I am taking an 80's Schwinn Caliente (a real classic, I know) and converting it into a commuter-ish ride. Just for kicks I put the rims off the wife's chicago Collegiate on the Caliente to see how they look and to my surprise I really like the look of the fatter road tire. Only problem is, I can't figure out what a comparable size would be in a lighter, more modern wheel? And where can I buy such a rim? I don't even know what to call that size of tire/rim. Can someone educate me?
So far I've decided to do a coaster brake wheelset to keep things as simple as possible. If i can find a decent set of rims i may get a cassette hub laced in the future. If that is even feasible. You can probably tell I am not exactly a professional seeing that I am putting fat road tires with a coaster brake onto a cheap 80's taiwan schwinn.

You can yell at me and tell me to search the forums if you want, I know that is a standard response, but I looked and couldn't get a clear answer.

Thanks for your help.

Hard to tell, with this much information, mainly because Collegiate bikes were made for a long while.

Here is one way you can figure an equivalent width:

- I am pretty sure that the Caliente takes 27 inch tires
- I suspect that the Collegiate takes 26 inch tires
- the width of 26 inch and 27 inch tires is measured in inches (the 26 inch is decimal, the 27 fractional)
- look at the sidewall of the tires of the collegiate for the width. Should be something like e.g 26x1.35 (I suspect that it is not MTB-wide)
- turn that into the functional equivalent = 1 3/8 and try to look for 27 x 1 3/8 tires (pretty much the largest size 27 inch tires around 35 mm)

plenty of them online or at your LBS

good luck!

I'm not sure what she had on the Collegiate, but I'm very familiar with the Caliente having owned two. If you are set on upgrading the Caliente wheels to a slightly wider, but more updated rim, I suggest the Alex P 18. It's 24 mm wide, about 2 mm wider than a typical alloy rim found on a 27" rimmed bike. They made them in 27" size and with, believe it or not, freewheel compatible hubs! I know, cause I accidently bought one. They have an aero type design, very good looking, but a little wide for me.

Man... I've been researching this whole time and I cannot figure anything out. I know people will probably think I am crazy but i like the look of the 26" rims on the Caliente in place of the 27s. Am I going to run into any problems running the 26s? This bike is turning into a rat-rod-ish project so anything really goes.

Unless you get major long reach brakes, you will have problems running 26s. DiaCompe 750 centerpulls might fit the bill, they have up to a 75mm reach, but they are about $50 a pair.

I'd leave the 27's on the Caliente. As EjustE mentioned 27 x 1-3/8 is the largest size tire you'll find in 27"....sort of. All tire are measured differently, a 1" in one companies line may measure differently than another companies 1" tire. The reason I mention this is because the Bell 27 X 1 1/4" tires from WalMart are HUGE.

but with a coaster brake I will have no need for other brakes. Of course finding a coaster brake wheelset isn't going to be all that easy, or so it seems.

I did not realize that you were going to convert in into a single speed. If that is the case and you want a coster brake, the least expensive alternative is to look for a donor later model *mart cruiser bike and use its wheels. CL should be full of those.

A variety of CB hubs can be found on Ebay or any other parts retailer. I may be mistaken but I think a regular Shimano single speed CB hub has a flange diamter of 44mm or so. If thats true it'll interchange with any low flange hub which allows you to swap out your old geared hub while re-using the old spokes.

If you're replacing 26 inch tires, do NOT presume 1 3/8 = 1.375. You want to match all the numbers on the tires. Schwinn 26" does not equal Raleigh 26", or for that matter, most other 26" tires.

E's suggestion for finding roughly equivalent widths is sound, but be careful if you're replacing 26" tires.