Surly LHT and fatties fit fine

[tonythomson]

This I should know but don't.  I have 700x32 tyres on at present what are the widest tyres I can fit on on this size rim

[RussSeaton]

Not a direct answer since I do not own a Surly LHT.  But I'm guessing my touring bike is comparable for tire size.  38mm is the widest you can fit.  I am currently using 35mm tires and there is plenty of room at the chainstays and the fork.  I could probably fit 45mm tires between the chainstays and fork.  But there is another problem to consider with wide tires on a road bike.  I have 38mm tires on my cyclocross bike.  It uses cantilever brakes like my touring bike.  The brakes do not open wide enough to allow the 38mm tires through cleanly.  You can still push them through the brake blocks, but they rub.  Anything wider would not fit through at all, even with a lot of pushing.  35mm tires barely clear with no or minimal rubbing.  Anything wider and you get some rubbing with cantilever brakes, with the quick release open.  35mm or 38mm is the widest tire you can use with cantilever brakes on a road bike.  Rim width is irrelevant.

[Ride4fun]

Well if you take the cable off you should be able to get a much wider tire on.  I can fit 42's on my SOMA Double Cross and I think the the LHT will take 45 mm.   Rim width does make a difference in regards to tire profile especially at low pressures.

[tonythomson]

Thanks guys

[RussSeaton]

Well if you take the cable off you should be able to get a much wider tire on.

No.  The quick release on the cantilever brakes is open.  The brake pads hit the seatstays.  There is no taking the cable off.  Cable travel or slack in the cable is not a factor.  The brake is as wide as it can be because the brake blocks are hitting the seatstays.  The only way to get the brakes wider is to take them out of the cantilever posts and release the cable from the brake.  I doubt many people would want to do that every time they remove the rear wheel.

[tonythomson]

Planning to ride the C&O and GAP in June followed by a tour of Pa therefore I don't want to change my wheels but would like a wider tyre if I can fitted on the existing wheels.  Then swap back to my road tyres once I leave the GAP.  Doesn't need to be super wide just a bit more to ride the trails.
Thanks

[BrianW]

Well if you take the cable off you should be able to get a much wider tire on.

No.  The quick release on the cantilever brakes is open.  The brake pads hit the seatstays.  There is no taking the cable off.  Cable travel or slack in the cable is not a factor.  The brake is as wide as it can be because the brake blocks are hitting the seatstays.  The only way to get the brakes wider is to take them out of the cantilever posts and release the cable from the brake.  I doubt many people would want to do that every time they remove the rear wheel.

When we run wider tires on our tandem we have to deflate them a bit to get them through the brake pads. A bit of a pain, but not too big of a deal, and a lot easier than removing brake pads!

The only really annoying thing is when you get a flat, remove the wheel easily, fix it and pump it back up, and then remember that the tire won't fit through inflated. So then you deflate, install, and repump. Sigh.

[RussSeaton]

Deflating the tire would work better than removing the brakes.  Forgot about that one.  But I think I have done it before, long ago.

[LlamaBikes]

This is what Surly says: "700c: 42mm with fenders, 45mm without fender"

I'm sure they are being on the safe side though, you could probably squeeze a 50mm slick on there but it would be real tight.

EDIT: Also check out the LHT Google Group. There's lots of info on tire clearance there: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!searchin/surlylht/700c$20clearance

[indyfabz]

Planning to ride the C&O and GAP in June followed by a tour of Pa therefore I don't want to change my wheels but would like a wider tyre if I can fitted on the existing wheels.  Then swap back to my road tyres once I leave the GAP.  Doesn't need to be super wide just a bit more to ride the trails.
Thanks

I have run 37c tires on my LHT with much room to spare.

BTW...A few years ago I did the GAP west to east as part of a tour across PA. 32c with inverted tread was plenty. The C&O might require more though.

If you find yourself near Breezewood, PA, I recommend riding the section of abandoned PA turnpike. Let me know if you would like the details.

[tonythomson]

Hi Indyfabz, thanks for reply and yes please always looking to check out alternative routes. 

[indyfabz]

Look up Breezewood, PA on Google Maps. You will see U.S. 30. Just after is passes under I-70 you will see Tannery Rd. Right at the start of Tannery is where the rideable portion starts. You can see it on Google. It's an unofficial bike trail. There is a small parking area and a low earthen berm with a well-worn track in it. Walk your bike up there, go through the Jersey barriers and you will be on the old highway.

The rideable portion is about 8 miles. I started out going east in the westbound lanes because they were in better shape but at some point switched to the eastbound lanes. There are two unlit tunnels. One is about 3,500 ft. The second one you hit heading east is  over a mile and has a crown near the eastern end, so you literally cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel until you are near the end. A good light is a must. You can still see the old median stripe. I used a 122 lumen headlamp and followed the stripe. You may also need to put on a jacket. When I rode it, the temp was in the mid 80s and humid outside. Inside the tunnels it was probably in the low 50s. Not long after you exit the easterly tunnel you will see some more Jersey barriers on the left. Go through those and down an access road tat takes you to Pump Station Rd. Don't worry if you miss this exit. You cannot go much further because the bridge over Pump Station Rd. has been removed so the trail dead ends. If you make a left on Pump Station and do the short climb, that takes you to N. Hess Rd. Make a right and you are back on PA Bike Route S. One nice thing about taking this route is that it eliminates a stiff climb heading east from Breezewood.

I only saw two people walking on that weekday afternoon. You get a nice feeling of isolation. And the surroundings are a bit post-apocalyptic, especially at the tunnel portals:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davez2007/9779235343/in/set-72157635548910265/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davez2007/9779235333/in/set-72157635548910265

Suppose that's why they used an area outside one of the tunnels as a shooting location for the film "The Road" starring Viggo Mortensen.

[tonythomson]

Hi and thanks for the trail info, unfortunately slightly too north for my planned route as eventually need to head back to Washington DC and fly home.  But it was very interesting and will take another look at my route from Pittsburgh.
Tony

[albanybenn]

Planning to ride the C&O and GAP in June followed by a tour of Pa therefore I don't want to change my wheels but would like a wider tyre if I can fitted on the existing wheels.  Then swap back to my road tyres once I leave the GAP.  Doesn't need to be super wide just a bit more to ride the trails.
Thanks

[albanybenn]

Planning to ride the C&O and GAP in June followed by a tour of Pa therefore I don't want to change my wheels but would like a wider tyre if I can fitted on the existing wheels.  Then swap back to my road tyres once I leave the GAP.  Doesn't need to be super wide just a bit more to ride the trails.
Thanks

Did the GAP/CO last summer using Pan Racer 700X35s run at 75 PSI on a Surly Cross Check.  Bump to 80-85 PSI when back on pavement and you should be fine.  The CO section of the trail is rougher and may have some pretty muddy spots