Bicycle Mechanics - 26" tires on 650c rims?

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Patriot
12-25-05, 05:39 PM
I am going to be building a pair of matching hybrids for some friends of mine, but am used to using regular 650x23-25c tires for my wifes bike. Her friend wants a slightly wider tire. Can I use a slightly wider 26x1-1/8" treaded tire on 650c road rims? Or even a 26x1.25"? I know the forks and brakes have the clearance, but I'm not sure if those sizes are compatible with road rims.

georgiaboy
12-25-05, 05:43 PM
Hopefully this will help. I don't know the explicit answer.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
baxtefer
12-25-05, 06:20 PM
no. 26" MTB rims are 559mm and 650c's are 571mm

georgiaboy
12-25-05, 06:25 PM
Reading the chart by Sheldon Brown it says:

26 x 1 (650 C) 571 mm Triathlon, time trial, small road bikes
26 x 1 1/4 597 mm

That seems to indicate that a 26" x 1" tire would work on a 650c rim. But not anything wider than 1".

Maybe someone has some clarification.
Primo Tiki
12-25-05, 06:31 PM
Reading the chart by Sheldon Brown it says:

26 x 1 (650 C) 571 mm Triathlon, time trial, small road bikes
26 x 1 1/4 597 mm

That seems to indicate that a 26" x 1" tire would work on a 650c rim. But not anything wider than 1".

Maybe someone has some clarification.


It's just the way you look at the nominal name. In most cases 26x1.5" bead diameter does not = 26x1 1/2 bead diameter
halfspeed
12-25-05, 07:55 PM
I am going to be building a pair of matching hybrids for some friends of mine, but am used to using regular 650x23-25c tires for my wifes bike. Her friend wants a slightly wider tire. Can I use a slightly wider 26x1-1/8" treaded tire on 650c road rims? Or even a 26x1.25"? I know the forks and brakes have the clearance, but I'm not sure if those sizes are compatible with road rims.

No. MTB 26" tires are not compatible with 650c rims. When in doubt, look at the bead seat diameter to determine compatability. Things like 26x1 1/8 can be deceptive. Not all 26" tires are compatible.
halfspeed
12-25-05, 09:02 PM
It's just the way you look at the nominal name. In most cases 26x1.5" bead diameter does not = 26x1 1/2 bead diameter

You're right that they are not compatible, but neither of those are bead seat diameters. Read Sheldon's page again.
ctp
12-25-05, 09:19 PM
When in doubt check the ETRTO number (and they changed it, what is it now, ISO?)

Anyway, if those numbers match, then stuff will fit together. You have likely seen them...25-559, or 28-622...the first is a 1" wide MTB tire that would be labled 26X1 in your LBS, the second you would better recognize if it were called 700C X 28. Me and my old boss would know exactly what to grab if you came in and asked for a 28-622...I make no claims for anyone else being as geeky as us. ;)

That second number is the bead seat diameter. The bead seats must match.
Patriot
12-25-05, 09:41 PM
Ok, what I am looking for is basically a more comfy tire to ride that will fit a 650c road rim. Something a smidgeon more hefty than a 650x23c, and also with a little tread, not slicks.

Any takers?
ctp
12-25-05, 10:34 PM
Ok, what I am looking for is basically a more comfy tire to ride that will fit a 650c road rim. Something a smidgeon more hefty than a 650x23c, and also with a little tread, not slicks.

Any takers?

Sure - so a 22-571 isn't comfy enough. And you want it to be "smidgeon more hefty" than a 23-571. I'd start looking for a 28-571, or maybe even a 32-571.

How about this one here? The Terry Tellus ST at $40, ETRTO 28-571

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/tires/571.html