JonHakala

Hello, I have been riding a vintage Schwinn Traveler for the past few months and decided it's time for some new tires(I think they were the originals, yikes ) and was wondering what size tire would fit on the stock rim? I am also considering just replacing both rims. What would I need to do this? What would the specs of the new gear need to be to fit? Is this even possible?

Thanks,

Jon

wrk101

Too little information here. The specs on the Traveler changed dramatically in the 1980s. In the early 1980s they had one wheel size, by the late 1980s a totally different wheel size.

Replacing wheels is cheaper than replacing rims, particularly if you pick up a used set of wheels. Replacing just rims means rebuilding the wheels, new spokes, time, etc. I have rehabbed over 500 bikes, I have never bought a single new wheel. Just bought another set used yesterday. Got a set of wheels, four new Michelin tires, two used tires, tubes, and a brand new Shimano cassette all for $35 (NIB cassette had a $36 price tag on it, the tires are worth $100+, etc). The wheels sat on C/L for several days, so its not like I scooped them up in 5 seconds. New spokes alone if I just wanted to swap rims would have cost me more! Not that I won't swap rims on occasion. But financially, its a loser.

Maybe someday I will need a new wheel or two, but with close to 100 spares in inventory, I don't see it happening anytime soon.

Are you resourceful and mechanically inclined? If so, a wheel swap is very straight forward. If you take it to a shop, it is going to be expensive by the time you are done, more than what an early 1980s Traveler is worth (if that is what you have).

Price new parts, you will at a minimum need wheels, tires, tubes, and a freewheel (or cassette, depending on the type of wheels you use). And once you swap freewheels, you will need a new chain too. New and installed, this list is over $200 (part of the reason used wheels are compelling values).

PatTheSlat 

Tires should say their size on the side, either 27 x 1-1/4 or 700 x xxC (where xx is a number probably between 23 and 35). If the tires are too worn to read the size, post a picture of your bike and we can identify the year for you and determine what size you need based on that.

RubberLegs

The little stamped number off the headbadge will give us a date of manufacture as well.

JonHakala

Thanks for the replies, guys. I took some pictures. The stamp on the bike says 0836. It's not usually this dirty, I promise I was kind of bummed out because the rear tire gave out 15 miles in to a really great ride.

Jon

Scooper

It's a 1986 Traveler in Cadet Blue.

Rims are Weinmann 416 alloy 27" x 1-1/4"; original tires were Schwinn Record 27" x 1-1/8" Dual Hard 100 psi, 300 gm, skinwall, standard valve.

JonHakala

Thanks, and in reply to wrk101, I am fairly handy. I can do a swap. I'll look into it.

So what would be some good tire replacements for this bike? Any recommendations?

Would a set of NOS Schwinn Record 27x1s work?


Jon

wrk101

Standard recommended tire on 27 inch wheels is the Panaracer Pasela. Nice tire and reasonable price if you shop around. There are some cheaper doggy tires, but for a keeper, I would go with Paselas.

I would DEFINITELY avoid NOS tires. Those tires are over 30 years old. Tires age, regardless of whether they have been mounted or not. And I see auction starts at $20, with another $17 in shipping. I can get brand new fresh Paselas for that. Those tires IMHO are meant for a wall hanger. If you are proudly displaying your bike, its nice to have original tires on it. But to ride? No thanks.

The good news on 27 inch wheels, if you ever want to replace them, you can find them used CHEAP. A lot of people think they have to have 700c wheels (the modern standard). I listened to a guy tell me that 27 inch tires are no longer sold, so he had no choice (meanwhile, I just got in an order of 27 inch tires two days earlier).

The 27 inch size is alive and well, work fine, and there are more than enough choices out there tire wise.

If you need a few other items, my favorite place to shop is Jensen USA. Their prices are not the best, but they will price match, and often, the price match is immediate. Secondly, they have free shipping for orders of $50 or more. Figure $15 each for the tires, that gets you to $30. Orders over $100 go to Niagara (their free shipping point).

Scooper

+1 on the Panaracer Pasela. Jenson has 27" x 1-1/8" black/tan wire bead tires in stock on sale for $18.

JonHakala

If I wanted a quicker tire, should I got with the 1" or the 1 1/8" or the 1 1/4"?

wrk101

If you want to go quicker, focus on replacing all bearings, grease, flushing freewheel, and new chain first. Lots of drag from old grease, and you will destroy bearing surfaces (think $$) if they have been neglected. Also, service the brakes (new cables, housings, and brake pads) as going fast also means stopping becomes more important.

When I find a bike with original tires, I assume that nothing has been maintained in 27 years. And even if unridden, grease gets really old and dry. It is not meant to last decades. Out of 500 old bikes so far, I have yet to have found a single one where the grease was not toast.

Google tire size and speed, lots of discussion on that topic.

RaleighSport

In theory the rolling resistance from least to most would be 1", 1/8, 1/4", but as Wrk101 noted if you really want your wheels to get faster, service them. If I owned your bike though, I'd probably do a 700c conversion on it and add some fenders, but that's just me.

JonHakala

Thanks for the help. I bought a set of 27x1 Paselas. Could any of you point me toward the brake pad replacement I need for the factory calipers on this bike?

Much appreciated,

Jon

PatTheSlat 

https://www.amazon.com/Dia-Compe-Grey...pe+grey+matter