tessellahedron

What modifications can I do to make a schwinn traveler 3 usable on maintained dirt roads? It's currently just really unstable and hard to pedal. I use 27" gatorskin tires with no tread for highway riding so I suspect I would need different tires.

650b tubeless ready wheels would be cool but I'm only measuring about 35mm between the chain stays just in front of my existing tire and I'm afraid that's too narrow. All other dimensions and even the brakes look fine though.

would a wider handlebar, like from a gravel bike, help with the unstable feeling?

If I can't make the bike work on dirt and paved roads I'll probably get a second bike. I realized recently that other than the interstate, state highways, and roads in town, there is only one paved road in this county.

Eric F

I would start by checking the alignment. If things are tweaked, it likely means you're constantly fighting the bike for balance.

Velo Mule

I'm riding three 27" tire bikes on the dirt trails near me. No changes are needed. There are some spots of loose dirt/sand that I try to avoid, but if I hit them I try to pedal through.

Those bikes are a Schwinn Continental, Schwinn LeTour Luxe and a Lambert with a lugged frame. The Lambert and Continental have upright handlebars, the LeTour has dropped bars. All three bikes have fenders, which is not recommended, but I do it anyway.

Velo Mule

If you eventually get new tires, I like the Panasport Pasela's in 27" x 1-1/4' . Apparently the Sand Canyon is supposed to be a little wider at 27" x 1-3/8" but I have seen it reported here that they are close to the same width as the Pasela's.

bikemig 

Michelin protek 27 inch and a 1 and 1/4 tires run wide and measure closer to 1 and 3/8.

stevel610 

Wider handlebars would likely help. Kenda sells a 27" knobby tire I believe.

I ride Gatorskins on dry dirt crushed stone trails with no problem. Lowering the air pressure a bit might help as well.

If you are thinking of changing the wheelset, going to 700c would be easy as your brakes likely wouldn't fit a 650b.

tessellahedron

Thanks for the tire suggestions. I was also wondering if I need to lower the pressure. The pressure calculator, using a couple approximations (like 650b wheel), gives a result that seems low to me. https://silca.cc/pages/sppc-form

what pressure do you use?

tessellahedron

the only ways I can find to check alignment are to measure dropout symmetry (string trick), and adjust the rear axle correctly. Did you mean something else?

stevel610 

I weigh 245, and run 32cx700 about 80-90 psi.

tessellahedron

I think the frame is probably within tolerance. I just pulled a string over it and got 32.8mm from the seat tube on the left, and 33.5mm on the right. (I built sheldon brown's tandem plans about 15 years ago so I've done this before)

Rear wheel alignment changes every time I fix a flat but should never be that far off. I like the wheel nice and centered.

Classtime 

These tires are cool for mostly gravel. I didn’t like them for faster road rides.
https://www.swifttire.com/

if your bike is a decent rider on good roads,it will also do fine on dirt roads. Why is it hard to pedal? Do the tires loose traction?

branko_76 

That's a good start but are the wheels aligned? The main reason to do an alignment is to insure that both wheels track in the same plane, this is much more difficult to assess.

Kabuki12

I have them on my Mondia and when inflated they measure 1.390” . They go through most dirt conditions well and not bad on the road. I plan on taking this bike up to Arches in three weeks . We will be camping in our motor home and visiting Sedona and Monument parks as well. It is the only bike I have that can run a tire that wide so we’ll see. I don’t have a mountain bike and I don’t plan on any serious off road stuff, just mild trail riding on dirt roads.

markk900

tessellahedron stated he measures 35mm, so 27x1 3/8 is cutting it too close IMO (though in practice it might work OK). Same with the Michelins Kabuki12 mentioned - 1.390 would be too wide I think. I have used my bikes with Paselas on gravel without incident but I suspect it would be good to go with their "PT" versions to enhance puncture protection.

Eric F

Correct. Both wheels aligned not just in tracking but also both vertical. If the front end is slightly twisted in relation to the rear, you might consider looking for another frame.

bamboobike4

The title of this thread is my adolescence.

tessellahedron

my new frame alignment tools. They may still need some improvements but I'm gonna test them. Patch kit for size, everything else in that picture I found on the side of the road amongst many other things. Sometimes half my ride is stopping to pick crap up.

Someone's notebook of passwords was on the side of the highway.

zandoval 

I ride loose light gravel and torn up asphalt as well as regular paved roads. I have used these for years. Continental Ride Tour 27 1-1/4. For me the Continental Ride Tour tiers are proven.

I also use Kenda 184 27 1-3/8 on my Peu Carbolite that's set up for gravel. They track well and appear to be holding up too. But I have only used them intermittently over the past two years now.