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Schwinn Continental Tires: Anyone find a tire that will fit properly?

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Schwinn Continental Tires: Anyone find a tire that will fit properly?

Old 03-20-17, 06:20 PM
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Schwinn Continental Tires: Anyone find a tire that will fit properly?

Hello,

I've searched the forums and all across the web for a couple of days and can't find a definitive answer on what tire will fit the old 27 inch wheel Schwinn Continentals from the 70s. My experience is that a 630-32 / 27 x 1 1/4 will NOT fit, no matter how many times I've tried. I've also had multiple bike shops in multiple states try to fit the 630-32 / 27 1 1/4 tires on my Continental, and they've been unsuccessful as well.

I'd prefer to keep the bike original, but I'm ready to give up and go to 700 wheels. Before I do, has anyone found a tire that will fit exactly right?

Thanks,
Ron
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Old 03-20-17, 07:41 PM
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First off, welcome to the forums, plenty of sharp, knowledgeable folks here so getting an answer to your question should be easy. Glad to have you here.

Several of the vintage Schwinn folks mention the Pasela Panaracer as a good choice for the Varsinental wheels. Switching to an aluminum rim would give you much better braking, just something to think about. There has been a couple of threads about the alloy rims, in 700 and 27" variants, the closest resemble the shiny chrome steel Schwinn rims of the past. Try to find one of those for some better recommendations in tires also.

Bill
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Old 03-20-17, 07:45 PM
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I get the "original equipment" thing, but stock Varsinental rims provide wretched braking, acceleration, and ride quality. When I (briefly) owned a Varsity, I switched to 27" aluminum rims and KoolStop brake pads and ditched the pie plate, which then gave me room for a 6-speed freewheel.
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Old 03-20-17, 07:47 PM
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What problems are you having mounting the tires, and which tires have you tried? Keep in mind, they are hookless rims, so if you try to put 100+ psi in them, you'll blow of almost any tire.


Originally Posted by ronray43
Hello,

I've searched the forums and all across the web for a couple of days and can't find a definitive answer on what tire will fit the old 27 inch wheel Schwinn Continentals from the 70s. My experience is that a 630-32 / 27 x 1 1/4 will NOT fit, no matter how many times I've tried. I've also had multiple bike shops in multiple states try to fit the 630-32 / 27 1 1/4 tires on my Continental, and they've been unsuccessful as well.

I'd prefer to keep the bike original, but I'm ready to give up and go to 700 wheels. Before I do, has anyone found a tire that will fit exactly right?

Thanks,
Ron
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Old 03-20-17, 08:18 PM
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CD, Brand name on the current tires is Hwa Fong (old and dry rotted now), but this is the third brand I've tried over the years. All of the tires were 630-32 / 27 x 1 1/4. The issue has always been that we (either me or the bike shop) could not get the bead to fully sit around the entire tire--there was always a low spot where the tire bead wouldn't come up to the slot where the rim bead sits. I seem to remember one shop tried the 100+ pressure, but even that didn't get the bead to come up. Never had a problem with the Schwinn brand tires when they were in business in the 70s, but have had virtually no luck with tires since then. I've read in several places where the Schwinn sizes were not standard, which might be the problem.

Thanks for replying,
Ron
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Old 03-20-17, 09:05 PM
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I'm far from an expert on old Schwinns, but I'm pretty sure the varsity came with standard 27" (630mm) rims. Most of the proprietary Schwinn rims were 26" and smaller, on cruisers and such. I guess it's possible your particular rims are just oversize. (I don't think there were any sizes bigger than 630mm in common use). Either way, it's a good opportunity to look for some aluminum rims for improved braking performance.
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Old 03-20-17, 09:07 PM
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Did you try putting lubricant on the bead? I use soapy water.
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Old 03-20-17, 09:23 PM
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Yep, did the soapy water thing as well. I think you guys and those who wrote about refurbishing the 70s Schwinns have sold me . . . 700 rims/wheels it is . . . and I'll never have to worry about fitting a tire again! Thanks for your time and comments!
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Old 03-21-17, 05:17 AM
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Schwinn made their own wheels for years. Tire marked as "S6" "S7" etc. As said, steel rims aren't so pleasant a ride. Brakes in wet weather are better with alloy rims. They had a 24" & 27" diameter rim, that was their own size. Harris Bikes In Newton Mass did sell the Schwinn "S" size tires.
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Old 03-21-17, 05:25 AM
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Originally Posted by ronray43
Yep, did the soapy water thing as well. I think you guys and those who wrote about refurbishing the 70s Schwinns have sold me . . . 700 rims/wheels it is . . . and I'll never have to worry about fitting a tire again! Thanks for your time and comments!
Good choice, more tire choices, and wheel offerings, with the 700s, of course you'll get better braking as said above, especially in the wet weather conditions. Be sure to check the brake pads position also, with the slightly smaller diameter or the rims you'll need to bring them to the correct placement.

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Old 03-21-17, 12:29 PM
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Sun makes a CR-18 in a 27" x 1 1/4", which works nicely with the brakes and does not draw attention to itself. I used a set to replace a set of chromes Schwinn rims on a Super Sport recently (no idea what they were doing on a Super Sport which should have had alloy parts...).
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Old 03-21-17, 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Salubrious
Sun makes a CR-18 in a 27" x 1 1/4", which works nicely with the brakes and does not draw attention to itself. I used a set to replace a set of chromes Schwinn rims on a Super Sport recently (no idea what they were doing on a Super Sport which should have had alloy parts...).
The CR18 is a good basic rim, available in a wide range of sizes.

