How to Fit Bigger Tires to Your Mountain Bike

Mountain bike tires and wheels are standardized at 26 inches. You cannot change this measurement because of your bike's frame limitations. However, you can fit wider tires on 26-inch rims. This is done for more stability in downhill or extremely rocky or rough conditions. To change to bigger tires, use the numbers printed on the outside of the tire for reference.

Things You'll Need

  • Mountain bike tires, 26 x 3.00
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check the side of your mountain bike tire. You will see a pair of numbers. For example, you may see 26 x 1.95. If the second number is smaller than 3.00, you can fit bigger tires on your bike.

    • 2

      Go to a bike shop and purchase tires that are 26 x 2.125 for one size bigger or 26 x 3.00 for the biggest size you can fit on your wheels.

    • 3

      Remove the wheels from your bike. Take off the old tires.

    • 4

      Install the bigger tires on your wheels. Put the wheels back on your bike. Everything will work the same, brakes, gears, speedometer and all cables.