Folding Bikes - Budget alternative to 406-50 Big Apples

I ended up putting the CST Cyclops 20” x 1.95” on my Twenty. It looks like I could have gotten a 50mm Big Apple into the fork, though I might have needed a narrower rim. However I found my supplier doesn't carry the Big Apples in the 16" or 20" sizes. So my choice was paying retail for Apples or wholesale for a tire that retails for about $13.

The supposedly 53mm tire measures 48mm on the stock, very wide, rim. Clearance at the fork is only about 1mm. Fortunately the tire runs as true as if it had been turned on a lathe. It weighs 430 grams vs. 530 for the 50mm Big Apple. The tire seems to roll about as well as the Apples, but I haven't done any coast down comparisons with other riders yet.

I've been playing around with air pressures. So far I’m down to 35psi and it doesn’t feel any different than 65. I think I’ll get down to 25-30psi before rolling resistance starts to go up.

Where in the twin cities area can you buy the CST Cyclops 20 x 1.95's?--david

Any bike shop can get them from QBP here in the Twin Cities, Part # TR3716

A BMX oriented shop may have them in stock. They are rated for 85 psi for ramp riding, but unless you had full suspension they would slow you down and rattle your teeth.

Hi MnHPVA! I hope that everything turned out well for the family.

I am interested in reading your opinions on tires and how to distinguish "good" tires from "bad" tires. I scanned the mnhpva.org website and saw the Moulton & Hadland article on wheels. I also refreshed my memory with Schwalbe's tire tech website. More specifically, I am getting my grubby hands on a Bike Friday NWT and want to learn more to better choose a set of tires. Unfortunately, the NWT is limited to tires 1.75" and smaller. But I noticed several "almost-balloon" tires at that size and decided that the price was too good to pass up.

I put parenthesis around the adjectives since it isn't entirely clear to me what metrics determine good and bad nor how those metrics are weighted. For instance, it might be the case that rolling resistance varies a lot across tires but durability does not. Hence, in this situation, I would expect rolling resistance to be relatively more important.

I am interested in reading your opinions on tires and how to distinguish "good" tires from "bad" tires. I'm working on it, but time is scarce and I think the answer will run several pages. I'll probably post it on my web site and let the forum know when I do.

I'm working on it, but time is scarce and I think the answer will run several pages. I'll probably post it on my web site and let the forum know when I do.

Thanks MnHPVA Guy. I understand that it takes time and appreciate your efforts.

You are referring to a Raliegh twenty? I ask because i would like to use a wider tire on my Boardwalk.

You are referring to a Raliegh twenty?
Yes.