HELP!!! Tire Recommendations 27" Old Smooth Bead Rims
 

I am looking for recommendations for good quality touring tires.

I just purchased some Cyclepro Discovery 27" x 1 1/8. 105 lb that want to lift off the rim with only 75lbs. I just don't feel safe with these tires. I was running more pressure then this when I first put them on but they blew out with a BANG!!! while eating dinner the other night.

Are vintage tires available anywhere anymore that were made for these old smooth bead rims? This is what I would prefer.


Tire Criteria:
Tire size must be 27 x 1 1/4 Gumwall to fit my aluminum ARAYA 27 X 1 1/4 W/O HP. (old smooth bead rim).
These rims have less then 100 miles on them and I just don't want to part with them.


Thanks for your advice,
J B

I have had good luck with Nashbar's Prima 2 tires in 27x1 1/4. They are actually narrower than most 27x1 1/4 tires that I've seen, but the bead fit is tight. The sidewall rating is for 90psi. You can get them in wire or Kevlar bead, but I would stay with the wire for your rims.

Cant beat the Panaracer Pacella's for the money. Nice tire that rides and wears well..........

I would suggest sticking with some lower-end Kendas rated for 70-PSI, only as I have seen the higher-pressure hooked-bead tires to give somewhat lesser performance when 20 PSI under max.

By the way, if I'm not mistaken, the Cyclepro skinwalls also come in 1-1/4. I recall using a pair on a Raleigh Marathon mixte I sold on C-list. Great tires for the price, I must say! Best for hooked-bead rims though.

You might want to experiment with some Continental 1000s, for I recall using one on a Sturmey-Archer straight-side steel rim once with no ill effects, even at the lower PSI.

And when all else fails - put some hooked-bead 27" rims on that sucker! ;)

-Kurt

+1, I followed Kurt's advice (from a previous thread). I'm running the 90 PSI rated Kendas on my steel rimmed Fuji but I'm only using 80 PSI. They're working real well. You might want to try Dick's Sporting Goods if they are near you. The Dick's near me was selling Kenda's for $5.00 each. I grabbed the last two they had in stock, but I think they're ordering more.

Kurt,
Makes sense but I don't like the idea of using a cheep tire on a nice ride.

I looked into the Continental 1000s and it seems they get some low opinions out there. In your experience, is there a better quality touring tire out there that will run slightly under their recommended PSI on my straight bead rim?

I see you have a lot of old bikes. Did you change them all over to hooked bead rims or did you find good tires and lower the PSI?

Thanks for your help,
J B

I strongly recommend a NEW 27 x 1-1/4" Panaracer Pasela. Not the older ones that were ISO size 630-30, but the new ones, which have just begun shipping, that are ISO 630-32. The old ones were undersized, measuring about 28mm. But the new ones are quite plump, measuring almost a full 32. With a very supple, high quality carcass, they roll easily at low pressures.

My wife, who weighs as much as most guys, likes hers at 65-70 psi. They coast quite well and give a much better ride than at 80psi. I like the security of knowing the tire is rated for a much higher, 95psi, pressure than she's using.

Tire Criteria:
Tire size must be 27 x 1 1/4 Gumwall to fit my aluminum ARAYA 27 X 1 1/4 W/O HP. (old smooth bead rim).
J B[/QUOTE]

Both my Sekai and Novara came with these rims. One came stock with 90psi tires and the other 100. Never had one blow off. I think that w/o hp means without high pressure in that they dont want some bonehead to try to put tubeulars (sp) on it. Back in the day both tubeular and clincher came in 27 inch.

I would think that not having a bead would be more of a low pressure problem. Anyway one more vote for the prima.

Just came across a site that says don't run more than 70psi on these rims. So my last post if anyone read it dont do what I do.

Odd though that so many of the bikes that came with these rims came with 90 plus tires on them . I would say that it was the rule not the exception.

One more thing to worry about. Guess I'll have to drop the pressure down.

I'm using Schwable Marathon tires but I just ruined a trip by accidently putting a bit over 90 PSI in them and having them blow off when I got on the hot country blacktop. I've been riding them with 80 PSI in them for a long time with no trouble though.

jordanb,
So you say you are using a Schwable Marathon tire on old smooth bead rims? I just sent an email to Schwalbe North America to ask if they could recommend a tire for smooth bead rims.

