
Tire Sizes
What do the various size markings on bicycle tires mean?
Nowadays, bicycle tire sizes are all marked according to ETRTO (European Tire and Rim Technical Organization) standard. However, older English and French tire size dimensions are still used as well. The ETRTO size specification 37-622 indicates the width of 37 mm and the tire inner diameter of 622 mm. This dimension is clear and allows a precise classification of the rim size. The inch marking (e.g. 28 x 1.40) states the approximate outer diameter (28 inches) and the tire width (1.40 inches). Another inch marking is 28 x 1 5/8 x 1 3/8 (approximate outer diameter x tire height x tire width); it is also common. Inch sizes are not precise and lack accuracy. For example, diameters 559 mm (MTB), 571 mm (Triathlon) and 590 mm (Touring) are all classified as 26 inch. Tires with diameters 622 mm and 635 mm are both classified as 28 inch. Oddly enough, tires with an inner diameter of 630 mm are classified as 27 inch. These classifications originate from the time of tire brakes. In those days, the exact outer diameter of the tire was defined by the brake. Depending on tire width, various standards for the inner diameter applied. Inch dimensions are widely used in both MTB sport and English language countries. Therefore, we will continue to use these specifications for all tires. But only in decimal form, e.g. 26 x 2.25. Experience tells us that nowadays very few users are familiar with the classical fractional inch dimensions, such as 28 x 1 5/8 x 1 3/8. When the 29 inch MTB tire size was introduced a few years ago, it had the same inner diameter of 622 mm, known as 28 inch in Europe. The latest tire size is 27.5 inches. This tire size is favored for MTBs which are too small for the very big 29 inch wheels, in order to benefit from the advantages of bigger diameters. This is the case, for example, with bicycles having a very long suspension travel or very small frame sizes. 27.5 inch tires have an inner diameter of 584 mm and are identical with the old French size marking 650B. French size markings (e.g. 700 x 35C) give the approximate tire outer diameter (700 mm) and width (35 mm). The letter at the end indicates the inner diameter of the tire. In this case, C stands for 622 mm. French size markings are not used for all tire sizes, so, for example, it is not used for MTB sizes. |
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Size Designations Overview
ETRTO | Inch | French | |
Size designation | 37-622 |
28 x 1.40" 28 x 1 5/8 x 1 3/8" |
700x35c |
Outer diameter | - | Approx. 28" | Approx. 700mm |
Inner diameter | 622 mm | - | - |
Tire section width | Approx. 37 mm |
Approx. 1.40" Approx. 1 3/8" |
Approx. 35 mm |
Tire section height | - | Approx. 1 5/8" | - |
How many tire sizes are there?
The following list shows all common tire sizes. For virtually every tire size, you should be able to find a corresponding ETRTO-size in this list.
The current Schwalbe sizes and markings are given in bold. We have tried to list in addition all tire sizes which are currently used on the market or which were used in the past. These classical fractional size indications are also often engraved on old Schwalbe tires. Sometimes, you still find them on current models which have already been available for quite a long time.
ETRTO | Inch | French | |
7" | 47-93 | 7 x 1 3/4 | |
8" | 47-94 |
20 x 47-50 8 x 2 |
|
50-94 | 200 x 50 | ||
54-110 | 8 x 2 1/8 8 1/2 x 2 | ||
32-137 | 8 x 1 1/4 | ||
10" | 54-152 44-194 | 10 x 2 10 x 1 5/8 | |
11" | 47-222 | 11 x 13/4 | |
