Mavic MA2 Rim Info -- Maximum Tire Width?

[d***@gmail.com]

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).

[c***@comcast.net]

Post by d***@gmail.com
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

[Chalo]

Post by d***@gmail.com
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

[Ozark Bicycle]

Post by Chalo

Post by d***@gmail.com
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>

Post by Chalo
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.

[jim beam]

Post by d***@gmail.com
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.

[d***@gmail.com]

Post by d***@gmail.com
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.

[Tim McNamara]

In article

Post by d***@gmail.com

Post by d***@gmail.com
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!

[Ozark Bicycle]

Post by Tim McNamara
In article

<snipped>

Post by Tim McNamara
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"???

Post by Tim McNamara
one of the best ever made,

The MA2 is a legend in your mind, Timmy.

[d***@gmail.com]

On Oct 29, 10:02 am, Ozark Bicycle

Post by Ozark Bicycle
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.

[Ozark Bicycle]

On Oct 29, 10:02 am, Ozark Bicycle

Post by Ozark Bicycle
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'm not questioning your choice of using an MA2. In fact, I still run
a pair of 36H MA2s myself. They are entirely adequate, even kinda
nice.

I *am* disputing McNamara's contention that "the MA2 is a great rim,
one of the best ever made". That, IMO, is pure hogwash.

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

Of course, there are a group of fools paying big bucks for MA2s on
eBay, so you might want to consider offering it there.

[jim beam]

On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:24:26 -0700, Ozark Bicycle wrote:

<snip>

Of course, there are a group of fools paying big bucks for MA2s on eBay,
so you might want to consider offering it there.

good call!

while i'm sympathetic to the op's objective, the ultimate winter rim is
ceramic - virtually wear proof.

[Ozark Bicycle]

Post by jim beam

Post by d***@gmail.com
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! ;-)

Post by jim beam
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!!!

[Jay Beattie]

Post by Ozark Bicycle

Post by jim beam

Post by d***@gmail.com
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! ;-)

Post by jim beam
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!!!

Well, saying that "modern rims" are better is sort of open-ended
because modern rims comprise an huge category -- from stupid light to
boat anchor rims. MA2s are/were (I am still riding on one) good
rims -- strong, straight out of the box, easy to build with eyelets
(no chasing escaped nipples around a hollow section rim) -- and still
make for a really reliable wheel. Based on my experience, they do not
crack around the spoke holes as readily as some modern, eyelet-less
rims, which means only that you have to use thread lock on the modern
rims to avoid cracking or detensioning. The sidewalls are no less
tough than an Aerohead or OpenPro, which are lighter rims. I am sure
there is some weight comparable Velocity or Sun rim that is probably
better, but the MA2 is perfectly good rim. A lot of the misty-eyed
sentimentality also comes from the fact that they were relatively
cheap. -- Jay Beattie.

[Chalo]

but the MA2 is perfectly good rim.  A lot of the misty-eyed
sentimentality also comes from the fact that they were relatively
cheap.

They are far better-looking than any new rim money can buy today.
That's why I used them on my wife's bike-- everything else I could get
my hands on looked too tawdry to belong on a nicely detailed lugged
road frame.

When a turd golem in a pickup truck folded her rear wheel, I replaced
the MA2 with a very similar looking, also out-of-production Torelli
Master.

Chalo

[Tim McNamara]

In article

Post by Chalo

but the MA2 is perfectly good rim.  A lot of the misty-eyed
sentimentality also comes from the fact that they were relatively
cheap.

They are far better-looking than any new rim money can buy today.
That's why I used them on my wife's bike-- everything else I could
get my hands on looked too tawdry to belong on a nicely detailed
lugged road frame.
When a turd golem in a pickup truck folded her rear wheel, I replaced
the MA2 with a very similar looking, also out-of-production Torelli
Master.

The polished Sun CR-18 is a very nice looking rim, although not
socketed. I have had very good results with its immediate predecessor
the CR-16 and the CR 18; however they are wider than the MA2.

[Hank]

Post by d***@gmail.com
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).

Should work fine if the stays & seat tube have clearance.

My dad's mid-90s Novara Randonee came stock with MA40s (same
extrusion, but dark anodized) and 700x32 Avocet Cross tires.

[Pete Biggs]

Post by d***@gmail.com
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).

32mm will be fine with it, with any sensible air pressure.

I know of an MA2 used with a 38mm Marathon Plus with no apparent problems.
That's wider than ideal, IMO, but I mention it to let you know what it is
possible with this rim.

~PB

[m***@gmail.com]

Post by d***@gmail.com
What's the maximum width of a tire that I can put on it?

I run 38s on mine. No issues.

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