Fifty Plus (50+) - Quick question on tires

I'm stuck in this hotel room in Nashville throught Friday, and thinking about my "new" bike, the '89 Trek 1500. I'm not having any luck researching this question privately, so I'll put the question to the group:

Can I put 25's or 28's on my bike? It has 23's on it right now, in fact one is brand new. But I've fancied the wider tires for awhile for a cushier ride. Currently I ride with 32's (if (I remember right, they may be even wider) and they have too much drag.

So, does anyone know and/or can anyone point me to some site that would help me with a question like this? Thanks!

Don't know the answer to your question, but was just wondering if you are checking out the Nashville Craigslist while you're there?

When you and your pointy little head get back home, take a look at the clearance between the fork legs and the tires on the bike now. If the tires are very close to the forks, you'll have a problem. If there is plenty of clearance, you can go wider. Unicrown forks typically don't have as much clearance as a full crown fork, but I'd bet you can get 25's and maybe 28's in there.
Louis or Trsnrtr could probably tell you.

Don't know the answer to your question, but was just wondering if you are checking out the Nashville Craigslist while you're there?

Ha! Nope, but I'm still checking SD's CL from habit. Fortunately, nothing too interesting lately! :D

When you and your pointy little head get back home, take a look at the clearance between the fork legs and the tires on the bike now. If the tires are very close to the forks, you'll have a problem. If there is plenty of clearance, you can go wider. Unicrown forks typically don't have as much clearance as a full crown fork, but I'd bet you can get 25's and maybe 28's in there.
Louis or Trsnrtr could probably tell you.

I've had 25's on mine no problem. 28's should be okay but 32's would be pushing it.

I just went downstairs and measured.

front top clearance: 5/16 inch
front side clearance: 7/16 inch

Rear top clearance: 3/8 inch
Rear side clearance: 3/16 inch

*Measurements were taken with 23mm Conti Ultra 2000 tires mounted.

These are not surgical or NASA quality measurements :rolleyes: but will give you some idea.
The way it looks, 28's will be tight and 32's are out of the question.

Put 32's on and you're gonna be wearin' off a lotta red paint. :eek:

Thanks, Louis. That was very helpful of you! Sounds like 25s might be my best option. Or just stickin' with the 23's.

DG, What rims does your bike have?
Assuming your bike came with Matrix Aero rims that Trek liked to provide in the late 80s, then the answer is yes your rims will work well with 28's. I just sold a 88, Trek 1400, one model down from your 1500. It was a large frame bike (60cm) that I picked up to flip. The tires on the bike, that appeared to be the original tires, were 28's. The rims were those brownish colored Matrix Aero rims with 105 hubs.

Thanks, Rocco. I'll check the rims when I get home Saturday. This is all pretty good news. (Even though I just bought a tire!)

Generally, any bike at that price point built at that time with "regular" wheels will go up to 28's. Your real choice will be then between 25's and 28's, keeping in mind that tire manufacturers are no more spot on with their measurements than makers of men's slacks.

When choosing tire size, consider your relative weight, the road surfaces you plan on riding, whether you want a high pressure hard feel or a lower pressure softer ride, how much you value a feeling of "quickness" in your bike or surer footed flotation, and so on. I find a different feel from 25's to 28's more than 23's to 25's.

For regular road riding with friends, I like 25's. For my more adventuresome SUV style bike, good for Starbucks or dirt roads, I like 28's. Given your not pipsqueaky size and riding style, I'd say 28's might be a place to begin.

But why not ride those 23's around for a while and see how they feel....especially seeing how they're already bought. If you like, I'll send you a pair of extra Conti 25's as loaners, ride 'em around, see what you think.

I'm stuck in this hotel room in Nashville

DeeGee, you just inspired me to whip out the air guitar and my magic song writers pen:

I'm stuck in this flop house in Nashville
I told Mama that I'll be a star
but my money's all spent and I can't pay the rent
And I'm drivin' a bike not a car

Hmmm. Maybe that pen isn't so magic.

My neighbor rides a Trek 1500, not sure how old it is... at least 15 years would be my guess. He rides with 28s with no problems. If you get the tires at a place like Performance, you should be able to take them back with no problem if they don't clear the frame/brakes. I would suspect you could do this at most good local bicycle shops too.

Nearly every rider I know uses 23s, including those in their 60s and 70s. We have some crappy roads around here, and you can lower the pressure a little to maybe 90-95psi up front and 100 in the back. I'm sure your Trek will fit 25s and probably 28s, if you want them.
Consider double-wrapping the bar tape if the road buzz bothers you.

[QUOTE=CrossChain]Generally, any bike at that price point built at that time with "regular" wheels will go up to 28's. Your real choice will be then between 25's and 28's, keeping in mind that tire manufacturers are no more spot on with their measurements than makers of men's slacks.

