Not being able to use the last 3/4 inch may not be that big of a deal on a street bike but the guy asking the question is planning on racing the thing. My advice is don't get too hung up on the look of a big tire, stick with something that will work. A tire pinched in that much is actully a smaller contact patch at full lean than a narrower but properly sized tire. Ask yourself, what would be the benefit of the bigger tire?