rear wheel 16 vs 18

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Jun 3, 2012 | 12:03 AM

#11

2004Sierra

Road Master

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 1,005

Likes: 4

From: Alabama

I went the 16/18 route.

My reasoning was I did not want to raise the rear of the bike any higher, and with my wife's bad back I wanted the better ride.

Jun 3, 2012 | 07:16 PM

#12

Mickey D

Road Master

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 806

Likes: 1

From: Carquinez Straights - Northern CA

Besides increased ride height, a larger diameter wheel/tire will give a better ride over small road variations, as there is a larger rolling circumference.

Jan 24, 2020 | 10:19 AM

#13

Lawrence J. Cullen

Stage IV

Joined: Jan 2020

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

From: Chagrin Falls, OH

Did you have any fitment issues between the tire and the belt?

Jan 25, 2020 | 06:23 AM

#14

eighteight

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2019

Posts: 10,804

Likes: 7,444

From: OH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawrence J. Cullen

Did you have any fitment issues between the tire and the belt?

That is obviously related to section width and not rim diameter.
This is my actual experience
a 140 -70-18 Metzler is plug & play
a 150 -70 -18 Metzler required a .125 shim to move the rear pulley outward.
Remember not all tire brands are the same actual dimensions despite sidewall markings. YMMV

Last edited by eighteight; Jan 25, 2020 at 06:29 AM.

Jan 25, 2020 | 06:39 AM

#15

sanman4ever

Club Member

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 3,461

Likes: 329

From: Rhode Island

16" x 21" on mine.

Jan 25, 2020 | 06:54 AM

#16

memphisharley

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2017

Posts: 2,144

Likes: 577

From: memphis

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanman4ever

16" x 21" on mine.

same here...

Jan 25, 2020 | 09:55 AM

#17

btsom

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 4,459

Likes: 2,893

From: Oklahoma

Nobody had any fender clearance problems, bottoming on big bumps?

Jan 25, 2020 | 11:07 AM

#18

eighteight

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2019

Posts: 10,804

Likes: 7,444

From: OH

Quote:

Originally Posted by btsom

Nobody had any fender clearance problems, bottoming on big bumps?

Height difference from 16” 90 series to 18” 70 series is minor , no issues here, even 2 up
Remember it’s only the radius dimension NOT the diameter

Last edited by eighteight; Jan 25, 2020 at 11:17 AM.

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Jan 25, 2020 | 12:32 PM

#19

skratch

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 20,616

Likes: 4,440

From: anacoco, la

in comparing stock sized tires, there is slightly more than a 1/2''' difference overall in the height of the tire (which is only going to raise the rear end abou 1/4'')

Jan 25, 2020 | 01:30 PM

#20

eighteight

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2019

Posts: 10,804

Likes: 7,444

From: OH

Quote:

Originally Posted by skratch

in comparing stock sized tires, there is slightly more than a 1/2''' difference overall in the height of the tire (which is only going to raise the rear end abou 1/4'')

Exactly
thank you
that 1/4 inch height difference will NOT create any fender clearance issues

Last edited by eighteight; Jan 25, 2020 at 01:31 PM.

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