dydst

Hello all,

I ride a Giant Cypress Dx with 26? Inch wheels, and 700c x 38 (I think?) tires. Recently someone gave me a studded tire that they weren’t using. The studded tire is thinner (again, 700c X 35 – I think) than the stock tires on my bike, but I checked Sheldon Brown’s website, and it seemed like I could use it on my wheel.

After I put the tire on (with a smaller tube than I usually use, but one that fits the tire) and rode, the bike rode very roughly, and the tire was moving very unevenly with each revolution. I took the wheel off, deflated the tube, removed the tire, and put it back on very carefully. When I put the tire on the second time, I was very careful to make sure the tube didn’t get in the way. When I rode again, the tire still “wobbled”, although not to the degree it was at first (It's definitely the tire that's wobbling -- not the wheel).

I’ve replaced a number of flats with my stock tires, and never had this kind of a problem. The tires always rolled “true” after I changed the flat.

So what am I doing wrong/different in this situation? Any replies would be appreciated!

splytz1

If the wheels are 26" wheels, a 700c tire will not work. Do not ride this bike until you have correctly sized tires.

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

waterrockets 

To the uninitiated, this is a confusing statement. A 26" wheel is not 26 inches in diameter -- that's the approximate diameter of the tire when mounted and inflated.

So, don't measure your wheel, go by your tire sidewalls. Your bike came with 700c tires, not 26" (which is MTB size). You can probably go down to 700x28c or even 700x25c, so these studded tires should work fine.

tellyho

Another thing to do is to overinflate the tube once you've installed the tire to make sure the bead of the tire is seated all the way around. Let's say your tire is rated 80 psi; pump it up to 100 and then let air out back down to 80. You may hear the pop of the bead seating itself during this process. I suspect yours wasn't fully seated.

Studded tires DO ride more roughly than regular ones, too.

Bill Kapaun

Turn the bike upside down and slowly spin the wheel.
LOOK at the bead seating area in area that wobbles. Something should be obvious, probably the bead not fully seated. Examine it closey to confirm.
If it's not the bead, the tire itself may be bad. Was it new?

Sometimes a new tire can be a bit difficult to get installed properly.
What I do is:

Add just a bit of air pressure (AP).
Using my thumb and forefinger, squeeze the 2 beads toward each other. Do this every couple inches around the entire bead of the tire. Add a LITTLE more AP. Repeat.......

If you still have problems with the bead seating, wipe a little liquid dish soap on the problem areas and try again.

dydst

yes, yes, yes, you're right -- I have 700c wheels. Sorry -- wheel/tire sizing is confusing to me! Just got home -- I'm gonna try these tricks.

Thanks guys!