Q559 tire sizing question

[Alex Lemann]

Does anyone happen to know if a Quest 2.0 (with the front shock) will fit the 26 x 1.8 Natches Pass tires from Compass? I currently have 26 x 1.5 schwalbe marathons and it looks like there's only a few mm of clearance under the front fork, but the clearance is tightest at the top of the tire and I'm thinking the Natches Pass might not be as "tall" in profile since it doesn't have any tread to speak of. I know it would be easier if I had the new shock-less front fork but this bike is new to me and I'm not quite ready to make that investment yet.

Thanks for any advice you have! I'm having a blast learning to ride and already loving this bike so much more than my old recumbent.

 

[castlerobber]

I know it would be easier if I had the new shock-less front fork

When you're ready to make that investment, you'll be glad you did. Not just for fitting larger tires, but for the improvement in handling.

 

[rfneep]

If I recall correctly, the 26x1.5 size was as large as you could go with that fork. Even then, it was a tight fit. I eventually replaced the fork and never looked back. The newer unsuspended fork both gives more tire clearance and definitely improves the ride and handling, as Castlerobber says. Well worth the investment if you’re going to keep the bike for a while.

Ray

 

[Alex Lemann]

Thanks for the replies! Interesting notes on the fork. I was kind of assuming that the only benefit would be more clearance. Does the improvement in handling come from having less weight up front?

 

[castlerobber]

Does the improvement in handling come from having less weight up front?

Probably not, since it's only about 2/3 lb. lighter. Getting the slop/bounce out is what makes the difference, IMO.

When I reworked my Q, I started by replacing the rear spring shock with a low-end air shock* from the same manufacturer. Not only did the Q take bumps better, I became aware of how active and energy-sapping the front shock was under hard efforts, especially going up hills.

With the original suspension, I was never confident enough to use clipless pedals, and taking a hand off the handlebars was nerve-wracking. After replacing the rear shock, the handling was so much less squirrelly that I was comfortable going clipless...which improved handling still more. Taking one hand off the bars became easy, and I could even take both hands off for a few seconds. Replacing the suspended fork with unsuspended made the handling more stable yet, since there was no more pogo-ing. The head angle doesn't change with the new fork, so the handling difference must be due to not having the shock.

*I replaced the single-chamber air shock a few months ago, with the dual-chamber version I'd wanted from the start. The single-chamber shock still works fine, might need lubing. If you're interested in it, PM me and we can work something out.

 

[DavidJL]

I do know that the QX100 will take 27.5 X 1.5 Gravel King tires. Glad I did not have to deal with a front shock like on the Q2.0, because the shock on the QX100 already allows front wheel travel.

 

[benphyr]

...because the shock on the QX100 already allows front wheel travel.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean but I am guessing that you mean that because the QX100 (which I have) has a pivot joint, rear suspension, and because it is not a top-end $$$$$ bike that there is some flex/play in the bike overall even without a front shock and you can only imagine how much flex and play there would be in earlier front suspension models.

 

[DavidJL]

When I hit a bump with the front wheel, the suspension activates. The pivot is fairly close to the center of the bike. As for flex, there is definitely flex in the rear swingarm when laterally loaded.

 

[billyk]

Getting the slop/bounce out is what makes the difference, IMO.

Yes. This, exactly. (Also about the shock). You can probably get a QX100 (rigid) fork setup from Rose City Recumbents for pretty cheap, and the swap isn't hard. Yeah, less slop and wiggle. The bike feels much stiffer.

 

[Alex Lemann]

Hi All,
Just checking in with an update in case anyone is curious about this. I bought a pair of Rene Herse (aka Compass) Naches Pass tires at 42mm wide and they fit just fine. The vertical (radial) clearance under the fork crown was most concerning to me, but as it happens the Compass tires are rounder than most, so a 1.8 inch tire ended up working even though it looked like there was no spare room at all with the 1.5 inch Schwalbe Marathons. I'm not sure there would be room for fenders though. I'll attach a picture.

In other news I am loving the Quest and already lusting after an S40!