walksomemore

I have an old Schwinn Traveler 12-speed that I ride several times a week - somewhere between 15-25 miles, with some weekenders up to 35-40 miles. My average pace on this beast is about 16-18 mph, with tops of 21 or so on a longer ride. I want to do more, and I'd like to maybe get a little more speed without working at it ...

So anyway, when I redid the bike I put some budget Kenda 27 X 1 1/4 tires on , and installed some jagwire pro's (shifts silky smooth now!!), and it is a very smooth, old-school-steel ride - the Kendas are soft, cushy, and - well, kind slow........ and I'm wondering if it would be worth it to go with some Panaracer 1 1/8 or even 1" tires.

1. Would 1" tires work with my Schwinn aluminum rims? I read the Sheldon article about inside width as a ratio to tire size, and haven't taken my current tires off to measure yet. I am a aware that high-pressure tires sometimes play with those older aluminum rims.
2. Would it be better to go with the 1 1/8", or will my rims hold the 1" (25c) tires okay (again, would the additional pressure affect my rims)?
3. Or, should I leave well enough alone? I like riding long distances, but am trying to avoid a high-dollar new bike.

BTW, my Hybrid/Trekking/Frankenbike has 700 by 28 Gatorskins right now and it is pretty fast for what it is (like, my MA is over 15 with rack, trunk bag, trekking bars, dble wrap, etc, etc and no real load).
I love those Gatorskins but cannot seem to find 'em in 28c or 25c for 27" rims.

Opinions? Recommendations?

Thanks!

.....also posted in Vintage forum......

lostarchitect 

The Kendas are slow because they are crummy tires, not because of their width. I use Paselas on 27" wheels, and I use the widest ones I can fit. Properly inflated, I find the wider tires to be faster over city streets because they absorb uneven pavement.

That said:
1. Need to know rim size, but probably it would be OK.
2. I would always chose the wider of the options.
3. I would leave well enough alone, or consider switching to a Pasela.

Wilfred Laurier

no need to go wider
but a nicer tire
with a thinner casing
would be a world of difference

narrower tires require higher pressure
and so you lose comfort and control
and on less than glassy smooth roads
you can lose some forward momentum

32mm or
27x1-1/4 is a sweet spot
very light
but you don't have to inflate them rock hard

choteau

Paselas with Tourguard 27 x 1 1/4 running at 75psi front and 95psi rear. They roll ALOT faster than the Kendas I ran before (tried 100 psi and still slow). Tim

Little Darwin

It should be noted that some Kenda tires are fine... As with many mass produced tires, I avoid the lower end tires when I can.

Of the few manufacturers that are still making tires for 27", many have decided to just manufacture their lower end tires in that size...

I will throw in my vote for the Paselas, they ride well, and perform acceptably for me... although I tend to ride slower than you, for a variety of reasons, none of the reasons are my tires.

icepick_trotsky 

I know that Continental makes Gatorskins in 27", but they're hard to find. biketiresdirect.com is out of stock of them.

walksomemore

Hey, thanks all for the advice. I think I'm gonna order those Paselas - we'll see if that does the trick. I like the idea of a 95 psi rear and 75 front, at least to start.

But does anybody know anything about the Vittoria Zaffirro tires?

Pretty cheap, and very highly rated (whatever THAT means on the internet...) .. I'd appreciate opinions before I order....

sc

clengman

I have Serfas Secas on my old Schwinn. I like them better than the Kenda gumwalls that were on the bike when I bought it. They're quieter, corner better, ride better. Are they faster? I don't know, not significantly I guess.

wedgeSG

Just put some Continental Ultra Sports on some alloy 27's. Pretty light and smooth. They are available in both 1-1/4 and 1-1/8 at 370 and 380 grams respectively. About $25 per at Bike Tires Direct.

garage sale GT

I'd get Paselas with the kevlar bead for low rolling resistance and light weight. They are also available with flat protection. The light weight will contribute to a fast feel while accelerating. They have a skinwall construction and might not prove too durable if you brush up against curbs or roll through gravel but if you're careful not to cut the sidewalls they are all right.

I have tried a set of Zaffiros and they were all right but they are a 27tpi entry level tire. On a different set of Vittorias I did not find the 3D compound to be too cut resistant.

walksomemore

Thanks! That's all I need....

Cheers All!

garage sale GT

Zaffiros will roll a little easier than a vintage style 27" tire with the single rib down the middle because the rubber on the tread is thinner.