20 inch wheel
 

20 inch wheels, what's the difference between 406 and 491, 591 or whatever it is, I have a zizzo liberte and thinking about the switch e kit and that was asked, I thought 20 inch was all the info I needed. Apparently not. Any help would be appreciated.

Start here:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

Look for the ISO or ETRTO sizing numbers on your tire sidewall. If it's a 20X1.5, it's most likely ISO 406

406 is the tire's bead seat diameter, or the inside of the tire's edge and the location in the rim that the tire bead sits at, and is what the International Standards Org has agreed to be the definitive method. It is a measurement, not a label which is what "20" is. For that same rim (the 406 sized one) tires of different widths will have different rolling diameters (as a wider tire casing will also be a taller one). More and more tire and rim manufactures are using the ISO dimension as it eliminates confusion for those who are suppose to represent the bike industry (like your LBS or on line retailers).

Sheldon Brown's website has a good explanation of the different labeled tire sizes and their actual rim fit (that ISO dimension). The history of tire sizing involved decades of different countries manufacturers making tires for their home markets then as the bike brands became more world wide and used off shore sourced components and exported their bikes the many different bead/rim fits became a hinderance to commerce. In the 1970s (aprox) manufactures began to talk about this and first the tire/rim fits were measured in a specific way (ETRTO) then later under the ISO's umbrella which added bead and rim interface shape specs too.

All this is very important to get right if the bike is using rim brakes. To make sure the replacement wheel/rim still mates with the brake pads. But if one is running a hub brake (or no brake...) than the rim's placement WRT the frame is only a concern if a mounted tire, of the wanted width/height, contacted the frame/fork. The "safest" way to only buy once is to get the same ISO speced tires/rims. If a seller can't provide this data go elsewhere. No need for you to be hassled by your getting wrong parts because the seller didn't want to be forthcoming. Andy

Your tires should be marked with the size. The Swytch kit comes with a complete wheel so it's important that you get the same size as the original. Most of the folders come with 406 wheels but I've seen some 451s.

I have a Zizzo Liberte and just bought new wheels so I learned a lot about 20” wheels.

The Liberte comes with 20” 406 wheels, 74mm wide hubs front and 130mm wide back hub. The frame can fit 451 wheels which have a larger diameter and circumference but then you would need to change your brake calipers or buy adapters.

If you buy a 406 74mm front Swytch wheel it’ll be a simple swap and you can reuse your existing front tire and may not even have to adjust your brake pads much. 20” 406 tires are also easier to find and have wider sizes than 451tires.

thanks for the info, just curious, what size tire are you using now, I'm thinking of at the very least going to 1.75

I would bet the farm on 1.5" OEM. A 406 wheel can safely be assumed to work with a 1.5" tire (and 451 with 1.1") with 1.75 (at most) possible without fenders.

I went the opposite as your plans. I went with Schwalbe One 20 x 1.1” tires. I’ll ride the Litepro aero wheels on the bike trails and known city streets. I’ll swap to the stock wheels and 1.5” tires when taking the bike on trips. I don’t ride on dirt trails but if I did I would get different tires on the stock wheels.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dbac454da.jpeg
New Litepro Aero S42 406 wheels with 13.2mm/19mm rim width 40mm profile wheels and Schwalbe One 406 20” x 1.1” tires that measure 26mm wide on these rims.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...da79bc43b.jpeg
Stock wheel with 1.5” tire vs. 1.1” tire.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dfba83416.jpeg
The new tires are lower profile and narrower than the stock. The brake pads didn’t need adjusting. The new rims are narrower so I adjusted the brake lever barrel adjuster to remove some slack.

Also FYI Tern makes excellent folding bikes that are already equipped with a nice reliable Bosch system with excellent support throughout. The Tern Vektron is the one for folding but the S10 variant would be the ideal one, decent set of Deore 10 speed gears, Bosch Performance Line motor and Magura Brakes with wider tires.

very nice, interesting alternative, can I ask how much this conversion cost, weight savings, and does it make the bike easier to ride ? Where did u get the wheels? I put an 8 speed trigger shifter on mine with moustache bars and really like that setup.

I think I saved about 2 lbs from swapping to the new wheels and the Brooks carbon rail C13 saddle. I installed ultra lightweight 25g Ridenow TPU inner tubes which were much lighter than the butyl tubes weighing 100-125g or so.

I bought the wheels from Aliexpress during their 11/11 Singles Day sale. The wheels were $87 shipped, but to get the free shipping I had to spend $200 otherwise the shipping was $100. I actually bought 2 sets of wheels and will sell one.

The bike feels quicker on the acceleration and easier on climbs, but it’s a harsher ride with the lower profile and narrower tires pumped up to 100-110 psi. It also feels twitchier.

I plan on riding the Litepro wheels locally on group rides with friends on familiar roads and bike paths. I’ll ride the stock wheels when it’s wet, or when riding on unfamiliar roads when I travel.

Do you have a picture of your Moustache bar? I’m thinking of installing that style. Where did you put the brake levers?
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bd71d9654.jpeg
The new wheels, tires and tubes were much lighter than the stock. Maybe 1-1/2 lbs lighter for the pair vs. the stock. I weighed everything but lost my notes. I’ll re-weigh everything in the future when I have time.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...32d27a175.jpeg
25g ultralight inner tube.