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Should I switch to wider tires?

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Should I switch to wider tires?

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Old 10-23-16, 02:17 PM
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Should I switch to wider tires?

I commute on 26x1.25 tires, it can be a bumpy ride sometimes. I want to switch to 24x1.75 or 24x2.0, leaning towards 1.75 since 2.0 might be too big for me. Changing wheel size will not be a problem since I run a coaster brake.

The only wide slick 24" tires I can find are the schawalbe marathon hs420.

What is the best choice?

Last edited by Got; 10-23-16 at 02:43 PM.
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Old 10-23-16, 05:29 PM
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If you want a real slick (not tread pattern) Schwalbe make the Kojak in 24 x 1.5
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Old 10-23-16, 05:47 PM
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Will the frame of your current cruiser take 24" rims and tires? Dropping down from 26" to 24"wheels might create clearance problems with the pedals and the ground. And if I were you I'd just keep the 26" wheels and use a different 26" tire. There's lots of good options in larger 26" tires out there especially in the 26x1.5" or 26x2.0 sizes. They usually run 65-70 psi max, but no harm in using a little less air pressure to make the ride a little more forgiving.
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Old 10-23-16, 05:48 PM
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For the kojaks, Do they have 1.75 or 2.0 sizes? 1.5 is too small vertically, else my bottom bracket height might be too low.
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Old 10-23-16, 08:01 PM
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26x21.5. Then it depends on the tread
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Old 10-24-16, 12:39 AM
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What frame are you running that 26"x1.25" is as big as you can go without considering smaller rims?

There are lots of good options in 26"x1.5" or 26"x1.75" if you can fit them.
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Old 10-24-16, 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Got
For the kojaks, Do they have 1.75 or 2.0 sizes? 1.5 is too small vertically, else my bottom bracket height might be too low.

The Kojaks are available in 2.00 in the 26 inch diameter, but not the 24 inch.
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Old 10-25-16, 11:11 AM
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10.3" is a pretty good bottom bracket height, almost exactly what I have on my '87 Bianchi.

You might consider switching to some good 26"x1.5" tires next, and use one of the online calculators to make sure you aren't overinflating them. That way, you wouldn't need new wheels, the increase in bottom bracket height would be small, but it would definitely smooth out your ride. Try the middle ("Weight of (Fully-dressed) Rider & Bike") calculator on this page: Bicycle tire pressure calculator
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Old 10-28-16, 06:57 PM
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I measured carefully this time, turns out my BB height is 10.7 inches, so now I have more room to work with.

The frame can take about 26x1.75 as the max size for tires. 2.0 if I am careful and the frame and wheel are true and centered.

Currently running 26x1.25.

If I switch to 24x2.0 my bottom bracket height will drop .25 inches.
If I switch to 24x1.75 my bottom bracket height will drop .5 inches.

Current bottom bracket height is 10.7 inches. I prefer a lower BB height since I use my bike to commute in stop and go traffic.

What are people's thoughts about this?
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Old 10-28-16, 07:08 PM
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tires should be treated like bikes. if you think you need another bike or tire, then buy another bike or tire
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Old 10-29-16, 12:20 PM
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consider a fat-bike cruiser , go big .. 4" wide tires on super wide rims..

Sun bikes [example] Sun - BAJA CRUZ
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Old 10-29-16, 02:11 PM
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There is no way anyone should get a fat bike just to ride on pavement, that is just bad advice.
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