Road Cycling Wheel Sizing Question

[ID_Field_Blank]

Guys and Gals,

Hoping someone can help me out. I need some clarification on wheel sizes for road bikes (cycling). I am looking to upgrade my wheels as they are stock and I've had issues with the spokes coming loose a few times.

The bike currently has 700 x 250 tyres on it. Does this mean the wheel itself is 700c? If it makes any difference the bike is about 2 years old and on the label stuck on the rim it says 622 x 13c but I have no idea what that means.

Any clarification would be great!

 

[robbieduncan]

700x250 is not a realistic tyre size. The 250 is an order of magnitude bigger than I would expect. For example the tyres on my road bike are 700x23c. Have said that 622mm diameter rims are 700c rims.

 

[OllyW]

I think you may have misread the label on the tyre, 700x250 is probably 700x25C.

 

[robbieduncan]

I think you may have misread the label on the tyre, 700x250 is probably 700x25C.

Or some sort of monster-truck style bike tyre. If it's that please take a picture

 

[OllyW]

Or some sort of monster-truck style bike tyre. If it's that please take a picture

My mate has got one of those...

 

[ID_Field_Blank]

It most likely is 700 x 25C and just covered up under a bit of dirt. I'll check later but I suspect you're right!

So I can take it that they are 700c's?

 

[OllyW]

So I can take it that they are 700c's?

Yes, it's the standard size for road bikes.

The other thing to watch out for are whether the rims are clincher or tubs. If you've got inner tubes in your tyres then they are clincher.

 

[eternlgladiator]

Yes, it's the standard size for road bikes.

The other thing to watch out for are whether the rims are clincher or tubs. If you've got inner tubes in your tyres then they are clincher.

While likely that's not a guarantee. Best to know for sure.

 

[robbieduncan]

The other thing to watch out for are whether the rims are clincher or tubs. If you've got inner tubes in your tyres then they are clincher.

If he's looking to upgrade the wheels then most likely going to get new tyres too. If so the shop will probably help ensure they are matched

 

[OllyW]

If he's looking to upgrade the wheels then most likely going to get new tyres too. If so the shop will probably help ensure they are matched

Or they could buy a bargain set off eBay and find out they now need to glue their tyres on.

 

[robbieduncan]

Or they could buy a bargain set off eBay and find out they now need to glue their tyres on.

Which would be a right pain in the rear end. Speaking of which I am now watching numerous different sets of wheels on eBay as I fancy some nice Mavics for my road bike

 

[OllyW]

Which would be a right pain in the rear end. Speaking of which I am now watching numerous different sets of wheels on eBay as I fancy some nice Mavics for my road bike

Avoid any that mention tubs or tubular.

 

[robbieduncan]

Avoid any that mention tubs or tubular.

Or that have Campagnolo freewheels as these won't work with my Shimano cassette/drive train (OP: another think to look out for/consider)

 

[ID_Field_Blank]

Thanks for the info guys, I knew there were many options but I hadn't considered quite how many...

I also want to get a second rear wheel to use on the turbo trainer so I don't wear the tyre out. I think a trip to the bike shop is probably the best bet for some further advice as I know I'll mess it up if I just order something online as was the original plan!

Thanks for your input and saving me from potentially expensive mistakes!

 

[Menel]

Thanks for the info guys, I knew there were many options but I hadn't considered quite how many...

I also want to get a second rear wheel to use on the turbo trainer so I don't wear the tyre out. I think a trip to the bike shop is probably the best bet for some further advice as I know I'll mess it up if I just order something online as was the original plan!

Thanks for your input and saving me from potentially expensive mistakes!

You should tell us what bike make/model/year you have.

Unless you are putting thousands of miles on the trainer, you won't significantly hurt a tire. It's a tire manufacturer rip off. There are very very few it's worth the wheel+tire+cassette cost. It will get a shiny buffed patch on it, but it'll go back to normal within a few minutes on the road.