nenn

long story short

THERE IS TOO MUCH INFORMATION OUT THERE!!!!

i cant sort it all out, i dont know where to go for parts, dont know what i need to replace, i know squat.

show me a laptop and ill spout out its specs and tune it up just right, a bike, im lost.

i bought a schwinn varsity '78 last week and i love it, but its got all stock parts (AFAIK) and the tire is literally falling apart, the sides are just falling off. it rides fine, did about 5 miles yesterday but i want to get a new set of tires and probably just use the tubes till they pop (unless someone warns me different), but i dont know where to start.

i found these https://cgi.ebay.com/27-x-1-1-4-black...0|293:1|294:50

which i would gather is cheap, i guess i want to make this a beater bike, its my first but i also want it to be special, ya know?


if people want ill take pictures and you can judge for yourselves.

Thanks

Doohickie

NOS tires in that ad are probably OLD as the hills and probably worn.

Just go to a local bike shop. Get a 27 x 1-1/4 tire or two. They are fairly common. If you can't get them locally, order them online at somewhere like Niagara Cycle. These are probably closest to what came on the bike. Panaracers are nice, but they run a little big. If you get them, I recommend getting 27 x 1-1/8 size, especially if your bike has fenders.

Make sure you post up pics of your bike here.

politicalgeek

Have your tried Harris? They have a decent listing of 27" tires.

nenn

thanks ill probably get them online, id gather theyre cheaper and i have to try and study for my last exam of the year, so even looking stuff up isnt the best idea right now

kbpfister

try the pasela panaracer tour guard, Nashbar usually has a pretty good price

great tires have vintage looking gum sidewalls

miamijim

Stay with the wider 1-1/4 tire. Older bikes like the Schwinn have very wide rims that look goofy with smaller 1-1/8 tires.

Esteban32696

+1 for Niagara. I would suggest going ahead & getting new tubes & rim strips as well. Might as well do the job right & avoid problems later. Do a search here, & read articles on installing & seating the tire correctly. You need " GOOD brake pads " on those wheels. If your cables are old & frayed, order those & replace too.

bbattle

Performancebike.com has 27" tires, even 27 x 1".

m750rider

Bike Tires Direct has lots to choose from and good prices

https://www.biketiresdirect.com

I bought Continental Gator Skins from them - great tire

RickB.

+2 for Niagara Cycle Works

https://www.niagaracycle.com/index.ph...er_id=&sort=3a

I use the Panaracer Pasela Tourguard on my '86 Univega and like them a lot.

cycleheimer

Niagara Cycle Works...are those low prices for real? Do they have good customer service, and are they reliable?

Road Fan

Older Schwinns had special rims (as original and as dealer-supplied parts) that required Schwinn tires. That's an important question, because they didn't "accept" non-Schwinn tires very well. I can't say if in 1978 they were still using that design, but it's kind of important to check that out.

Little Darwin

Didn't that apply only to 26" tires? I have not heard of any issues on 27" tires...

Their 26" tires were odd-ball sizes. For example, their 26 x 1 & 3/8 was not the same as every one else's 26 x 1 & 3/8 . Even those can be differentiated by looking at the ISO size.

Doohickie

I ordered some stuff from there recently. It was delivered to Texas in about a week using the cheapest shipping (non-priority US Mail I think). To keep the prices low, they are maybe a little slower than some of the other places, probably by running with a minimal staff. Check by email to make sure your stuff is in stock to avoid any glitches.

I have a couple of Schwinns with 27 inch tires, one from the 70s and one from the 80s. Both have steel rims (i.e., the old Schwinn stuff) and both are okay with normal 27 x 1-1/4 tires. My LBS said they have issues with some Schwinns accepting tires and even said they switched the exact 27 inch tires they stock to get one that is more Schwinn-friendly. That said, I have one of their old tires on my 73 Varsity with no problems.

When mounting all my bike tires, I've gotten into the habit of kneading the tire after it is on the rim but before I put the air in to to convince myself it is seated evenly around the whole circumference of the tire. I had had problems with bulges and stuff but since I've started doing that my tires are seating better.

bikemeister

for Bike Tires Direct. I've bought from them - good prices, great service, nice people to deal with.

wrk101

Yes, I buy from them regularly. They are slow, so just factor that in on your planning. I use their Chen Sen on flippers, just ordered a bunch more. Also a good place for loose ball bearings, cables, cable housings and brake lever hoods.

brianinc-ville

FWIW, I had a bad experience with the Panaracer 27 x 1 1/4s (nasty bulge, straight from the factory), but I've always been happy with the Performance store-brand tires. I recommend the Kevlar model -- they cost a bit more, but I've never had a puncture.

sunburst

I like the Schwalbe Marathons for a comfortable tire with some thread on it. I got mine (700 x 28) at Niagara. Biketiresdirect.com has them in 27".

Esteban32696

I have ordered plenty from Niagara Cyles. HUGE selection of all kinds of parts. I do get a list going before I order , to save on shipping. Always takes about 1 week to get my order.
A regular 27" fits your wheel, but seat it correctly & don't overinflate. I run about #75 of air. The odd Schwinn was the 26". These bikes need good brake pads, [ Kool Stop works good ]. Look over the bike well & make an inventory of all of it's needs & place an order. I like to ride those old Schwinns.

stringbreaker

+1 again on the Panaracer Pasela TG. I have them on three of my bikes and really like them.

robatsu

I've been pretty happy with my 27" Specialized Armadillos. They ride pretty rough, but are absolutely bulletproof.

FrenchFit 

Panaracers TGs, 1/4, with fenders. Tight fit but plush ride.

vincev

Go to your local bike shop.They are usually in the $12 a tire price range and you wont pay an extra $6 a tire shipping.Its also a good way to meet a local shop owner that could be handy down the line.

corkscrew

I like the Panaracer TG Paselas - but they do run large. The 27 x 1 1/4 ones would have required me grinding down parts of my FD to get clearance.

sciencemonster

That is mindnumbing that two no name old tires go for $26 with shipping. Incredible. You can hit a hardware store or a Walmart or KMart and get them for half that.

15 bids, too. Amazing. There is just no end to the suckers on eBay.