RiverdaleTandem

Newbie questions about our Trek T900 which has been fairly heavily modified from stock by it's previous owner. It is time to replace the tires and I would appreciate some guidance. Currently it has NOKIAN Rollspeed AWS slick tires in size 26 x 1.3 / 37-559 on Alex TA19 rims.

We use this bike exclusively for short (<30 km) urban bike roads, during fair weather, on city roads and paved cycle paths. We weigh about 340lbs and typically only have lunch and an extra sweatshirt in the panniers. We also often pull a child on an Adams Trail - A - Bike, or have a Burley trailer with cooler/fishing equipment. So you can see there is no hardcore touring going on here.

My primary concern is safety, followed by durability and cost. I am not at all concerned about getting the thinnest, lightest, tire possible to save a few grams. I'm quiet happy to having something durable and reliable even if it means a somewhat heavier tire with higher rolling resistance. Having said that the Nokians have served us well. We'd be happy with another pair but they seem a little difficult to come by here in Toronto, ON although I'll admit I've only just started looking.

Also, can I safely put a 1.25 or a 1.5 tire on this setup, as long as I stick with the 26" diameter. They seem to be a far more common width. Having said that, the Nokian AWS seems to be available in 1.3 and 2.0 sizes. Would it be crazy to go up to a 2.0 on this setup, if it even safely fits, for added stability and cornering etc.?

Thanks for any and all guidance.

mwandaw

We like the Schwalbe Marathon Racer very much.

Here is my review. Here is another link with other suggestions.

Here is a link to the Schwalbe website.

We like our T900 a lot. Have fun!

ncbikers

To answer what I believe is part of your question: Your T900 started out life with the Alex TA19 rims and 26X2.0 tires, so you can go that large. We are a team of about 380 lbs and still have the original bontrager hardcase tires on our T900. Narrower tires may be faster but those tires give us a very smooth ride. I basically don't have to call out any bumps for my stoker.

hartphoto 

Just yesterday picked up a very nice used example (near perfect, in fact) example of the T900 on CL. Took it out for a spin with my 8 year old stoker last night. Very nice tandem for the $!

I just ordered some of the Michelin City tires (the ones with the reflective sides, and Protek plus puncture resistance layer) in the 26x1.85 size. Very close to the Bontager H2 with Hard Case at 26x2.0, but in a lower TPI (60 for the Bontager, 22 for the Michelin), which....if I understand correctly will be a stiffer sidewall. It may/may not be slightly narrower (due to the manufacturer's rulers).

I'm hoping it's a bit stiffer overall, and a bit less rolling resistance (because of stiffness/higher PSI). Will report back next week when I get them installed and do a test ride.

The Bontager's still have plenty of life in them, but they are going to get put on our Phat Limo tandem, as it has some 26x2.25 beach tires on it....hoping to achieve a bit better performance on that bike with the smaller/lighter Bontager's...

Looked at the Schwalbe's....nice....but a bit spendy for what we are looking for. Maybe once we start doing some multiple day rides...

RiverdaleTandem

Well, I'm back after an untended year of riding off, and I needed a tire ASAP to use the bike this weekend. Bought a cheapie Kenda 26x 1-3/8 which I figured I would throw on, use for a few weeks while I tracked down a decent replacement, then could use the Kenda as an emergency spare.

I went to install the Kenda and it is WAY too big, diameter wise. Or is it.....I measured it and it is close to 26" so I measured the Nokian which is actually 25" diameter!? The difference is enough that it doesn't fit (obviously) but I could probably install the Kenda OVER TOP of the Nokian.

So what's going on here? Initially I was ready to write it off to the cheapie Kenda and poor manufacturing, but as I said, the Kenda seems more "correct" than the existing Nokian.

As an aside, I was hoping to give the Tioga 26 x 1.5 City Slicker a try from Mountain Equipment Co-Op but they seem to be out of stock country wide.

ksisler

The outside diameter is not critical. The inside measure is.

So mount the tire on the rim and inflate it a bit. If the tire inflates all is well. Otherwise, your rims are not 26 inch.

hup

Check out this article on tire sizes

Tire Sizing Systems

The Kenda might have a BSD of 590 or 597. The Nokians and most everything else labelled "26 x 1.xx or 26 x 2.xx" have a BSD of 559. You most likely want to replace your tire with a 559 BSD tire. Sheldon's article will set you free

RiverdaleTandem

Ah ha, BSD that's it. CHEERS, much appreciated!

JanMM

Someday the world will be at peace and tire sizing will be simple, standardized and understandable by all peoples.

nfmisso

For 559; I have had good experience with these: Amazon.com : Kenda Kwest Commuter/Recumbent Bicycle Tire (High Pressure, Wire Beaded, 26x1.5) : Bike Tires : Sports & Outdoors

they roll nice, and are tough. The are firm riding.

Of T50 has 622 rims and we currently are using Schwalbe Marathon tires, which are not as fast as the Kenda K193 we had previously - both 37-622.

"26inch" tires may have a BSD of 550, 571, 584, 590 or 597.

To make things more confusing; 27.5 inch are 584, aka 650B or 650b. 27 inch are 630. 28 inch, aka 29 inch, aka 700c are 622.

Kenda makes some vary nice tires, I have them on several of my bikes; in 559, 590, 622 and 630 mm BSD.

WheelsNT

There is a Kenda Kwest Tandem tire in 26x1.5 that takes up to 100 psi. People often use them on tandems, triplets, quads, etc. when there is a heavier load. The sidewalls are a little thicker than normal half-bike tires, which makes a heavier bike handle better. Also, the higher psi rating gives more peace of mind vs overinflating regular tires beyond their rated pressure to compensate for the heavier load. My go-to places to get them seem to be out at the moment, but you can probably scare some up if you look -- or maybe others here know where there is stock.