Tires for my Varsity
 

Hey all, I was looking over the tires on my 73 Varsity and It looks like it is time for new shoes. Any recos on new tires for the stock wheels? It seems 700c are the tires i see most and i dont know if those would fit my 27" wheels.

Thanks!

panaracer paselas in either 27" X 1 1/4" or 27"X 1 1/8" I have the wider ones on my Varsity and the narrower on my Continental. I have the skinwalls and they perform great and give a really nice ride.

700's won't fit, but most decent LBS's stock Panaracer Pasellas, or IRC's that will work great on your Schwinn in 27 X 1-1/4.

If your Varsity still has its original steel rims, you need to buy 27 inch tires for it, 700s will not fit. Also ignore the max inflation ratings on the new tires. New tires are made for hooked rims, the original Schwinn steel rims are not hooked. Do not inflate the new tires to more than 70-75 psi.

funny coincidence. today i bought a couple of tires for the schwinn varsity i got at the local bike coop.

the originals said 27 1/4, so i bought a couple of cheap bell kevlar belted ones from a big box. should they work? or will there be a problem with bead/rim compatibility?

If the new tires are the same size as the old tires, they will work. If you have the original steel rims, do not inflate the new tires past 75psi, irrespective of the max inflation number shown on the new tires.

thanks!

I have had a LOT of trouble getting those Bell tires from Wallyworld to seat on old rims. I bought one pair about a year ago and have tried getting them to sit on a number of rims without success. I think on a newer, hooked rim they would be fine. Do try; I have never been at tires and you might have the touch I did not.

jim

well, cross fingers please. i'll try replacing the worse of the two tires, and if it's futile, i'll takes the loss on one and return the other.

nashbar have some tires for about $6

+1 I use the Performance $7.oo tires too. They're fine for older bikes. But the Panaracers and IRC's are better tires. I also use Continental Ultra Sports for my nicer 27inch ride.

I think I might get the UltraSports because thats about all my LBS has in a 27" it seems

Me too. Have the $7 performance tires on my traveler

well, this weekend i put on the bell tires. eventually got them seated. i inflated to 60 pounds, and on each, there was a spot near a ding on the rim where it started coming up. so, i took out about 2/3 of the air, squeezed tire back in all around, and reinflated.

they're holding now at 60 -- i'm not inflating them higher anyway, because the roads around here are none too smooth.

Actually, if you have pot holes etc. you may NEED to inflate them higher or else suffer pinch flats.

more bumps than potholes. i guess tubes are cheaper than replacing the fillings that get shaken out.

I also ride on some dirt roads that are not very smooth as well as on good pavement. I use Bell tires on staight side steel rims and inflate to around 75 pounds. Never had one blow off. I think they are good tires for the kind of riding I do.

thanks all for the feedback