What is with that? One would think that a mm would be a mm the world around and that someone who could make a tire would be able to measure the dern thing correctly. But obviously, that is not true.

Got just the thing for ya...

http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/tires_tubes/10043.html

Got just the thing for ya...

http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/tires_tubes/10043.html

Yeah, baby. They be some good, dependable tires. I have Rolly-Pollys on the front of my touring bike and Roughy-Toughies on the back. I ride a lot of gravel roads and have yet to get a puncture.

I failed to mention that 23mm tires were mounted when measurements were made.:rolleyes:

*Post edited

[QUOTE=CrossChain]Generally, any bike at that price point built at that time with "regular" wheels will go up to 28's. Your real choice will be then between 25's and 28's, keeping in mind that tire manufacturers are no more spot on with their measurements than makers of men's slacks.

What is with that? One would think that a mm would be a mm the world around and that someone who could make a tire would be able to measure the dern thing correctly. But obviously, that is not true.
You must be joking- A manufacturer will hit an idea to make 28 tyre that rolls better than others- so he makes it 26 and calls it a 28. Often happens with Offroad tyres and most people on Tandems use 26x2.3 tyres. This creates drag and I told one rider to get 2.1's fitted. He did and his 2.1's were larger than his 2.3's.


DG
What are you worrying about the tyre size for? Its the colour you have to match up.

I haven't tried the Rolly-Pollys or Ruffy-Tuffys yet, but I run Panaracer Pasela Tourgaurd Kevlar 28c tires on my Bridgestone with great results. Similar construction but they don't have the round profile. I'd like to try those, but when it comes time to buy, the $20 tire gets the nod over the $40 tire every time.

DG, What rims does your bike have? .
Exactly! That is the controlling/limiting factor.
See chart below. Details at: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

I'd suggest trying the 23's for a while to see what you think. I know they look really narrow but that's because of what you're accustomed to riding. You might check out some Vredestein Fortezza SE's-you can get them in red and they have a little larger footprint that most 23's. You should be able to pick up a pair for $50-55 and are really durable. They're a really stable tire and I've never had any issues with flats. I think you would be happy with the way they handle as well. Just something to think about.

I'm stuck in this hotel room in Nashville throught Friday, and thinking about my "new" bike, the '89 Trek 1500. I'm not having any luck researching this question privately, so I'll put the question to the group:

Can I put 25's or 28's on my bike? It has 23's on it right now, in fact one is brand new. But I've fancied the wider tires for awhile for a cushier ride. Currently I ride with 32's (if (I remember right, they may be even wider) and they have too much drag.

So, does anyone know and/or can anyone point me to some site that would help me with a question like this? Thanks!

Can't really answer about your 1500, if it was a cool old steel 600 (6x0) I'd say yes yes yes. But draggy tires do not need to be a part of your life! I have 28 mm Conti GP3000s on my Trek 610 and that is a very light-riding set of wheels - NO sense of dragginess whatsoever. I put the Conti 28 Gatorskins on Mrs. Road Fan's Breezer Liberty and she loves the greater smoothness and responsiveness. Now she kicks my butt even worse going up hills!

Road Fan

I'm stuck in this hotel room in Nashville throught Friday,


I just got back from a week in Nashville, and actually, DG, I am surprised that your fingers aren't frozen to the keyboard. How do Sandiegogonians cope with single digit wind chill?

I just got back from a week in Nashville, and actually, DG, I am surprised that your fingers aren't frozen to the keyboard. How do Sandiegogonians cope with single digit wind chill?

I'll tell you what, spending a week in Nashville with the wind chill at less than 10 degrees from time to time was an eye opener. I have new found respect for you cold weather riders, that's for sure!

I sort of liked the cold weather, but I know it was simply because it's a change of pace for me, and I don't HAVE to endure it for months on end like some of you.

I did get to visit two bike shops in Nashville while I was there, one across the street from the other (which seems to happen often, and which seems odd to me). I was relying on memory, but their prices seemed higher than in San Diego -- about $100 higher per bike on the entry level road bikes. Giants, Specialized, and Schwinns. But again, could be my memory... They didn't have any other customers when I was there. Could that be because the temperature was 28 degrees?

I'll tell you what, spending a week in Nashville with the wind chill at less than 10 degrees from time to time was an eye opener. I have new found respect for you cold weather riders, that's for sure!

I sort of liked the cold weather, but I know it was simply because it's a change of pace for me, and I don't HAVE to endure it for months on end like some of you.


This weekend, the temp got above freezing for the first time in a couple of weeks and it was great to be able to get a couple of short (15-16 miles) rides in. With the right equipment, winter riding can be quite nice--wind and ice can be mean, however. Hope you are able to cope with the sub 60 degree weather when you get back to SD.

Tim