Looking for fast tires for 20x 1 1/8 451-14

[kraftwerk]

I got some tires mail order, wrong size, they are really nice Continental Grand Prix 28-406 way to small for my 451-14 wheels. Are there similar tires available for the wheels I have? This is a new thing for me - the world of folders.
Any source or brand tires you would reccomend ? Thanks

[caotropheus]

There are some 451 X 25 Primos, but the great star amoung folders for the 451 size are the Schwalbe Stelvios 20 X 1 1/8 120 psi. Nice tyres available also on folding version.

[maunakea]

I recommend:

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/tires/451.html and

http://www.gaerlan.com/bikeparts/parts/451wheel/wheel.html


Both have Stelvios and Comet Kevlars. If your riding routes involve shoulders with debris, stay away from the plain Comets, aka glass magnets.

[kraftwerk]

thanks I will try the Stelvios...

[LittlePixel]

You could also try the Bike Friday website - they've got a big range of 451s
I sympathise - when I restored my Raleigh, I wasn't aware of the 406/451 thing and ended up downsizing from 451 because of error (though with lack of decent 451 rims in the UK I probably would have come to the same conclusion anyhoo....

[kraftwerk]

Yeah, I ordered these wheels assuming they were 406's... but I like them and have decided to keep them despite the tire issue, hope I don't live to regret it.... could be a nightmare...

[LittlePixel]

Shouldn't be. 451s have lighter skinnier rims and faster tyres so should make for a sweet bike. You'll probably need shorter reach brake callipers, and you might find it a squeeze in the front forks perhaps?

[kraftwerk]

No. Looks like there is lotsa room to spare in the front of these "Twenty" forks. No idea how they will fit on the BMX forks I have waiting for me. I had my heart set on running Conti. gran-prix tires just because I have them on all my full-size two-wheeled vehicles and they are a fast well made product. Hate to return them to the warehouse... I do like the idea of a slightly larger 20" wheel though.
As an aside( and totaly unrelated) You know there are two differnt size 1" threadless-headsets as well? Talk about standardization!!
learn something new everyday..

[maunakea]

kraftwerk, also beware of "integrated", "semi-integrated", and "traditional" threadless headsets. There are different "nominal diameters" in both 1" and 1-1/8" headsets, and different "integration levels".

[noahj]

I've always found it dumb that 406 and 451 are considered 20" wheels...The sizes are radically different.

The Stelvios seem to be the current favorite. IRC Roadlites are a very nice, fast 451 tire too. Way better than the Comets, for sure.

[kraftwerk]

The difference between these two sizes is huge! 20" just means "smallish wheel" Whearas the two 1" head set sizes is quite marginal.
The thing they have in common? Neither fits the other!

[jasong]

I found that airbomb had some of the best prices on small tires, although they only have the steel belted stelvio for 451. Their prices for the 406 stelvio were the best I'd seen ($27, kevlar folding).

[kraftwerk]

true. Airbomb has the best prices on the 451 stelvios as well at 25 per... shipping is 10 bucks though, still the cheapest..