Bicycle Mechanics - Old Schwinn 26" different than modern 26"?

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MKRG
07-11-04, 08:45 PM
OK I'm rebuilding an old Schwinn Breeze for my aunt. The thing is that the old tires that came on the bike are dry rotted. The dry rotted original tire are labeled 26 x 1 5/8 and the ones I bought at Walmart the other day are labeled 26 x 1.5. There is no way I'm going to get the new tires on the rims. Did Schwinn just have some funky old measuring system? Where can I get new tires that will fit? Is there something I'm missing here? Any productive replies are most welcome.

dafydd
07-11-04, 08:58 PM
There are many nominal 26" sizes, several of which are semi-proprietary to Schwinns. You're looking for a 26 1 3/8 tires that's labeled 37-597 (or XX-597, the latter numbers being the most vital).

For more information than you need, check out

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire_sizing.html
meatwad
07-11-04, 11:22 PM
Bike parts usa has them. ( assumeing yours is the rim with the ridge down the center , yes they are different) They are desginated on the site for schwinn. be sure you see the 597 as the last person mentioned. Thats the clincher dia and sounds right.

miamijim
07-12-04, 10:14 AM
Fraction and decimal sizes are not interchangeable with bicycle tires!!!

Your Schwinn may or may not use the 'special' Schwinn S-6 26" tire. Its imperative that you look at the ISO number on the sidewall. Its a 2 digit number followed by a dash them a 3 digit number. YY-XXX The first two digits are the width the last three are the diameter. If it really does say 1-5/8 it may not be a 597 or a 590. Confused?