tires & wheels
 

okay so if my rims say 27 X 1-1/4 I would need 27 x 1-1/4 tires right?

Yup, you could also use 27 X 1-1/8 tires. What you can't use is 700 tires, although tubes for 700 tires work with 27" tires.

then what is happening here...do I need to just force it in? the rims say 27-1-1/4 and so do the tires

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/7...g0019va.th.jpg
http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/1...g0021nl.th.jpg

OK, first off I see that you don't have the tire label centered over the the valve stem. It it ultra-important that the label be centered over the valve stem, because if it isn't, you're advertising to the world that you're a total bike noob.

Seriously, this is how to properly mount a tire.

1) Install one bead over the the rim by working the tire bead around the rim with your fingers.

2) Inflate the tube just enough so it starts to take shape, and install the tube.

3) Once you've got the tube in, and it's seated properly without any kinks, work the other tire bead around the rim with your fingers. If it won't go on, let the air out of the tube -- I remove the valve core entirely if this is the case. If it still won't go on with finger pressure, use a tire lever, and be careful not to pinch the tube. DO NOT USE ANY SHARP METAL TOOL, LIKE A SCREWDRIVER.

4) After you have both beads over the rim, inflate to about half pressure and then deflate. Check to see that all is well and continue to inflate to max pressure.

BTW, your toes are driving me crazy. Yes, I am a pervert.

I got the tires in with a little bit of sweat:)

Just press the bead in little by little with your fingers. Some tire-rim combos are tough, but I haven't had any that were impossible to do by hand.

Also, the label should be centered on the stem on the drive-side of both wheels. This way the tire and the tube will be indexed to the rim, very important when analyzing flats.

Al