[SpudRider]

Last year I laced a size 2.50-17, Warp9 rim to the hub of my rear wheel.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=14974





I chose the narrower rim for several reasons. I wanted to reduce the weight of the wheel, and its unsprung mass. I also wanted to facilitate tire changes. However, the main reason I chose a narrower hub was to allow the installation of a narrower rear tire.

Several days ago, after 13,000 miles of wear, I replaced my Shinko 244 tire, size 5.10-17, with a Shinko 244 tire, size 4.60-17.



The smaller rear tire has reduced saddle height and the weight of the bike. This tire rides very well, and corners better than the wider tire on pavement. The narrower tire is still wide enough to support good loads. However, if I am riding heavily laden on an extended trip, I can still install the wider, size 5.10-17 tire.

Here are a few more photographs of my new rear tire.