The Velocity Dyad is a bit stronger, a bit lighter, two to three times the cost, but MUCH easier to build because of better tolerance control of axial and radial run-out.
Velocity Wheels - Hand Made in USA
Given the value I put on my labor for wheel building, I go with Velocity Dyad, NoBS and Aeroheat rims when they offered in the size I need. For ETRTO 590mm (aka 650a), I use Sun CR18.
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Old 03-21-17, 01:52 PM
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The reason I recommended the Sun was that the rim is fairly innocuous. The Velocity will draw attention to itself, and is a more expensive part that seems unlikely to find its way on to a Continental. But it is a nice rim!
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Old 03-21-17, 02:18 PM
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I have owned a Continental in the past and always used Kenda 27 x 1 1/4 tires. I never had a problem with fit. Are they too tight or too loose?
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Old 03-21-17, 04:58 PM
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Kenda 27 1/4 work great on this continental.
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Old 03-21-17, 06:11 PM
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Unless you want new rims, you don't have to give up on finding 27 X 1 1/4" tires that fit. There is probably some model-to-model variation. The Kenda suggestion makes sense to me, but don't stop there.

To help whatever tire fit well, consider these steps:

Make sure the mounting surface of the rim is free of rust.

Use baby powder (talcum powder) inside the tire and shake the tube in a bag with baby powder.

Get the tire over one side of the rim and limply inflate the tube enough so it won't bunch up. Get the other side of the tire over the rim. Go around squeezing the tire/tube and slide it a bit so the valve stem is straight, then push the stem in a bit and start to inflate the tire.

If the tire is not creeping too high off either side of the rim, keep inflating and watching all around. Often one side of the tire has a section that is not keeping up with the rest of the tire in rising up to its final position. If it's just that one section, keep adding pressure. On steel wheels 70-80 PSI, even temporarily more, is probably safe if the rest of the tire is seated OK.

If only that one section is staying too low on the rim, try deflating then massaging the sidewalls all around, then reinflate cautiously. If that same section is not rising into position, deflate somewhat. Between the tire and rim in that one area, try a bit of soap and water, or some spit if you and any audience are not squeamish, then inflate fully or even beyond. The problem section may well pop into position.

I have not used them, but I see a company called Bike Tires Direct. Whomever you buy tires from, explain your problem, ask for their recommendations, and find out in advance if you can return them undamaged if they don't fit.
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Old 03-21-17, 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by ronray43
Before I do, has anyone found a tire that will fit exactly right?
When in the history of '70's Schwinn Continentals has a decent quality 27 X 1 1/4 tire Ever not " fit exactly right"?

Is there a disturbance in the Fit-Force now that once kept a simple Puff or exalted LeTour from simply rolling on the chromed rim with little resistance and seating properly? (Other than rust inside the rim bed or sheer ineptitude?)

Paselas, as previously mentioned, are produced by the same corporate entity that produced the high quality "Schwinn Approved" rubber "back when". Try them after making sure that rust is not compromising your rims. Or:

You can't make a Silk Purse out of a Sow's Ear but converting to Alloy rims will improve braking and marginal "performance" and give an excuse for being able to fit the new rubber.

-Bandera
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Old 03-21-17, 08:09 PM
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Originally Posted by ronray43
Hello,

I've searched the forums and all across the web for a couple of days and can't find a definitive answer on what tire will fit the old 27 inch wheel Schwinn Continentals from the 70s. My experience is that a 630-32 / 27 x 1 1/4 will NOT fit, no matter how many times I've tried. I've also had multiple bike shops in multiple states try to fit the 630-32 / 27 1 1/4 tires on my Continental, and they've been unsuccessful as well.

I'd prefer to keep the bike original, but I'm ready to give up and go to 700 wheels. Before I do, has anyone found a tire that will fit exactly right?

Thanks,
Ron
Originally Posted by ronray43
CD, Brand name on the current tires is Hwa Fong (old and dry rotted now), but this is the third brand I've tried over the years. All of the tires were 630-32 / 27 x 1 1/4. The issue has always been that we (either me or the bike shop) could not get the bead to fully sit around the entire tire--there was always a low spot where the tire bead wouldn't come up to the slot where the rim bead sits. I seem to remember one shop tried the 100+ pressure, but even that didn't get the bead to come up. Never had a problem with the Schwinn brand tires when they were in business in the 70s, but have had virtually no luck with tires since then. I've read in several places where the Schwinn sizes were not standard, which might be the problem.

Thanks for replying,
Ron
...my own impression, on reading your posts, is that maybe you are the victim of crappy 27" tyre syndrome. Mostly, the ones you find in that size locally are low end junk, and it's not unusual to have them a little difficult to mount evenly, no matter your skill level. They're just not made to the same standards as a better bike tyre.

As stated already elsewhere, Pasela's ought to fit your rims, if keeping the thing original is important to you.

But you'll never find them for sale in a local bike shop. So order them from Bike Tires Direct, or some other internet source. Or change out your rims if you want. The originals are nothing to write home about.
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Old 03-26-17, 07:06 PM
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Those Kenda's look great! I looked for some Pasela's also, but several sources had them on back order. So, since I'm old and decrepid, I'm gonna go the easy way out and put on some new 700 wheels! Thanks for all your suggestions. Will certainly come here if I need help getting the Continental back on the road!
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Old 03-26-17, 08:04 PM
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Good move to upgrade to 700 C wheels! I did that to a Schwinn Super Sport I owned.

Difference is only about 4" in brake reach, really insignificant and you get a wide variety of good tire choices.

700 C is now the de facto road standard. I wouldn't waste time tracking down 630 mm tires that may or not fit.
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