12" | 47-203 | 12 1/2 x 1.75 12 1/2 x 1.90 | |
54-203 | 12 x 1.95 | ||
57-203 | 12 1/2 x 2 1/4 R | ||
62-203 | 12 1/2 x 2 1/4 | ||
32-239 | 12 1/2 x 1 3/8 x 1 1/4 | 300 x 32A | |
57-239 | 12 1/2 x 2 1/4 | 300 x 55A | |
14" | 57-251 | 14 1/2 x 2 1/4 | 300 x 55A |
47-254 | 14 x 1.75 14 x 1.90 | ||
40-279 | 14 x 11/2 | 350 x 38B | |
37-288 | 14 x 1 5/8 x 1 3/8 | 350A 350A 350A Confort 350A Ballon 350A 1/2Ballon 350 x 32A | |
40-288 | 14 x 1 5/8 | 350 x 38A | |
44-288 | 14 x 1 5/8 x 1 3/8 | 350A 350 x 42A | |
32-298 | 14 x 1 1/4 | 350A 350 x 32A | |
16" | 40-305 | 16 x 1.50 | |
47-305 | 16 x 1.75 16 x 1.90 | ||
54-305 | 16 x 1.95 16 x 2.00 | ||
57-305 | 16 x 2.125 | ||
40-330 | 16 x 1 1/2 | 400 x 38B | |
28-340 | 400 x 30A | ||
32-340 | 16 x 1 3/8 x 1 1/4 | 400A 400 x 32A | |
37-340 | 16 x 1 3/8 x 1 1/4 | 400 x 35A 400A Confort 400A Ballon 400A 1/2 Ballon | |
44-340 | 16 x 1 5/8 | ||
28-349 | 16 x 11/8 | ||
32-349 | 16 x 11/4 NL | ||
37-349 | 16 x 1 3/8 | ||
17" | 32-357 | 17 x 1 1/4 | |
37-369 | 17 x 1 1/4 | ||
18" | 28-355 | 18 x 1 1/8 | |
40-355 | 18 x 1.50 | ||
47-355 | 18 x 1.75 18 x 1.90 | ||
37-387 | 18 x 1 3/8 | ||
40-387 | 18 x 1 1/2 | ||
28-390 | 18 x 1 1/8 | 450 x 28A 450A | |
37-390 | 18 x 1 3/8 | 450 x 35A 450A 450A Confort 450A Ballon 450A 1/2Ballon | |
55-390 | 450 x 55A | ||
57-390 | 450 x 55A 450A | ||
37-400 | 18 x 1 3/8 | ||
20" | 54-400 | 20 x 2 x 1 3/4 20 x 2F4J | |
28-406 | 20 x 1 1/8 | ||
32-406 | 20 x 1.25 | ||
35-406 | 20 x 1.35 | ||
37-406 | 20 x 1 3/8 | ||
40-406 | 20 x 1.50 | ||
44-406 | 20 x 1.625 | ||
47-406 | 20 x 1.75 20 x 1.90 | ||
50-406 | 20 x 2.00 | ||
54-406 | 20 x 2.00 | ||
57-406 | 20 x 2.125 | ||
54-428 | 20 x 2.00 | ||
40-432 | 20 x 1 1/2 | ||
37-438 | 20 x 1 3/8 | 500A | |
40-438 | 20 x 1 3/8 | 500 x 38A | |
28-440 | 500 x 28A 500A 500A Standard | ||
40-440 | 20 x 1 1/2NL | 500 x 38A | |
28-451 | 20 x 1 1/8 | ||
37-451 | 20 x 1 3/8 B.S. | ||
22" | 44-484 | 22 x 15/8 x 11/2 | |
25-489 | 22 x 1.00 | ||
37-489 | 22 x 1 3/8 NL | ||
40-489 | 22 x 1 3/8 x 1 1/2 | ||
50-489 | 22 x 2.00 | ||
28-490 | 550 x 28A 550A 550A Standard | ||
32-490 | 22 x 1 3/8 x 1 1/4 | 550 x 32A 550A | |
37-490 | 22 x 13/8 | 550 x 35A 550A Confort 550A Ballon 550A 1/2 Ballon | |
37-498 | 22 x 1 3/8 x 1 1/4 | ||
32-501 | 22 x 1 1/4 | ||
37-501 | 22 x 1 3/8 | ||
24" | 40-507 | 24 x 1.50 | |
44-507 | 24 x 1.625 24 x 1.75 | ||
47-507 | 24 x 1.75 24 x 1.85/1.90 | ||
49-507 | 24 x 1.85 | ||
50-507 | 24 x 1.90/2.00 24 x 2.00 24 x 2.125 | ||
54-507 | 24 x 2.10 | ||
57-507 | 24 x 2.125 24 x 2.00 | ||
60-507 | 24 x 2.35 | ||
44-531 | 24 x 1 5/8 x 1 1/2 | ||
40-534 | 24 x 1 1/2 | ||
25-540 | 24 x 1.00 | ||
32-540 | 24 x 1 3/8 x 1 1/4 24 x 1 3/8 | ||
37-540 | 24 x 1 3/8 | ||
40-540 | 24 x 1 3/8 x 1 1/2 | ||
22-541 | |||
25-541 | 600 x 25A | ||
28-541 | 600 x 28A 600A 600A Standard | ||
32-541 | 24 x 1 3/8 x 1 1/4 N4 | 600 x 32A | |
37-541 | 600 x 35A 600A Confort 600A Ballon 600A 1/2 Ballon | ||
26" | 25-559 | 26 x 1.00 | |
35-559 | 26 x 1.35 | ||
37-559 | 26 x 1 5/8 x 1 3/8 26 x 1.40 | ||
40-559 | 26 x 1.50 | ||
44-559 | 26 x 1.625 26 x 1.50/1.75 | ||
47-559 | 26 x 1.75 26 x 1.85/1.90 | ||
50-559 | 26 x 1.90 26 x 1.95 26 x 1.90/2.00 26 x 2.00/2.10 | ||
54-559 | 26 x 1.95 26 x 2.10 26 x 2.125 | ||
57-559 | 26 x 2.125 26 x 2.20/2.25 | ||
60-559 | 26 x 2.35 | ||
62-559 | 26 x 2.50 | ||
20-571 | 26 x 3/4 | 650 x 20C | |
23-571 | 26 x 7/8 | 650 x 22C | |
40-571 | 26 x 1 1/2 CS 26 x 1 3/8 x 1 1/2 NL 26 x 1 5/8 x 1 1/2 | 650 x 35C 650 x 38C | |
47-571 | 26 x 1 3/4 650 CS confort | 650 x 45C | |
54-571 | 26 x 2 x 1 3/4 | 650 x 50C | |
