rsg

I have a 1983 Schwinn Traveler made by Giant Bicycle with original ARAYA Aluminum Rims.

All components are original to this bicycle, nothing has ever been replaced on it, including the tires.

I received this bike mid July 2012, with this bike needing only minor repairs & updates. The tires were worn out in the back from skidding, & both tires were dry-rotted on the side wall, the rear inner tube was blown out completely. Both tires needed to be replaced.

Searching for new 27x1-1/4' gum wall tires with a sport/racing tread to update this bicycle & can find NOTHING in a gum wall, only black.
(I DO NOT WANT A TOURING or ROAD TIRE! & I do not want a black wall! Another update I'm trying to perform to this bicycle, it is that clean in great condition! Want to keep it all original as possible.)

To further my problem, I can only seem to find 3-4 bicycle tire manufactures/companies that even make a gum wall tire in 27x1-1/4" & they only have standard road or touring tread available. Who can point me in the right direction of where to get a Sport/Racing tire in a gum wall, in my size tire????

What the anti-gum wall sentiment????

Please let me know or point me in the right direction, if there is still new product out there like I'm requesting that does exist. Will also accept NOS tires also. Thank you for your time.

auchencrow

There is a limited selection on 27" gumwall tires because (IMHO), Panaracer's Pasela's are all that anyone really needs, for cost/value, ride quality and aesthetics.

PS- I'd steer clear of NOS tires because the operative word there is "old".

KonAaron Snake 

I wouldn't worry about keeping the bike original personally and I can't think of anything that fits your criteria. As for why they don't exist, there is a limited demand for 27' tires to begin with, not much demand for gum walls and even less demand for a "performance" 27' tire when most performance bikes have been 700c for around 3 decades now. Continental Gatorskins come in that size, but not with the gumwall...Paselas come in that size, but not with the performance tread (which I don't see why you need for that bike anyway).

Henry III

27" wheels were usually associated to touring bikes back in the day. Don't recall much racing done in 27".

rootboy 

yeah. That size is semi-obsolete. Thank goodness they still make tires in that size, though. Especially the Paselas.

due ruote 

Um, I think you're pretty much going to get the same answers here as you got on your other thread.

drker

I have bought a wide selection of tires that size on Amazon

cb400bill

While I can understand the desire to keep the bike as original as possible, the Panaracer Pasela is your closest match to what you desire.

I don't recommend that you buy OEM tires as they are new not new and their age could lead to some bad situations.

The 1983 Traveler is a nice recreational bike, but not really a higher end bike. I have put Pasela tires on considerably nicer bikes than a Traveler and they have always performed great.

Just my $.02

sstodvictory

I can't solve the OP's need, but I just want to thank all of you for the useful replies. In my case I needed 27x1-1/4 gum wall replacements for a Sekai 2400 Touring. The original tires are Panaracer with a raised center flanked by herringbone tread. Little bit of research confirmed that Panaracer Pasela are probably the best-choice replacements.

Steve

jimmuller 

What kind of a tire do you really want? Asking the same question is three different threads won't spin tires out of thin air.

More to the point, what is the point of your question? You want a "racing" tire? I'd bet you would not be able to feel the difference between what you are looking for and what you can find now. In any case, there has been pretty singnificant technology improvement over the years. Also be aware that newer high pressure tires specify a hooked-bead rim. They may blow off an older straight-sided rim.

Perhaps all this has been said before.

If your rims are suitable I'd say (as others here have already said) try the Panaracer Pasela in either 27"x28mm (i.e. 1-1/4") or 27"x32mm (i.e. 1-1/4").

LesterOfPuppets

Why? Cuz not many people roll 27" rims these days.

There are what, maybe 10 27" tires available and at least 20% of models have a tan wall option. Try buying 26" tires, maybe 1% of them are available in tan wall.

robtown

Hmm, I've flip bikes from the 70's and 80's that use 27" wheels. Ebay and Amazon have companies that sell gumwalls for about $11 plus shipping. They have wire beads and are usually rated 90 psi. The tread patterns are traditionally bland. Many of the wheelsets have straight walled rims and cannot take more than 65 psi. For better quality spring for the Palsea.

Last year I had a few 15/16" folding 27" tires that I couldn't sell cheap on Ebay. I traded them in at a local classic bike shop in Leesburg VA for the cost of a couple inner tubes.

Bianchigirll 

I have not looked for 27" tires but the same is true of 700c tires. There are tons of black tires out there from $10 on up but only the Pasela can be found with a tan skinwall unless you want to spend alot of money on some fancy Gran Cru something or other tires.

pastorbobnlnh 

...and besides, an '83 Schwinn Traveler was never a "racing" bike. It was an introductory recreational 10 speed (I bought a new one in 1980 and still own it). Mine originally came with "Schwinn Approved" Japanese tires, made by Panasonic--- which is the same company making Panaracers. So for your Traveler, Panaracers are the perfect replacement tire.

qcpmsame 

As said, the 27" wheels were not on racing bikes to any large degree at all in the 70's and 80's (bold just to show the intent.) My 1977 Schwinn Le Tour II had the old Schwinn approved Puff's on it for some reason. These were on my 1973 Continental and I put more on it when it needed new tires in 1977 after I returned from the Marines and I put them on a Sears 10-speed, I started out on, for their durability. I have not sen a close replica of them save the Pasela, and it isn't perfect in its tread pattern. A few really expensive gum walls are out there but I have heard outrageous prices for them. Gum walls are just not used much except for C&V restorers.

The three thread about this will just make you frustrated and draw criticism for their tone to you. The Traveler was a low level bike, "touring" is generous it was something young un's got to ride around and for the college kids. Good bike to restore and enjoy but the tires are extreme to match and obsess over. Best of luck in your restore project and post pics regardless of the tires when you finish.

Bill

Bikedued

Just get Kenda gumwalls and get it overwith.. They can be found at ANY bike shop, sometimes even in stock. First choice though, Panaracer Pasela. Get the Tourguard version if you hate flats. Like many have already said though, it's really not a bike that high dollar tires would make a difference on.,,,,BD

treebound 

Rsg,

If you want to keep that bike as original as possible then you _do_ want road tires.

https://bikecatalogs.org/SCHWINN/1983...rld_Sport.html

However, if you do want race tires from that era then look into tubulars. But if you go this route then you'll probably want to make other changes to the bike as well and would realistically be better off just finding a racing bike from that era.

Have a nice day.