Zipster90

As some of you may have read recently, I purchased a 1984 Schwinn World Tourist last week. It's been great, but I know that the original tires probably need to be changed quickly.

Problem is, I didn't realize how hard it is to find a good 27" tire. The current size of the tires on the bike now are 27" x 1 3/8". Can I use tires that have a different width? Also, are there any particular tires anyone would recommend for commuting on city streets and pea-gravel-on-concrete sidewalks? Help is much appreciated. Thanks!

redbarnlane

I have a bike with 27" wheels, and use 27 x 1 1/4 Continental Ultra gator skins. Only 1/8" narrower than your tires. They're good for commuting because they're very puncture resistant. Google them to find a good price online.

Mike

Rustyoldbikes

Every good bike shop carries 27 inch tires, or can get them in a few days from a supplier. Continental, Panaracer and Bontrager all have 27 inch tires of very high quality. The wider the tire, the better the shock absorption, the better the cornering, and the better it can handle dirt, gravel, and rough roads. If you buy the widest model of 27 inch tire, you will be well prepared for even the worst roads, plus mud and snow.

simp77

I just put a set of a pair of Serfas Seca 27" x 1 1/4" on my bike about an hour ago. I replaced the bell tires I had on and I can't believe the difference, it's like nitrous for my bike..lol... These aren't as wide as the bell tires even though they are the same size(I would imagine a 27x1 1/4 tire should work on your rims). They are a wired beaded kevlar tire and 99 percent of the reviews on them that I have read have been good. I got them at a LBS for 16.99 per tire. I'm sure someone online must sell them. Anyways, good luck and have fun riding.

Chris

wrk101

I like the Nashbar branded Prima 2 tires. I wait for a sale on them; they sometimes will be on sale for $9.99. If you are willing to spend more, Panacers are available in 27s.

Just don't expect your local shop to stock them.

Zipster90

Thanks for the tips, guys. I'll probably end up either buying those Primas off of Nashbar or heading to my LBS once the paycheck comes in.

kait

Just to double-check... the 27 x 1 1/4 do work on the World Tourist? Recently had an '85 stolen and then (freakily!) returned a week and a half later, and in the meantime, I realized I'm pretty attached to that bike and probably ought to go ahead and invest the money to clean it up a bit...

Thanks!

Caferacernoc

27 1/4 was probably the correct original size. And it certainly will fit.

kait

thanks! reading around, i found several mentions of the odd schwinn 26 x 1 3/8 being the ones to worry about... but i'm very much a newb at attempting my own bicycle maintenance, so i didn't know how much difference that 1/8" might make!

(and i do have a lovely local bike shop a mile away to call on if things don't go well, i guess... but i want to learn this stuff!)

reallen

Maybe they just returned it because the tires weren't up to snuff.

noglider 

27" tires: https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/tires/630.html

I am in love with the $20 Panaracer Pasela (not the tourguard). Inexpensive, light, and lively. An incredible tire at any price, and an incredible value at $20.

kait

thanks! gonna give these a try...

noglider 

Let me know what you think. I'm spreading the gospel.

Esteban32696

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...00_20000_50005

Zipster90

Yes, the 27 x 1 1/4 that I bought from my LBS do fit very well. However, I have now developed a small leak in my rear tire a few days ago.

noglider 

Leaks are in tubes, not tires. Patch or replace the tube, and your leak will be gone. Your tire may or may not be worthy of replacement, but not because of a leak. Even if a puncture leaves a visible rip in the tire, the rip won't leak air, because the tube is the air seal. Old tires are vulnerable to punctures and sudden ruptures, but they don't leak, since, as I said, the tube is the air seal.

garage sale GT

Make sure your bikes have hook bead rims before buying tires. I had an '82 World Tourist and it would blow the tire off the rim with normal pressure.

Many of the suggested makes of tire say they are for hook bead rims only, right on the sidewall, but you only see that after you buy the tire.

Basically, if you deflate the tire and stick your finger between tire and rim, you should feel a ridge on the inside of the rim. Most aluminum rims are like that, most steel rims are not, as a very rough generalization.


27x1-3/8s have the same bead diameter as 27x1, 27x1-1/8, and 27x1-1/4 and are interchangeable.

wrk101

+1 Tubes leak, not tires.

It is normal for tires to need some air to top them off every few days.

If they are leaking beyond that, you probably have a pinch flat. Do a search on pinch flats, its a common way to create a leak in a brand new tube.

noglider 

Speaking of hooked rims, what 27" tire is there that does not require a hooked rim? I had a heck of a time finding one that would fit the Varsity I recently fixed up, and it's a used one. I'd love to have a source of new ones. This would NOT have to be a high quality tire. It just has to be a tire.

garage sale GT

Those were from the days when Schwinns were built on Kedvale avenue. Their 26X1-3/8 was different from the standard back then.

I have an '85 and it's built for Schwinn by Giant in Taiwan. Plus you can always check your rims. The size will be stamped on them. Araya did not use unusual, proprietary sizes. Just make sure you have the hook bead.

garage sale GT

I had an '82 World Tourist with steel rims, and I ran Vittoria Zaffiros on it at 100psi by degreasing the insides of the rim. Your mileage may vary; real Schwinn rims may have more taper on the inside. Then I installed the tires without wiping down the rims with solvent, and they blew off before I even rode. It's possible though that I had damaged the rim, causing increased taper, and the solvent had nothing to do with it.

I don't know what tires to use. The bikes I had without hook bead like a UO-8 and the Schwinn just had gumwalls when I got them. I don't recall the brand. They looked like K40s, but Kendas say "High Pressure", whether or not that means to use a hook bead rim. I never put new tires on the UO-8.

My Bell Streetsters don't say anything about special rims but I haven't tried them on steel rims.

Grim

I mounted a set of Continental Ultra sports (on sale $15 each at REI last week) on my 77 Super Le Tour and didn't notice the "Hooked rims only" on the side of the tire. The Rim has a very large centering lip. Very stiff wire bead in the tire and so far no problem. I think I have them at 85PSI. Your mileage may vary.

I have a set of Michelin World Tour tires on my 84 Fuji Touring III and they ride very nice. Niagra sells them for $13.67. https://www.niagaracycle.com/index.php?cPath=131_167

If I have problems with the Conti's on the Le Tour on the non hooked rim I'll throw the Michelins on and see how they do. I plan to try out the Pasela's at some point.

Esteban32696

Another thing, I don't pump up 27" on the Schwinns over #75.

Zipster90

I understand that the leak is in the tubes, I was just speaking generally. Since it was a very slow leak I decided to give Slime a try. It's been holding just fine now.

kait

and... blowout. couldn't find anything on the paselas indicating they have to have hooked rims, but thus far i can't seem to get them to stay on the rims stably enough to keep a tire at decent pressure. (decent being around 70 psi.) finally got one looking fairly good... and a teensy little portion of the side of the tread slipped out, then a few seconds later the tube popped.

this IS my first try at changing a bike tire... should i try one more time with a new tube, or just take it down to the LBS and see if they can help? advice? thanks!