Maybe they will let me know soon.


Thanks,
J B

If it is a nice machine that you're working with, why don't you swap the rims for hooked-bead 27s" then? Worth it, in my book.


Interesting - I've always found them to be one of the best sub-ten dollar 27" clinchers out there. They look disgusting, yes, but they give considerable bang for the buck, in my book. Do note that while there is a considerable stock of them available, they are being discontinued (got this info from the Mavic distributer while at the LBS).

All of the machines I own have hooked bead rims stock, save for my '70 Schwinn Continental, which simply runs the cheap Kendas. Another exception would be my '61 Paramount when original - I believe straight-wall rims were the norm back then. It's running Araya 700Cs hooked-beads now, mainly as these Arayas were the only spare wheeset I had on hand at the time.

Take care,

-Kurt

I use Conti Ultra Sport 27X1 1/4's on a few of my bikes. They're fantastic tyres for the price ($13.50 CDN) and I think are rated to 90 or 95 PSI. I don't know much about the whole hooked vs. smooth bead deal , though I do know the rims I use them on are all Arayas, and I've never had a problem. Interesting you mentioned the "w/o hp" thing though - I'm getting an old Miyata 1000 with those rims - hope they're okay - fingers crossed....

Kurt,

Are you saying that Conti 1000s can be used for smooth-beaded 27" rims as long as lower pressure? I got scared off by their label that specifically noted "this tire is only for use on hook-bead style rims!"

And, are they just a dying breed of rim/tires? What kinds of tires were used on the old smooth-beaded rims, anyway? They just don't make those kinds of tires anymore? I'm not getting this, and I'd like to figure it out, because I do haaaaaaaaaaave* a pair of smooth-beaded Fiamme rims with Campy hubs. Should I just re-build these hubs with newer rims?


*Just killed the most murderous mosquite chomping away on my foot. Not that you'd all care, but this is perhaps my greatest life victory of the week. Evil, parasitic wench.

I think I am starting to get it.... Forget trying to find tires that fit these old rims. They are not to be had anymore.

This seems to be getting more complicated. Do I need to replace everything that is mounted on my back rim in order to upgrade to the hook type of rim? Cassette, bearings, hubs? Do I get new rims fully assembled? I'm sure what ever I get I won't be able to use my Suntour Cassette. What is the best way to approach this.

Thanks again,
J B

"It ain't necessarily so." I have Schwinn 27x1-3/8" tires, rated at 70 PSI, which I inflate to 75-80 PSI per my 110% rule, on my non-hook Rigida rims. For my UO-8 commuter, these are ideal. Sheldon Brown / Harris Cyclery also sells some 70 to 80 PSI tires which should work safely. The key is simply to find a tire which is designed for 70 or 80 PSI, rather than for 100+.


If and only if the hubs and spokes are in good shape, one can simply replace the rim by setting the new rim next to the old wheel and transferring the spokes across one by one, starting with the near side. If the spokes are rusty or if the hub is getting tired, then a new wheel is a better bet.

John E,
This sounds like it is worth a try to me... I checked Sheldon's site but PSI's don't seem to be listed. Could you please point me in the direction of some of the tires you recommend? I am looking for a 27 1 1/4 tire, something in a gum or skin wall. Something with a touring tread. Nothing real aggressive.

This is encouraging!

Thanks for you help,
J B

Some tires are marked 75 PSI, some 85 PSI, some 95 PSI. But, those PSI ratings don't have anything to do with whether they would work with the obsolete rim style that JB has. Their bead must be designed for that type of rim to get a secure fit.

If two 27 inch tires have precisely the same width, they will deliver similar ride and handling characteristics at 75 PSI, even if one is marked 75 PSI and the other 95 PSI. The PSI stamped on the tire is a maximum PSI ratings, based on the assumption that the tire is mounted on the correct style of rim, and the correct width of rim, for a heavy rider. A lighter rider can ride a 27 x 1 1/4 tire at 10 or 15 pounds less pressure than a heavy weight rider and get good results, IF the bead and rim match.

