fredward
03-26-11, 12:50 PM
i recently got an old 60's or 70's raliegh and when i tried to change the tires, they wouldn't come off. it looks like they were glued on there. any advice would be appreciated, i'd like to get to riding this thing.
Bicycle Mechanics - my tire won't come off!
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FBinNY
03-26-11, 01:09 PM
Over a long time, the rubber softens and glues itself to the rim. It's very common with older stuff but isn't a cause for despair. Squeeze the base of the tire inward from both sides, press it from one side at a time, and you'll unglue it so it can be removed. If it's glued so well that you can't press it in, stick a tire lever, or any dull flat thing between the tire and rim (not under as you would to pry it off) and break the bond, then work your edge around the rim until the tire is free all the way. Usually once you start the rest goes very quickly.
BTW- after this tire is off, scrape the inner edge of the rim free of left over traces using an old credit card or something similar.
BTW- after this tire is off, scrape the inner edge of the rim free of left over traces using an old credit card or something similar.
shelbyfv
03-26-11, 02:17 PM
tubulars?
FBinNY
03-26-11, 02:34 PM
tubulars?
Possibly, but I discounted it based on the fact that Raleigh wasn't making many high end bikes in that era.
TO the OP- if you have narrow tires with skinny valves that aren't like car valves, on narrow aluminum rims, it's possible that you have tubular tires. These are sewn at the bottom to form an continuous tube, then glued to a rim with a shallow curvature.
It's easy to know quickly. Slide or force a tire lever, or spoon handle between the tire and rim. If it sticks out pointing mainly out away from the hub you have a conventional tire and tube. If it sticks out sideways you have tubulars, aka sewups, and these are glued on to the rim, and are for high end performance use only.
Possibly, but I discounted it based on the fact that Raleigh wasn't making many high end bikes in that era.
TO the OP- if you have narrow tires with skinny valves that aren't like car valves, on narrow aluminum rims, it's possible that you have tubular tires. These are sewn at the bottom to form an continuous tube, then glued to a rim with a shallow curvature.
It's easy to know quickly. Slide or force a tire lever, or spoon handle between the tire and rim. If it sticks out pointing mainly out away from the hub you have a conventional tire and tube. If it sticks out sideways you have tubulars, aka sewups, and these are glued on to the rim, and are for high end performance use only.
fredward
03-28-11, 11:13 PM
thanks guys
Steve530
03-29-11, 01:32 AM
The first sewups I ever saw were on an early 70's Raleigh International. 531 double butted, nice lugs, full Campy except for the brakes. Sheldon Brown owned one which was sold a few months after his death.
What model do you have, fredward?
What model do you have, fredward?
fredward
03-29-11, 12:49 PM
i've got the raleigh sports, it's a 3 speed cruiser type bike.
fietsbob
03-29-11, 01:56 PM
i've got the raleigh sports, it's a 3 speed cruiser type bike.
then +1 on the crusty tire analysis.
then +1 on the crusty tire analysis.
Doohickie
03-29-11, 02:48 PM
Yeah, those should be conventional bike tires.
Steve530
03-29-11, 03:08 PM
i've got the raleigh sports, it's a 3 speed cruiser type bike.
Here's some info on the Raleigh Sports (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/sports.html).
26" tires, with clincher rims.
Here's some info on the Raleigh Sports (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/sports.html).
26" tires, with clincher rims.
fredward
03-29-11, 10:49 PM
thank you guys for your advice, but i'm pretty sure my question was answered by the first response.