Folding Bikes - More bike wheel woes :-(

I was sitting at my computer just now, when I heard a "pop!" sound, and I ran over to my bike- turns out the rear tire is well worn and it finally gave. I saw the hole.

So I checked around my place- I have a tire I bought that is a Schwalbe- I bought it at a bike store that specialized in folding bikes. I brought my BF in, told them I wanted a spare tire, and they gave me this tire. Anyway, it's a 28-406 (20x1 1/8).

As it turns out, the tire that seems to fit is a Schwalbe 28-451 (20x 1 1/8).

So I'm wondering if there really is a difference, because now that I have the flat, I obviously need to change out the tire. I have no way of getting to a store to buy another tire right now, since my roadie rear wheel got stolen last week. So if I don't get this tire to fit, I'm pretty screwed for work tomorrow. It clearly looks like it's a smaller tire, but how can a tire that says 20 x 1 1/8 not match a tire that says 20 x 1 1/8?

Am I screwed, or do I need to really try and force this tire onto my rim?

Help!

Koffee

I was sitting at my computer just now, when I heard a "pop!" sound, and I ran over to my bike- turns out the rear tire is well worn and it finally gave. I saw the hole.

So I checked around my place- I have a tire I bought that is a Schwalbe- I bought it at a bike store that specialized in folding bikes. I brought my BF in, told them I wanted a spare tire, and they gave me this tire. Anyway, it's a 28-406 (20x1 1/8).

As it turns out, the tire that seems to fit is a Schwalbe 28-451 (20x 1 1/8).

So I'm wondering if there really is a difference, because now that I have the flat, I obviously need to change out the tire. I have no way of getting to a store to buy another tire right now, since my roadie rear wheel got stolen last week. So if I don't get this tire to fit, I'm pretty screwed for work tomorrow. It clearly looks like it's a smaller tire, but how can a tire that says 20 x 1 1/8 not match a tire that says 20 x 1 1/8?

Am I screwed, or do I need to really try and force this tire onto my rim?

Help!

Koffee


Wow...bummer to hear that a shop that specializes in folding bikes wasn't aware that BF can be spec'ed with either 406 or 451's. Just like majority of ISO standards, 20" bike tire standards can be a bit confusing. Anyway, as for the tech involved, it's 406mm vs. 451mm. I'm sure someone else can get into detail, but I parked my Swift (406) alongside a BF (451) and the tires were definitely not the same size, in spite of the common 20" reference. Anyway, I don't think you're gonna stretch that 406 tire over a 451 rim.

Crap.

Any suggestions on what I can do now? There's no way I can get to the bike shop snce my bikes are out of commission. *sigh* I just do not seem to be having any kind of luck these days with bikes. It almost makes me want to get a car.

Koffee

Oh wow! I called my brother, and he told me back when I moved here, he went out and bought me... tires for my BF! They (three tires!) were neatly stored away in my DeRosa bike luggage. Score!

*whew*

Koffee

....And you didn't even want to let him ride the thing.....

For shame, for shame ;)


Good to hear that you're not stuck without tires. Methinks I should pick up an extra set, now that I'm thinking about it.

Sure didn't. No way! That's a custom bike for ME.

Besides, he didn't give me a christmas present.

Koffee

..Methinks I should pick up an extra set, now that I'm thinking about it.

Great idea. 451s are definitely not 406s!

Actually, I'm 406, but since I ride to work every day, I'd rather not have to worry about this happening on the one day that the LBS is out of "BMX-type" tires.

Bookishboy, I should send you my 406 so you'll have a spare. Drop me a PM with your address and I'll get it out to you at some point.


Koffee

:eek:
Holy crap, that's too nice! That's it, I'm not putting off my membership any more. Koffee, thanks! And I'll PM you as soon as I've also put in for a red star. This forum is just too valuable NOT to support it.

No probs, man. The tire is ready to go whenever.

Koffee