Help: Hors Cat tire clearance?

[novaturient]

Might be buying a Hors Category, and am wondering if anyone can tell me about the tire clearance on the rear and with the stock fork?

I suppose I could always run a cross fork or something on the front at the risk of slackening the geometry due to a raised headtube, but if the rear will take a true 28c width tire that would be awesome. Anyone actually try this?

And, since I have you, can anyone describe the effect of the rear suspension? I hear it pins that wheel to the ground on decents, but does it also have the effect of mild rear suspension (like a larger tire does)?

Thanks in advance for you help!

[Sam in VA]

If it has an F1 fork, clearances up front will be pretty tight... 23s, or maybe 25s max

[godfrey1112000]

I run Conti's Attack/Force
22 front
23/24 rear on both of my HC's

Forks
Easton EC 90 sl

Shimano Pro


looks like 25's for sure no problem


with room for more

[Ahneida Ride]

If it has an F1 fork, clearances up front will be pretty tight... 23s, or maybe 25s max


If it has an F1 .... 23 at best ... most 23 will work ...

I would not run 25's

[novaturient]

Thanks for all the good info. Sounds like a 28c would be a no go on the rear? A 25 on the front I could live with.

As for the ride, does the frame design make a 25 feel like a fatter tire by soaking up some bumps?

[Mike748]

AFAIK there were two DKS chainstay options... regular S-shape and heavy duty straight. My DKS Ottrott has the straight stays. It will take even a chubby 25 like a Michelin axial pro, but I think a 28 would be too tight. Mine doesn't soak up any bumps.

Measured it tonight... 30mm between the stays at the tire.

[novaturient]

Thanks very much for taking that measurement Mike. 30mm sounds pretty wide, but I'll have to compare on one of my road frames to get a sense for what that would fit. Oftern the width isn't as much an issue as the chainstay bridge though.

Thanks again!

[dave thompson]

I've owned several 'Cats. On my last one I ran HED Bastogne wheels with the wide C2 rims mounted with Open Corsa EVO 25 tires, which on the wide rims measured an actual 28MM across. There was plenty of clearance in the rear but with the F1 fork it was tight. The tire would clear but if it picked up any debris, it would rub on the underneath of the fork crown. 25MM tires would fit satisfactorily on the front with good clearance.

You can see a pic of the bike with the wheels and tires mentioned here: http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=72540