0

Hi I am just about to take delivery on a new bike (Carrera Hellcat) with 29 inch wheels however I want to upgrade to 29 plus wheels and I have found some tires that will work but will my normal inner tube and wheel work with the 29 plus tires? Thanks in advance.

4
  • 1
    29+ means somewhere in between a traditional mountain bike tire and a fat tire, which is a range of widths. You'll need to tell us the actual width of the tires you are looking at and the width of your rims and/or the original tire width (telling is the make and model of bike would be good too). Mar 1, 2018 at 15:15
  • amzn.eu/j6Tidpf thats the tire and the bike is the carrera hellcat 18 Mar 1, 2018 at 18:20
  • I am sure we have had a million "Can I put wider tires on my XYZ bike", and the answer is always the same no matter what XYZ is.
    – mattnz
    Mar 1, 2018 at 20:12
  • 2
    I suggest returning the brand new bike unused and unopened, and then buy the bike you really want.
    – Criggie
    Mar 2, 2018 at 3:17

3 Answers 3

2

Factors that decide whether or not a certain tire width fill be compatible with your bicycle are many. This applies to any transition that keeps the tire diameter (29 → 29+, 27.5 → 27.5+, 26 → 26+). The most important, in my opinion, are the following.

  1. Your frame and fork clearances should allow wider tires. Both in increased width and height. Typically, bicycle vendors designate if a bike is "plus" compatible. If not, the risk is high that no tires designated as 29+ will fit in a 29 frame. In such case, you'd better consider switching to 27.5+ wheels if you are firm to go plus.
  2. Your rim width. There are limits to how wide/narrow a rim can be to accept a given tire width. Here's ERTRO guidelines, copied from here:

width-rim-tyre

Having a too wide or too narrow rim would result in a suboptimal performance or even straight unstable wheel. Another picture from 1:

stan's recommendations

  1. Actual tire dimensions when installed on a given rim may differ from what's designated on it. There are a lot of reports online that a 2.6" tire actually measures closer to 2.7" or even 2.8". The same applies to non-plus tires: a 2.1" can sometimes be 2.25" when installed on a wider rim. Knobs can add to width and create problems with clearance. I recommend either playing it safe and taking a narrower "plus" or finding an online review with actual measurements of chosen tire applicable to your situation.

Other factors are less deciding. Inner tubes should be fine. There might be some extra muscle effort needed if you install tubeless-ready tires on a regular rim (or was it the other way around? cannot remember).

If your fork does not accept wider tires, you can change the fork. If it is the frame that has too narrow rear wheel clearance, changing it equals practically to obtaining a new bike. Getting new wider wheels is easier, because you'll then have two pairs of nice wheels. Some people use 27.5+ wheels on 29-ers, but if bike geometry is not an empty sound for you, you might consider doing some calculations before going that way.

1
  • 1
    I can't agree with the advice to buy new wheels for a brand new bike. If you need to make changes like that, you bought the wrong bike. You should return it unused for a full refund and buy the bike you actually want. Mar 2, 2018 at 11:28
2

According to the Halfords page the Carrera comes with 2.2" front and 2.0" rear. Going up to a 3.0" tire is probably a stretch.

The limiting factor is most likely the clearance between the chainstays. If you can, go into a branch of Halfords and have a look at an example of the bike and see how much clearance the tire has there. Also check the fork and seat stay clearance while you are there.

The rims may also be below the optimum width to support that wide a tire.

If the Carrera won't take 3" tires, as you are buying new , don't event think about changing anything to support wider tires (such as switching to 27.5 wheels), just find and buy a bike that comes with the tire size you want.

1

Most "plus bike" frames have a lot more tire clearance around the rear wheel, especially near the front chainrings and front derailleur. You will see many of them running a single chainring up front for this reason.

In your case, the tires in the original post hyperlink will not fit the hellcat 18 mountain bike. Reason: There isn't enough room inside the frame [as it wasn't designed to fit plus-sized tires].

2
  • Clarification - the tires in the original post hyperlink will not fit the hellcat 18 mountain bike. Reason: There isn't enough room inside the frame. Mar 6, 2018 at 18:53
  • I edited to incorporate your comment into the answer.
    – RoboKaren
    Mar 6, 2018 at 18:56

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.