Mavic MA2 Rim Info -- Maximum Tire Width?

I have an old Mavic MA2 622mm rim that I want to use for winter and
spring.

What's the maximum width of a tire that I can put on it?

Ideally, I'd like to be able to put a 32mm wide tire on it, since that
gives me an option for a studded tire on my road bike (Nokian A10).

On Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:05:21 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

I have an old Mavic MA2 622mm rim that I want to use for winter and
spring.

What's the maximum width of a tire that I can put on it?

Ideally, I'd like to be able to put a 32mm wide tire on it, since that
gives me an option for a studded tire on my road bike (Nokian A10).

Dear D,

Measure your interior rim width and glance at this chart:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire_sizing.html#width

It's probably a bit conservative.

The problem with a too-wide tire on too-narrow rim is that the tire's
leverage on the rim sidewalls is so great that it bends the sidewalls
or cracks the rim in the center.

Presumably you'd use a lower pressure for the wider tire.

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

wrote:

I have an old Mavic MA2 622mm rim that I want to use for winter and
spring.

What's the maximum width of a tire that I can put on it?

Ideally, I'd like to be able to put a 32mm wide tire on it, since that
gives me an option for a studded tire on my road bike (Nokian A10).

The Mavic MA2 became the first lightweight MTB rim when Keith
Bontrager cut down the 36 hole 700c kind to produce his own 32 hole
26" version. It is certainly not the narrowest rim ever made for
mountain bikes either-- I used Matrix Iso-C ATB rims that were
narrower. Such rims were routinely used with tires in the 50mm width
range, so I wouldn't worry at all about using wide touring or
cyclocross-type tires on your MA2s.

Chalo

On Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:05:21 -0700, dasunt wrote:

I have an old Mavic MA2 622mm rim that I want to use for winter and
spring.

What's the maximum width of a tire that I can put on it?

Ideally, I'd like to be able to put a 32mm wide tire on it, since that
gives me an option for a studded tire on my road bike (Nokian A10).


the real question is why the ma2? they're not as stiff as modern rims
with a larger box section - a concern with highly dished modern rears -
and they flat-spot more easily. the other factor is that the inner eyelet
socket is plated steel, not stainless, and it rusts.

On Oct 29, 7:55*am, jim beam wrote:
On Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:05:21 -0700, dasunt wrote:
I have an old Mavic MA2 622mm rim that I want to use for winter and
spring.

What's the maximum width of a tire that I can put on it?

Ideally, I'd like to be able to put a 32mm wide tire on it, since that
gives me an option for a studded tire on my road bike (Nokian A10).

the real question is why the ma2? *they're not as stiff as modern rims
with a larger box section - a concern with highly dished modern rears -
and they flat-spot more easily. *the other factor is that the inner eyelet
socket is plated steel, not stainless, and it rusts.

It's the rim I have at the moment, and I was planning to acquire a
better wheel after the snows and dirt of this winter.

On Oct 29, 12:54 am, Chalo wrote:
wrote:

I have an old Mavic MA2 622mm rim that I want to use for winter and
spring.

What's the maximum width of a tire that I can put on it?

Ideally, I'd like to be able to put a 32mm wide tire on it, since that
gives me an option for a studded tire on my road bike (Nokian A10).


snipped
I wouldn't worry at all about using wide touring or
cyclocross-type tires on your MA2s.


Agreed, I have used both Michelin Hi-Lite Tours and Panaracer Paselas
with actual measured widths of 33-34mm on MA-2s for many years/many
miles with nary a problem.

On Oct 29, 6:55 am, jim beam wrote:
On Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:05:21 -0700, dasunt wrote:
I have an old Mavic MA2 622mm rim that I want to use for winter and
spring.

What's the maximum width of a tire that I can put on it?

Ideally, I'd like to be able to put a 32mm wide tire on it, since that
gives me an option for a studded tire on my road bike (Nokian A10).

the real question is why the ma2?

Why the MA2??? 'Cuz Jobst "the Great and Mighty" Brandt says they are
the best rims ever made! And he's *never* wrong - just ask him! ;-)


they're not as stiff as modern rims
with a larger box section - a concern with highly dished modern rears -
and they flat-spot more easily. the other factor is that the inner eyelet
socket is plated steel, not stainless, and it rusts.

Heresy!!!

In article
,
wrote:

On Oct 29, 7:55*am, jim beam wrote:
On Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:05:21 -0700, dasunt wrote:
I have an old Mavic MA2 622mm rim that I want to use for winter
and spring.

What's the maximum width of a tire that I can put on it?

Ideally, I'd like to be able to put a 32mm wide tire on it, since
that gives me an option for a studded tire on my road bike
(Nokian A10).

the real question is why the ma2? *they're not as stiff as modern
rims with a larger box section - a concern with highly dished
modern rears - and they flat-spot more easily. *the other factor is
that the inner eyelet socket is plated steel, not stainless, and it
rusts.

It's the rim I have at the moment, and I was planning to acquire a
better wheel after the snows and dirt of this winter.

Don't listen to jimbo, as usual he's writing misleading stuff (you've
stumbled into his personal agenda with another poster here by mentioning
the MA2).

The MA2 is a great rim, one of the best ever made, and it will work fine
for your intended purpose. Your 32 mmm tire will be fine on this rim,
assuming the frame has clearance.

Cheers!

On Oct 29, 8:33 am, Tim McNamara wrote:
In article
,

snipped

The MA2 is a great rim

In what ways is the MA2 "a great rim"? They are surely "adequate",
even "above average for their time" (n.b., "for their time") - but
"great"???


one of the best ever made,

The MA2 is a legend in your mind, Timmy.

On Oct 29, 10:02*am, Ozark Bicycle
wrote:
In what ways is the MA2 "a great rim"? They are surely "adequate",
even "above average for their time" (n.b., "for their time") *- but
"great"???

Current rim is of unknown age, single walled, 27", and has a freewheel
hub with a slight bit of rust on it.

The only advantage it has is 36 spokes vs 32 spokes on the Mavic and
the braking surface of the rim is in slightly better condition.

I'd rather buy a new wheel in the spring or summer and let the winter
ruin the old rim.