brianinc-ville

I recently bought these tires from an Amazon seller. They're listed as "SCHWALBE 650STD HS159 Kevlar Guard Grey Wall Wired Commuter Tire, 26 x 1 3/8-Inch," with no ISO/ETRTO number, so I bought them for an English 3-speed, thinking they'd be 590mm ISO (a.k.a. 650A). But they're not -- the markings on the tire wall clearly say "37-584 26 x 1 1/2 x 1 3/8."

So I was pretty annoyed at the seller, until I noticed that the cardboard label on the tire, which appears to have come from the factory, leaves out the "1 1/2" entirely -- it just says "37-584 26 x 1 3/8." Leaving out the ISO number is the seller's fault, but I can see how, if they're not vintage bike nerds, they'd just copy down what Schwalbe put on the label that looks like a tire size. That's Schwalbe's fault. So, 3-speed owners beware: don't buy a tire online unless you get an ISO/ETRTO number.

bulldog1935

Yeah, that's a strange way to mark a 650b tire.
You can get the 650a tires you're looking for from Grand Bois in Japan - the cheaper ones are under $17 + shipping
The really good ones are under $40.

Insidious C. 

I've made the A/B mistake myself even though I new better. On two other occasions I benefited from others A/B mistake.

And here is an example of incorrect factory marking right on the sidewall. These are actually 559s, not A or B. Certainly not 622.

Insidious C. 

I was surprised to find that Schwalbe makes a Marathon Plus in 42-590. For a 650A that's just huge (and very heavy). I fit a pair on my daughter's bike.

brianinc-ville

Interesting. I can't read Japanese and don't quite trust Google Translate -- am I correct that those tires include no flat protection? I'm looking for Kevlar, here.

bulldog1935

I couldn't tell you for sure - they made by Panaracer and have a loyal following in all 3 rim sizes.
They're the tires that Compass cycles was selling before he developed his own casing and compounds with Panaracer.

oh, I was looking at extra-light tubes at $17 - looks like they only offer one tire the Renard in 650A.
Big rubber on those tires. I actually get 70% fewer flats on my extra-light Compass tires running at low pressures than my buddy gets on his Marathons.

Might search also for Col d'Vie - here you go, 3 sources.

desconhecido 

Just checked Amazon and I see the tires advertised with several single star reviews about the size. Too bad because that's a nice price. The Marathon Plus in 650A is advertised, too, but it's $65 (ouch). I bought a pair of those about 5 years ago for much less. They are long lasting and tough tires. Lots of people like the Delta Cruisers in 650A and they appear to be reasonably priced.