I would have a good bike shop verify that the rims are in fact "smooth" and not the modern "hooked" rims. If they are smooth, replace them with hooked rims. A 700c rim, would allow use of any brand of modern road tire.

alanbikehouston,
The rims I have are most definitely "smooth" and not the modern "hooked" rims. I can tell just by looking at them. Also, the way the tire wants to lift over the rim with less then the recommended amount of PSI.

I would much rather get opinions right here then from a "good bike shop". In fact I went to the LBA first, before posting to Bike Forums.
I called my LBS about replacing my old tires. At his request I did bring rim /w old tire in for him to look at. The owner of the LBS recommended one of two tires. I chose the better of the two. (Tire: Cyclepro Discovery 27" x 1 1/8. 105 lb.) I asked him how much air should I put in them. He said just put in what it says on the tire.


Now I admit, when I brought my tire and rim to him for him to see, I had no idea (at the time) what he should have been looking for. I do now. Clearly he was interested in the size and nothing else. I told him the bike was a 1980 10 speed. I would think he should have had a clue these rims could very well be smooth bead. And he is the owner of the shop of nine years. I think he recommended a bad tire for me to be truthful. I had two blow outs because of this. Thank God the bike was parked when they went off.

Anyhow, I do think with the combination of correct size tire and a lower PSI, I should be able to find something I will feel safe with. Even on smooth bead rims.

I just can't seem to find any tires below 90 PSI.

If anyone can find any tires in the size of 27" x 1 1/4 gum or skinwall and 85lbs or under I would appreciate it if you could provide a link to it.

Thanks again for all you help,
J B

I have a set of those Araya smoothrims on my Univega Viva Sport - I've had good luck with both the Kenda gumwall/blackwall street tires (available at hardware stores for ~$8 - 12 ea., but here's my real recommendation:

If you have a Performance Bikes shop anywhere near you, their store brand GT2 road tire is a 1 1/8" or 1 1/4", with a 90 - 110psi rating - they stay on the rims well, and offer much lower rolling resistance than the Kendas, though the tradeoff is ride comfort.

If you don't have a shop near you, check 'em online: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5420

Fasteryoufool,
Thanks for the response! Could you tell me how many PSI do you run in these tires?
Also, I don't see them listed in gum or skin on that link. Are they available in other then black?

I am running the Cyclepro Discovery 27" x 1 1/8. 105 lb. Even at 70 PSI I see a little more white that should be below the rim. More white then I would like to see. With a black tire you may not be able to see this as well.

Thanks again,
J B

I run the 1 1/8" road tires on it, and I usually run 90 - 100 psi in 'em. I'm not much for ride comfort as I am for low rolling resistance. My ol' lady always complains that when we go out for rides together, all she hears is the ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ (crank, crank) ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ from my freewheel. :p

Oh yeah, they only come in black. Give 'em a shot - they're on sale right now (and usually are) for $8 apiece, it's worth a try at that price, isn't it?

SCHWALBE NORTH AMERICA got back to me and they recommend:
________________________________________________________
"J B;

The tire I would recommend for you is the Marathon 2006. It is our
touring tire and comes with a snakeskin sidewall that helps with
durability as well as a Kevlar belt to help protect against punctures.
I believe it will work with your rims but you may not be able to go up
to the highest pressure rating. If you have more questions please let
me know."

Thanks,
Tim Unger
Sales Team
SCHWALBE NORTH AMERICA
A Division of Moser Enterprises Incorporated
USA and CANADA
1-888-700-5860 / 250-598-0397 ext: 103
www.schwalbetires.com
________________________________________________________
Any thoughts about what Tim says?

J B

I know this is a little old, but wondering if this was the final say anyone had on good tires for smooth-sided rim tires? Alanbikehouston's rec about just transferring rims is a good one, but I would think the ONLY way to make sure this works is by getting exactly the same rim. How much can you fudge the spoke lengths, otherwise? The extra 4mm radius for a 700c rim is too much length to be able to compensate with the spoke/nipple threading, no?

J B, did you go with the Schwalbes? And again, to all you vintage experts out there: what did eveyone use when these hookless rims were the norm?!

I thought smooth-sided rims were gone by 1980 (well, maybe for Varsity or Continental Schwinns)