Anyone out there know of source for touring quality (as in not Kenda on Chen Shin) 650A (26 x 1 3/8") tires?

I tried ordering some Conti Top Touring 2000s from one vendor but after 8 weeks of being told they were about to come off back-order it looks like they're not coming at all.

My back-up plan is to convert to 650B, but that adds some more expense to the project. Both 700C and decimal 26" are out because either one would require replacing the brake calipers which I'd rather not do.

ya try velo orange?

harris cyclery lists a few other options, although things will be quite limited in that size...

https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/tires/590.html

I wish I knew myself. Schwalbe is now listing the 85 psi Marathon Plus in 650a on its website <https://schwalbetires.com/node/142/ok>, but I don't have direct experience with it. Looks like a less expensive Marathon comes in that size as well. We need to cultivate a Japanese connection where 650a choices seem to be plentiful.

Neal

I ride Bell Sports Streetster folding tires in 27" and like them. They're also available throughout the USA at Walmart stores in 650A/26x1 3/8. Also investigate: Michelin Transworld City, Specialized Tri Sport, Vittoria Randonneur, Vredestein Girando.

HTH,
TCS

I think Bell is made by Cheng Shin. I've had 1 of each manf. in 26x1.75 and they looked pretty much the same. For $8 locally, I thought they were a good buy.

You could get Panaracer Col de la vie tires in 590/650a from I's bicycles in Japan or Kogswell. I's bicycles in the shop that is responsible for some of the new 650B designs and being a japanese shop they deal in 650a as well.

There are plenty of 590s in the rest of the world. Unfortunately no one is interested in them, at least not any bicycle personalities.

What bike do you have? A raleigh Sports? Does anyone know what sort of rear brake would work with 650B on the Raleigh Sports? A mafac raid perhaps? I'm in the process of modifying a raleigh sports and haven't figured out what I am going to do with the wheels. It has CR 18 590s on it right now, so either I find obscure japanese tires in that size or convert to 650B because I really love the Panaracer touring tires. But then the 650B CR 18 rims are apparently a real pain the ass, worse than the 590 versions and Harris has stopped selling them.

The schwalbe delta cruiser is available in 590 form in a few different colours. Harris sells the white wall versions.

We stock BOTH Panaracer Col de la Vie 590 (650A) models:

the 38mm/430g Randonnée (the same tire as the 650B)

and the 34mm/390g Passhunting tire

The Passhunting is a lot like a 590 cyclocross tire - knobby.

The Randonnée is the tire that most people use.

The other good 590 tires are the Schwalbe Marathon and the Chin Shen. The Marathon is heavy, but completely bomb proof. And I think the Chin Shen is a pretty darned good tire for kids and others who can use a 34mm profile.

Call if you want a pair of Randonées. 952-445-8804

590. 584. 559. 622. 507. 406. It's all good.

Yeah.

The Chen Shins are marketed here by Bell. Walmart sells them. Very nice tires for the money.

I rode the Marathon Plue 650A tire for a season a couple of years ago.

Like all Marathons, it is well made and as sturdy as they come. It's the sort of tire that makes you totally relax about flats. I highly recommend 650A Marathons for bikes for kids and casual riders. Their dependability engenders a sense that bicycles can be relied upon for daily commutes and errands. A kid on a 650A Marathon will be able to ride all over town all spring and all summer and all fall without any tire concerns.

Thanks for all the input, but it looks like I'm going 650B after all.

The rear hub is shot and I figure if I'm going to build a new wheel set it might as well be in a size that's getting easier to find instead of harder.

Looking forward to trying the Col de la Vie Randonnée.

For those that are still looking, there is the Continental CityRide as well.

I also bought a pair of these as a cheap experiment and I really like them.
They were supposed to go on my Sprite but I have been happy with them on my touring bike so I guess they will stay there for now.

I'll second the Continental CityRide. I've got about 1,000 miles on a pair and have no complaints.

Regards,
Alan

I have gotten Bell tires that were Cheng Shin and Kenda. Both are decent tires in blackwall. The gumwalls don't hold up very long before cracking. The latest gimick is a green square in the tread that turns red as it wears away, so you know that your tire is worn out.