knobby 33 challenge gravel grinders (side knobs basically), so I don't use them any more.

[owly]

2nd the Allied Alfa Allroad. It has those tight road angles and takes a 35mm. Expensive though.

[oldpotatoe]

Every time I read someone's post about their frustrations over a tight fit with certain tires on their bikes, I was like..."hmmm, I don't seem to have that problem" - maybe I am just lucky with most, if not all, the bikes that I bought, they all came with ample tire clearance, or I should say, with the right amount of tire clearance that I need them for. The ones that don't - they seem to be always either carbon or designed with pure road racing geometry.

Spectrum Sports Touring S&S - fit up to 35mm - Ti
Rivendell Road Standard - fit up to 32mm - Steel
Hampsten Strada Bianca - fit up to 32mm - Steel
Jamis Elite Quest - fit up to 30mm - Steel
Serotta CXII - fit up to 28mm - Steel
Richard Sachs - fit up to 27mm - Steel
Merlin Agilis - fit up to 27mm - Titanium
Colnago C40 - fit up to 25mm - Carbon
Cervelo R3 - fit up to 25mm - Carbon

Notice the trend?

Yup, you have a bike addition problem..:eek:

[Hilltopperny]

Tough to find a disc road bike that'll fit 35s. I love my No22 great divide. It has clearance for 30mm with room as a rim brake bike, but the disc version should fit a 32mm comfortably.

My drifter is very similar, but fits 700c 40mm and 48mm 650b. It has very road like feel and can be run with a variety of wheels and tires to get the ride you are looking for if 32s are just too small.

The other route is to get a Zanconato road 32 disc or road 40 disc. I'm very impressed with Mike's bicycles and My cx with 650b wheels and 38s felt like riding a roadie to me.

Off the shelf a Domane would probably fit the bill. I rented an aluminum 105 equipped one a few years back and it was a nice riding bike. It fits reasonably large tires and is super comfortable.

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[MrCannonCam]

how much do you weigh?

no disrespect but...at your size, you may not need anything bigger than a 30mm....:p

145-150. Reasoning behind the wider tire is some of the rail trails and dirt paths I occasionally ride on have some pretty reasonable chop, have ridden them on 28’s but tired of getting beat to death and want sone sort of file tread on a second wheelset not a slick

More of a case of want more than need.

[p nut]

At the prices these production frames are going for, especially that Allied, I’d be hard pressed to not go custom steel and get the specs exactly how you want it.

I’m about 155 and love riding fat tires as well. And yes, it IS a necessity!! :D

[type2sam]

Soma Fog Cutter?

https://www.somafab.com/archives/product/fog-cutter-frame-set

[biker72]

My Lynskey R345 will fit Conti GP 4000S 28's.

[Vientomas]

Felt VR? https://redkiteprayer.com/2016/08/when-fun-is-the-goal/

[Clean39T]

Check out the Felt Breed - new for 2019 - roadish geometry, but comes w 650x47 TA, aluminum frame, carbon fork, fender mounts, good build spec in either trim, and you can throw 700x32-35 wheels on it for when you're 80/20 road/gravel, down to 700x28 if you want.

I'm digging mine so far, and it's a cheap proof of concept before investing in a custom version.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[nublar]

3T Exploro, Open Up

[edward12]

Here's my Rock Lobster with Shimano BR-650 brakes and Panaracer Gravel King 32mm tires (35's might fit depending on the manufacturer). This setup works great on almost any surface. But, to be honest, I use it mostly on the road. 28mm tires would probably work just as well. One caveat, though, 32's do take some effort to spin up. Hope this helps.

[Clean39T]

Here's my Rock Lobster with Shimano BR-650 brakes and Panaracer Gravel King 32mm tires (35's might fit depending on the manufacturer). This setup works great on almost any surface. But, to be honest, I use it mostly on the road. 28mm tires would probably work just as well. One caveat, though, 32's do take some effort to spin up. Hope this helps.Great looking Lobster, what fork is that?

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[Luwabra]

Great looking Lobster, what fork is that?

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looks whiskey to me

[edward12]

Thx. It's the Whiskey No. 7 Mid-Reach.

