In a month I'll be riding this route ( https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35968577?privacy_code=n3Tr96LJKE5xXv49&fbclid=IwAR2Y_QhBUc1v7CnXLGGDmiVevauUlp2CwxTzUCXk6J8jvAV0AsOjJYT6TQY) on a road bike that I'm adapting to do the gravel a bit better. Got some panniers and a handlebar bag, now I need some thicker tyres. The maximum width they can be is 28mm as this is the spacing between the rim brake pads when opened up.
I know tyre size varies between manufacturer so one might say 30mm but actually fit but I don't want to buy some and find out they're too wide, does anyone have any suggestions? The route isn't too technically challenging, but they need to be ok on both gravel and road.
Thanks
The maximum width they can be is 28mm as this is the spacing between the rim brake pads when opened up.
In classic STW style not answering the actual question but could you live with just letting a bit of air out of the tyres if needs be?
I managed for the best part of a year with tyres that were just a bit too wide for the brakes, it was never a problem. Out on the trail the only reason I would be removing a wheel would be due to a puncture anyway, and at home I would have a track pump handy to re-inflate.
Also, Swissstop offer their (excellent) BXP pads in an 'evo' variant which is a bit thinner. Are you paying for what is basically a pre-worn brake pad? Yes you are, but they wear so slowly anyway it's not much of an issue, and it buys you an extra 1.5mm clearance.
I even swapped out the washers behind the pads so they would offer more clearance when open.
Oh actually, as a sort of answer, I was sold on the Pirelli Cinturato road tyres for occasional gravel on my road bike. They're slick, but the tread thickness is a good bit thicker than most, so should be more resiliant to cuts.
Am tempted to try some Pirelli Cinturato too, if I can be bothered with tubeless again.
Panaracer Gravel King Semi Slick are available in 28mm.
Forgive me though as I haven't used rim brakes since the 90s, but can't you just deflate the tyre to get it between the brack pads?
Vittoria Revolution are available in 28mm wire bead
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;"> https://www.vittoria.com/ww/en/tyres/city-hybrid/revolution-tech</span>
In fact they have a couple of tyre options.
Or how about Schwable Marathons in some form or other
28c tyres normally go in just fine if you slam the wheel in hard.
Specialized Roubaix Pro. They have a special sizing which means with a 25/28 for example you get the depth of a 28mm tyre with the width of a 25mm.
As others have said, I could deflate the tyres to get them between the pads however the frame clearance isn't large so I couldn't push it much more than than. Could perhaps try a 32mm at maximum as 30mm doesn't seem a common size.
30mm is what 'old' 28mm Continentals came up as, now apparently a 28mm conti on a 19mm rim comes up more like 27/28mm, so you might have some luck with a 32mm Conti.
The following site is really good for real world widths (all measured on an 18mm internal rim, not sure if 19mm really makes any difference, fractions of a mm I would guess).
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/road-bike-reviews/pirelli-p-zero-velo-race-tlr
How about Challenge Strada Bianchi in 30mm? Available for about £40.
https://www.challengetires.com/shop/products/strada-bianca-3/55139
Maxxis Refuse in 30mm work fine for me