28-584 | 26 x 1 1/8 x 1 1/2 | 650 x 28B | |
32-584 | 650 x 32B | ||
35-584 | 26 x 1 3/8 x 1 1/2 | 650 x 35B 650B Standard | |
37-584 | 26 x 1 1/2 x 1 3/8 26 x 1 1/2 | 650 x 35B | |
40-584 | 26 x 1 5/8 x 1 1/2 | 650 x 42B 650B Semi-Confort 650B 1/2 Ballon | |
20-590 | 650 x 20A | ||
25-590 | 26 x 1 1/8, 1 1/4 26 x 1 3/8 - 1 1/4 | 650 x 32A | |
28-590 | 26 x 1 1/8 | 650 x 28A | |
32-590 | 26 x 1 1/4 26 x 1 3/8 x1 1/4 | 650 x 32A | |
35-590 | 26 x 1 3/8 | 650 x 35A | |
37-590 | 26 x 1 3/8 | 650 x 35A 650A | |
40-590 | 26 x 1.50 28 x 1 3/8 x 1 1/2 | 650 x 38A | |
44-590 | |||
32-597 | 26 x 1 1/4 | ||
27" | 40-609 | 27 x 1 1/2 | |
20-630 | 27 x 3/4 | ||
22-630 | 27 x 7/8 | ||
25-630 | 27 x 1.00 27 x 1 1/16 | ||
28-630 | 27 x 1 1/8 27 x 1 1/4 Fifty 27 x 1 1/4 | ||
32-630 | 27 x 1 1/4 | ||
28/32-630 | 27 x 1 1/4 | ||
35-630 | 27 x 1 3/8 | ||
28" | 18-622 | 28 x 3/4 | 700 x 18C |
19-622 | 700 x 19C | ||
20-622 | 28 x 3/4 | 700 x 20C | |
22-622 | 28 x 7/8 | 700 x 22C | |
23-622 | 28 x 7/8 | 700 x 23C | |
25-622 | 28 x 1.00 | 700 x 25C | |
28-622 | 28 x 1.10 | 700 x 28C | |
30-622 | 28 x 1.20 | 700 x 30C | |
32-622 | 28 x 1.25 | 700 x 32C 700C COURSE | |
35-622 | 28 x 1.35 | 700 x 35C | |
37-622 | 28 x 1.40 | 700 x 35C | |
40-622 | 28 x 1.50 | 700 x 38C | |
42-622 | 28 x 1.60 | 700 x 40C | |
44-622 | 28 x 1.625 | 700 x 42C | |
47-622 | 28 x 1.75 | 700 x 45C | |
50-622 | 28 x 1.90, 28 x 2.00 | ||
60-622 | 28 x 2.35 | ||
32-635 | 28 x 1 1/2 x 1 1/8 | 770 x 28B 700 x 28B 770B COURSE | |
40-635 | 28 x 1 1/2 28 x 1 1/2 x 1 3/8 | 700 x 38B 700 x 35B 700 Standard 700B Standard | |
44-635 | 28 x 1 5/8 x 1 1/2 | 700 x 40/42B | |
28-642 | 28 x 1 3/8 x 1 1/8 | 700 x 28A | |
37-642 | 28 x 1 3/8 | 700 x 35A |
What is actually the difference between 28 and 29 inches?
The silliest answer to this question would be to say that the difference is exactly 1 inch. Another answer would be: There is no difference. Both tire sizes have the same inner diameter of 622 mm and can therefore be fitted on the same rims. In Europe, 28 inches is a traditional size for touring bicycles. In many countries it is even the most frequent tire size used. In countries outside Europe the rim diameter of 622 mm is only rarely used. Bicycle travelers who want to buy spare tires for a 28-inch touring bicycle anywhere in the world, can tell you a thing or two about it. A few years ago 29 inch tires were introduced as a new wheel size for mountain bikes in the US. The marking was created, as the MTB tires are more voluminous and the outer diameter measures approximately 29 inches.
Both indications are, however, very imprecise. A less wide 28 inch tire, e.g. with a tire width of 23 mm, which is usual for a road bike, has in fact only an outer diameter of something more like 26 inches. In the case of a tire width of 40 mm, |
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What are the advantages of the new wheel sizes 27.5 and 29 inches?
The new sizes are well established on the market and this is for good reason. The advantages of the large wheels outweigh the disadvantages. 29 inch wheels weigh a little more, are less maneuverable and possibly less stiff, but they roll clearly There are, however, some bicycles which do not have enough clearance for a large 29 inch wheel, e.g. in the case of very small frame sizes and in particular bicycles with very long suspension travel. This is where the new wheel size 27.5 comes in. Schwalbe will continue to offer all usual MTB tires for all three diameters. |
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