Bicycle tyre sizing and dimension standards

What do size marks on bicycle tyre package mean, how to “read” them, which bicycle tyre size can fit a given rim? This post answers all those questions, providing an easy, uniform, standardized way to tell a tyre (tube and rim) size using ISO (ETRTO) standards. For detailed tube sizing gude, see: Bicycle tubes – types, valves and sizing explained. Effect of tyre size on speed and comfort is explained here: Are narrower tyres “faster” – rolling resistance.

Table Of Contents (T.O.C.):

TL/DR

1. Expressing (noting) bicycle tyre dimensions
   Table 1: standard bicycle tyre sizes
2. Tyre widths
   Table 2: which tyre width fits which rim width
   Table 3: which fat-bike tyre width fits which rim
   Table 3b: Schwalbe’s complete size chart
   2.1. Why is it important to use an optimal tyre with for your rim width?
3. Frame fit room (maximum width)
   Table 4: real tyre height relative to its pressure and nominal size
   Table 5: real tyre width relative to its pressure and nominal size
4. Tyre size and fitting video
5. Sources

TL/DR

Here, I’ve explained how you can read and understand bicycle tyre size marks (why and how 700 C is the same diameter as 28″ x 1.75 or 29″ – all being the same 622 mm diameter tyres).

I’ve also explained which tyre widths you can fit on your rim and bicycle frame (and how to measure your rim width and frame tight spots).

In the bicycle tubes article I’ve explained which tube dimensions can fit which tyre sizes (and valve types).

– T.O.C. –

1. Expressing (noting) bicycle tyre dimensions

At first, tyre dimensions were expressed through mounted (and inflated) tyre outer diameter. That is why today we still often note tyre sizes like 26″ (now less often), 27.5″ or 29″ for MTB, and 28″ for road bicycles. A 26″ tyre fits on a rim with a 559 mm diameter. When a 2″ wide tyre is mounted on such rim, the outer diameter of such wheel with an inflated tyre is around 660 mm (26″). To further complicate things, different standards were made in different countries. This led to situations that same sized tyres were differently noted, or that the same dimension note was used for tyres that differ in size. Does this sound complicated and confusing already? 🙂 Here’s a picture that takes 26″ “size” as an example:

That is why ISO standard notation was introduced and is in use today. Standard was introduced by ETRTO (The European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation). Diameter of wheel tyre bead seat in millimetres preceded by tyre width in millimetres. Tyre width is also a bit non-exact measurement. It is width of an inflated tyre mounted on a rim of standard width for that tyre size. However, the most important information: wheel bead diameter is noted exactly in millimetres, so there can be no confusion. 559 wheel and tyre are always compatible (at least in terms of diameter, see about tyre and rim width compatibility below).

When bead seat diameter (BSD) is known, a tyre of appropriate dimensions in mm is required. It is as simple as that.

For example, the 26″ wheel diameter is 559 mm and it can take practically any tyre of that BSD, whether wider, or narrower, such as 47-559 (26×1.75″ by old nomination), 60-559 (2.35×26″ by old nomination) and so on. All the manufacturers today mark tyres with ISO dimension standards, sometimes adding old nominations as well, but ISO is always noted and can be used as a safe(st) reference.

Standard road bicycle wheel size today is 622 mm and it usually takes tyres of 23-622, or wider 25-622. Today when off road bicycles with wheels larger than standard MTB wheels started to be popular, it’s wheels are marketed as 29″, but in fact are 622 wheels with wider tyres (so that outer diameter is close to 29″). Tyres for those bicycles are always marked with ISO standard (sometimes along with the “old” standard 29″) saying something like: 57-622, 60-622 and similar, depending on tyre width.

In case a tyre has no ISO (ETRTO) marks, here is a cross-reference:

– T.O.C. –

2. Tyre widths

After explaining tyre dimensions, a few words on tyre widths. Generally, narrower tyres are good for fast road riding on pavement, while wider tyres are better suited to rough terrain, or heavily loaded bicycles (heavy rider, carrying children or heavy baggage on a bicycle etc.). Depending on rim width, a range of tyre widths can be used. The important measure here is inner rim width. Outer rim width is irrelevant (for this purpose), just the inner rim diameter.

The following table tells the range of acceptable tyre widths depending on inner rim width, expressed in mm, according to ISO (ETRTO) standard:

Fat-bicycle tyre sizing chart:

Below is a chart which includes many modern (more recent) tyre and rim widths. It was made by the Schwalbe company and in my experience it is a safe guide (I’ve even exceeded the there-recommended ranges without problems). Both the dark-blue Schwalbe range, and the light-blue ETRTO range are fine – as long as you stay within either of those, you’ll be fine:

– T.O.C. –

2.1. Why is it important to use an optimal tyre with for your rim width?

If a tyre that is too narrow is mounted on a wide rim, the rim can easily be damaged on a bump. If too wide a tyre is mounted, there is a risk of the tyre coming off a rim (with a loud explosion of the tube). Either of the two extremes can reduce traction and comfort (shock absorption), and distort the optimal tread/knob design. In addition to that, using a tyre that is too wide for the rim width can expose the tyre’s sidewalls to cuts (I’ve had this “pleasure” with a rather expensive 28mm tyre mounted on a 13 mm wide rim).

– T.O.C. –

3. Frame fit room (maximum width)

If there’s limited space for fitting tyres in a frame, note that rim width also influences tyre width and height when mounted:

It should be also noted that one nominal tyre size (e.g. 622-28), in various models and manufacturers, is not of the same actual width when mounted and inflated. Some models are known to be of a smaller “real” size, some are known to be larger. If, for example, the old tyre has a nominal width of 23 mm, and one considers replacing it with a wider one of 25 mm (nominal) width, and there is only about two mm extra room, it should be confirmed what the actual tyre widths when mounted are. If the old 23 mm tyre is among the “narrower 23s”, and the considered 25 mm one is among the “wider 25s”, it is very likely that the wheel will not fit into the frame with the new tyre.

Pictures below are taken on a frame with lots of extra room for wider tyres (and mudguards). They are just a demonstration of where the “tight” spots usually are, and where attention should be paid (and measuring taken) before going for wider tyres. Depending on frame geometry and brake type, some other spots may be the tight ones. It should always be checked and measured at the tightest spot, with the least tyre clearance – and that is usually in (one of) these places:

Table overview of how tyre inflation pressure affects its real height, depending on its nominal size (dimension) – inner rim width used or measuring was 19 mm:

Table overview of how tyre inflation pressure affects its real width, depending on its nominal size (dimension) – inner rim width used or measuring was 19 mm:

– T.O.C. –

4. Tyre size and fitting video

– T.O.C. –

5. Sources

• Tire Sizing Systems – by Sheldon Brown and John Allen
• WIDERIGHT – Stans no tubes website
• Schwalbe tire and dimension charts
• Mavic rim compatibility table

Related post – To what pressure should I inflate my bicycle tyres:

The existing comments posted under this article (questions and answers) have been moved to this BikeGremlin forum thread:
https://www.bikegremlin.net/threads/bicycle-tyre-sizing-and-dimension-standards-article-comments.103/

– T.O.C. –

Author

Relja Novović

Relja is an avid cyclist, a pretty good bike mechanic, and a professional computer systems administrator – with decades of experience in both those fields (computers and bikes 🙂 ). Relja Novović’s credentials and a short biography