[weisan]

145-150. Reasoning behind the wider tire is some of the rail trails and dirt paths I occasionally ride on have some pretty reasonable chop, have ridden them on 28’s but tired of getting beat to death and want sone sort of file tread on a second wheelset not a slick

More of a case of want more than need.

I hear you brother!

For 80/20 road dirt combo rides, my ideal setup is either a GravelKing SK 35 or Panaracer Pasela 35mm. At the moment, I have two road bikes that can fulfill that requirement - the Spectrum and the Taylor. Both were custom bikes designed from ground up to take fatter tires and ride like "normal" road bikes with them.

[steveoz]

I've been looking at the Black Mountain Cycles Road+ it's "designed" around the WTB 650b 47 Horizon tires - it's disc, and I imagine a 700c with a plump tire should fit no problem...and the price is pretty unbeatable

[erolorhun]

Do you have one of these? Looking at snagging a 17 Addict Premium (current RC) frameset. How big do those Conti 28's run on a wide rim of 20-22mm internal? Can you get a true 32mm tire in that bike?

I have Conti GP 4000 IIs 28s mounted on Roval CLX 64s - they are slightly over 21mm internal width. The tyres swell up to a bit over 31mm and work without issues on a previous generation Canyon Ultimate CF SL. Delicious ride.

[Zee]

I recall a handful of examples of people running Oversized 28’s in CAAD’s over varied iterations. Tempted to try that myself with a caliper example.

[weisan]

Hampsten Strada Bianca
http://www.hampsten.com/strada-bianca/

Douglas Brooks
http://www.hampsten.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/stradabianca.pdf

[Hilltopperny]

This is what I bought when looking for a similar bike. It hasn't stopped me from buying bikes, but it could easily be the only one and I'd be totally content. Fits 700c 40mm+ and 48mm 650b.

I ride it on pavement, dirt, gravel and light trails. It never disappoints and I'd buy this bike again if something were to happen to it. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181121/becf646d325c6fa37b56faacd662d098.jpg

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[BobO]

The OP's question appears to be the very design parameters for the BMC Roadmachine. It's an outstanding road bike and will take 35s.

[MikeD]

I'd go with a gravel or cyclocross bike, and forgot road bikes entirely, if you want wider tires like 35mm.

[Duende]

Mosaic GT-1

Rides like a Gran Fundo race bike, but can clear 38’s

[lostinspace]

This is what I bought when looking for a similar bike. It hasn't stoppede from buying bikes, but it could easily be the only one and I'd be totally content. Fits 700c 40mm+ and 48mm 650b.

I ride it on pavement, dirt, gravel and light trails. It never disappoints and I'd buy this bike again if something were to happen to it. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181121/becf646d325c6fa37b56faacd662d098.jpg

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This is a great looking bike. I’ve been wondering if a 650bx48 would fit, thx for confirming it does.

I just can’t decide between this or a Breadwinner B-Road.

[Hilltopperny]

This is a great looking bike. I’ve been wondering if a 650bx48 would fit, thx for confirming it does.

I just can’t decide between this or a Breadwinner B-Road.I highly recommend No22 bicycles. They really do make a top notch bike.

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[Hellgate]

333fab...

Next question?

Am I a broken record?

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[Waldo]

Snip:
i would say that if you really want clearance for 35's, you rule out a "regular" road bike with caliper brakes. 32 is pushing it, and is about the practical limit of what will comfortably fit under a regular short reach road caliper.

38s with Paul centerpulls. Same bike now sports TRP long reach sidepulls.

[AngryScientist]

that's a really cool bike Waldo, i dig it!

[MrCannonCam]

The OP's question appears to be the very design parameters for the BMC Roadmachine. It's an outstanding road bike and will take 35s.

LBS has a roadmachine with some wide I9 rims and 32’s and it is tightttt clearance wise but the tires look like they measure out pretty wide. I had looked at the aluminum now-discontinued GranFondo model and from what I’ve read big clearances there too..will do more looking into the BMC’s, the Roadmachine is gorgeous

For what I can find them for used the Domane is still at the top of the list. Aside from the price the ability to run 35’s and the geometry are pushing me in that direction. Aside from an Allied which I can’t justify splurging on right now I haven’t been too excited about any of the others recommended

I think there was a little confusion as well as I am NOT looking for a rim brake bike, and AM looking for a disc bike

[MrCannonCam]

Snip:


38s with Paul centerpulls. Same bike now sports TRP long reach sidepulls.

