I have a new Dunlop E-3 160/80/16 rear tire. My bike has 16 x 3" laced wheels. The E-3 should be mounted on a 3.5" wheel. I know I can use the 3" but I'm looking for cost effective options to put a 3.5". Can I get a 3.5" outer rim and have it laced onto my hub? What would be involved? Would it fit my bike? Can the 25mm bearings on a 2008 and newer 16 x 3.5 wheel be swapped for the right bearings for my bike? I would be having an indy mechanic do the work if that helps in the decision. Thanks

 

You can do that. Or you can just get a new rim made for your bike with the proper bearings and all and sell the old rim. that is what I would do. A whole wheel in 40 spoke runs about $600. I guess that really is not cost effective, huh?

 

Lots of others in here running the E3 on the 3'' rim.. Actually the 160 is a little narrower and a little taller than the Lops 401's 150-80-16

I am going to try a set of E3's on the next change in the fall, on the 3''ers.

 

Thanks fopr the replies. Yeah, $600 is more than I wanted to spend. I guess any way you look at it whether I get a new wheel or have the old one re-laced with a wider rim, if I have someone else do it I'm out some pretty high $$$. I'll probably just put it on my 3" wheel. Just for the sake of argument, can the 25mm bearing be swapped for the correct ones for my bike (I forget if they are 3/4" or 1")?