Neighbor gave me a Raleigh Technium 480 bike.
It is in pretty good shape except for the rotten tires.
Tires are so bad I can only make out trisport 27 x 1-1/8.
Can anyone advise me as to what tires I need and will most any tire this size work


Being 72 years old with back problems, Really not too fond of this type bike because of the ride position.
Would it be advisable to go with larger tires and more comfortable handlebars and seat?

Any tire that is 630 for the BSD is likely to work. Almost all tires labeled 27" x anything are 630 BSD. But times are changing that may not be a sure thing in the future.

You can put as wide a tire as will fit between the chainstays, forks, brake calipers or any other place that it might rub. Depending on the internal width of the rims it might be advisable to not go too wide. But the old rules of thumb for tire width don't apply to many of the newer tires today.

A good selection of 27" tires can be hard to find at local bike shops or even discount big box stores as 27" tires are not put on new bikes. But for leisurely riding they are more than adequate. If you can pump out and maintain 20mph plus, you probably need to look for quality tires online.

Correct, any tire labeled 27 x 1 1/8 or 27 x 1 1/4, or even 27 x 1 3/8, should fit your wheels. Note that these number are expressed as fractions, not decimals. It is very unlikely you'll encounter tires expressed as 27 plus a decimal, but such tires do exist, and will not fit.

27 x 1 1/4 is the most common and that's probably what you want, but I suppose there's a chance the fatter tire won't fit into your bike frame. It's worth checking how much clearance your existing tires give you.

27 by 1 and 1/4 is what you want. Amazon is your best bet but I got a pair at REI.

Yes, go ahead and change the bars. You want (I think) some North Road bars.

p.s. We want a picture of your new bike.

A Technium 480 has some tight clearences. Its a very nice bke. This is a late 80's bike, when bikes were equipped with very narrow rims and tires. I would go with a Panaracer Pasela 27x1".

Honestly, you may be better off just finding another home for it.

Agree, pass it on. The Technium 480 is all aluminum and will have a harsh ride compared to a steel framed bike. You will feel every bump and could even aggravate your back problem. Don