That thing is hot!

I’m going 100% disc though, no more rim brakes for me

[weisan]

Cannon pal, I won't lie to you. I have those types of bikes that can take tires that range from 700x43mm to 650bx47mm...and even bigger!

The whole concept sounds nice but I am gonna tell you this...the reason they have this degree of versatility boils down to the fact that the builder or maker of those types of bikes have catered for it in the design and the geometry. There's no magic recipe there. When a tailor makes a T-shirt size large and a guy who is supposed to wear that size put it on, he's going to say "Whoa, this fits me really well." Er...duh, of course it does, it's a Large. Now try this "medium" and tell me if you still feel the same!

So, in other words, if you are gonna get a bike that will fit bigger tires, beyond something like 32 or 35, it's not gonna ride like your regular road bike and I don't care what others say...it's not! Why? Because it's tailored to ride like a "large", not a "medium" dammit!

For a lot of people, especially if you are not the "princess and the pea" kinda rider, those "gravel-like" bikes are within the acceptable range of "road-bike-likeness" which is awesome....but please, just don't tell people that it rides like a road bike...because it doesn't. It wasn't designed or built to be like one.

At the end of the day, you just have to decide what you want and what you can accept and understand when you push a bit further outside the threshold, it changes everything.

You want a bike that rules them all, one that can do everything. Sure!
Anytime! You got it man! If you ask the old bird, they will say that bike exists 30-40 years ago, and they may well be right.

[Kirk007]

I'm with Weisan on this. When you build a bike that accommodates 35-44 (give or take) you are doing more than just adding space for wider tires. Your probably lengthening the wheelbase particularly the seatstays (or doing something funky like the opens or curving the down tube or making it steeper, which effects front center, and don't forget about the bottom bracket height adjustment or accounting for the overlap with the larger front wheel.

You can have a fine bike for the road that takes fat tires but don't expect it to ride like a bike designed around 23-25c tires.


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[MrCannonCam]

I'm with Weisan on this. When you build a bike that accommodates 35-44 (give or take) you are doing more than just adding space for wider tires. Your probably lengthening the wheelbase particularly the seatstays (or doing something funky like the opens or curving the down tube or making it steeper, which effects front center, and don't forget about the bottom bracket height adjustment or accounting for the overlap with the larger front wheel.

You can have a fine bike for the road that takes fat tires but don't expect it to ride like a bike designed around 23-25c tires.


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Not looking for anything that needs to take more than a 32-35. I’d like to have clearance for a 32 with file treads and on most that’d accept a 32 (Synapse, Roubaix...) seems the Domane is the best bet to avoid any rub and still get a bike that isn’t stale or tight and upright like a monster truck on the road)

Not looking for any miracle bike, just something with a road feel/geometry that I can throw a second wheelset with a 32-35 file tread on that can clear the stays (which until recently was only cross bikes until companies started developing wider clearances on their endurance bikes)

[fa63]

I recently installed Compass Bon Jon Pass tires on my all-road bike. They measure ~38mm on HED Belgium+ rims. I had high hopes for these, but to be honest I found that they made the bike feel sluggish on road rides. They roll OK on the flats, but I felt like I was working harder than normal when the road points up. I am going to give them a couple more rides (maybe I just need to get used to the feeling), but I like the bike a lot more with Conti GP4KSII 28c tires (which measure 31mm on the same rims).

Maybe you can go too wide for mostly road riding...

[guru]

Focus Paralane will fit 35mm tires and in some cases 37mm depending upon the mfg. The ride is more so endurance rather than gravel

[MrCannonCam]

Focus Paralane will fit 35mm tires and in some cases 37mm depending upon the mfg. The ride is more so endurance rather than gravel

Paralane has been on and off my list. Seems on par with what I am looking for but the geometry is whack and not many dealers around to try one out. Some around for deals though