When I bought a Trek FX 7.3 instead of the 7.2, the bike dealer told me that the tires were the same. They looked narrower, but I thought it was just that I was used to my other bike. I found out later that the FX 7.3 indeed has narrower 32 mm tires. Can I put 35 mm tires on my FX 7.3?
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How wide are the current tires? How wide is the rim?– Daniel R HicksAug 28, 2012 at 22:19
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2OK, the Trek site shows the tires as 32. Switching from a 32 to a 35 should be safe 98% of the time (though the point of such a minor switch is questionable, unless the current tires are worn out).– Daniel R HicksAug 28, 2012 at 22:21
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3 Answers
32mm to 35mm is a small change. It's not going to make a huge difference in ride quality and because it's a small change, any bike that comes with 32mm tires is very likely to handle 35mm tires with no difficulties.
The 7.2FX and 7.3FX are the same frame, but a different fork. It's hard to be sure from the online description, but probably also the same brakes. The wheels are different, but it's a small enough tire size change that it's not a problem. All the geometric specs are identical for all sizes between the two models.
If the 7.2 works with a 35mm tire, the 7.3 will almost definitely work with the same 35mm tire on the rear, and very likely work with the same 35mm tire on the front.
A 35mm wide tire should be 1.5mm wider on each side than a 32mm tire, and will have a similar increased outer radius. 1.5mm is the thickness of a US penny (or a smidge more than the thickness of a dime), so you can use a couple dimes to measure.
Is there at least 2mm of room on each side (and top) of the tire where it passes through the top of the fork? Same amount of room or more where it passes through the brakes? That's the most likely problem areas here.
Double-check the back if you're still worried: is there 2mm clearance around all sides of the tire where it goes through the brake, where it goes between the seatstays, where it goes through the chain stays and where it gets closest to the seat tube?
If all those check out, then you're in the clear. If it's a close call, you'll just have to try it, or go into the shop and ask them to help you see if it'll work.
The difference between 32 mm and 35 mm tires will only really be seen if you're using exactly the same tire in a slightly larger format. You may notice over time that if you switch manufacturers their profiles may change slightly and this may affect the effective clearance you have at your stays.
Having checked over the 7.2 frame it appears that there will be plenty of additionally available clearance to allow for a wider tire.
Best thing to do is buy from a retailer who will be happy for you to return the new tires if there is an issue.
yes, it works. I've tried it before
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Welcome to Bicycles! This is really a comment, not an answer, and while this type of answer is welcomed and expected on a forum, it's not in line with our goals as a Q/A site. Much better would be an answer that includes details on why it worked, and why it might not. Please see the Tour for an overview of how this and other Stack Exchange sites work.– Gary.Ray ♦Feb 23, 2015 at 14:25
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Welcome to Bicycles SE. We're looking for answers with more detail. A short, one-line answer like this is likely to be downvoted and possibly deleted. Examples of how you could expand this answer would be to talk about how much clearance you had before and afterward, as well as whether your tires were slicks or had some tread, what brands you used, etc. The reason is that tire sizes are not consistent between models and manufacturers.– jimchristie ♦Feb 23, 2015 at 19:26