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propel tyre size

Thought i would reply to questions about fitting larger28mm tyres on a giant propel. I have an 2017 advanced 1 in a medium size that I recently bought that had only done 150mls so nearly a new bike for less than half price. I am 68yrs old and just over 6ft and 180kgs and usually ride m/l  and look for bargains and am finding the bike reasonably comfortable with the stock wheels pa2 and 23mm tyres but have a set of campag zondas with 28mm gatorskins and they fit no bother, but you have to let the air out then reinflate when fitted. What a difference, really comfortable and rolling better with the zondas which I think is one of the best alloy wheels for rolling resistance they are bomb proof and easy to maintain also lighter than the pa2 wheels and as aerodynamic. Incidentally the cassette on the zondas is a 10 speed campag and the propel is fully 11 speed ultegra and the shifting is good enough for me with no major issues, so untill i can fit an 11 speed to suit they will do for now. I know that some of you will be horrified at the fact its an aero bike with all the changes I have made but I look for comfort then speed that I can ride and keep up with younger riders and find it no problem. I can also say that the giant seat is the most comfortable I have tried. By the way before the changes the bike weighed just over 8.00kgs now its 7.8kgs same as my TCR, whats not to like. I'm not a new cyclist in case your wondering, i've had bikes as long as I can remember and grew up with the sturmey archer then 5 speed derailleur on reynolds 531 tubing with the down tube shifters, then made the jump to carbon bikes. I do all my own repairs and refurbish some old vintage bikes now i'm retired and as long as I can get onto a bike i'll keep goin. 

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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12 comments

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martin12 | 4 years ago
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I had the same problem on my Orbea electric bike, in addition to being electric it requires better brakes. Have you considered the possibility of putting disc brakes? They are more complex but have many more advantages. For little money you put good disc brakes.
 

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Podc | 4 years ago
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Just to muddy up the waters again, I have a rim braked 2015 Propel and had to change the rear brake to a later version to fit a 25mm tyre.

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jay jay replied to Podc | 4 years ago
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So if it was only the brake that was the issue will it not now take a 28mm tyre or is the frame obstructing this. I have a 2017 model so no knowledge of your frame geometry if it was changed after 2015

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Podc replied to jay jay | 4 years ago
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I don't think I could go any bigger as the seat tube clearance would be really tight.

The clearance on the brake was simply the cable across the tyre between the brake arms. The later version of the brake has longer arms so the cable sits further away from the tyre.

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jay jay replied to Podc | 4 years ago
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On my bike the clearance on the seat tube and chainstays is approx 4mm when 28 tyres are on which is plenty of room but i knew there was a brake issue with older model but if you have upgraded the rear brake can you upgrade the front brake as well and try a 28 before buying if your LBS would lend you one.

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Daveyraveygravey replied to Podc | 4 years ago
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Podc wrote:

Just to muddy up the waters again, I have a rim braked 2015 Propel and had to change the rear brake to a later version to fit a 25mm tyre.

 

I had the same issue, except I found out the hard way!  I was having a service done on the bike, and got the shop to fit 25mm tyres after I wore the original 23s out, but they were unaware about the longer rear brakes.  A few months later on, the cable was frayed, but you couldn't see the problem unless you sat on the bike.  I took it back, and after a few phone calls, the UK distributor confessed the brake arms needed to be longer.

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jay jay replied to Daveyraveygravey | 4 years ago
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Why didn't your LBS check the tyre clearance surely, if they were bike mechanics they should have seen the problem. Could you not get together with some other cyclists and share knowledge and tools and save some money by doing all your own repairs, it will give you some pride and satisfaction and also if you have a breakdown on a ride you would be able to do enough repair to get home. Unfortunately there are some so called mechanics employed by some shops just to do enough to get the bike out the door as quick as possible. Good luck 

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Daveyraveygravey replied to jay jay | 4 years ago
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jay jay wrote:

Why didn't your LBS check the tyre clearance surely, if they were bike mechanics they should have seen the problem. Could you not get together with some other cyclists and share knowledge and tools and save some money by doing all your own repairs, it will give you some pride and satisfaction and also if you have a breakdown on a ride you would be able to do enough repair to get home. Unfortunately there are some so called mechanics employed by some shops just to do enough to get the bike out the door as quick as possible. Good luck 

I don't know why they didn't check!  You'd think taking it to a Giant main dealership would be perfect, right?!  And yes, that place is much like a lot of car repair places, they always seem to find something that needs replacing soon, or something else that might be a problem...

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hawkinspeter | 4 years ago
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Nice one, but are you really 180kgs?

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jay jay replied to hawkinspeter | 4 years ago
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Sorry my mistake i meant 80 kgs

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Mathemagician | 4 years ago
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Err...thanks for that.

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jay jay replied to Mathemagician | 4 years ago
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No problem hope it helps

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