27" tires
 

I need a new set of tires very soon and was hoping to get some opinions on 27" tires. No don't really want to upgrade/change to 700's right now. I mostly ride on paths/roads, but some of the paths are in pretty rough shape for road tires. I'm looking for a good all-around tire either 27x1-1/8 or 27x1-1/4, don't really want to spend more than $30-40 per tire+tube. Does going a 1/8" up make that much difference? I'm more familiar with mtb's and big chunky treads, not so much commuter/Family rider tires.

Panaracer Tour Guard Pasela and Vittoria Zaffiro are both great 27" tires which can often be found for about $20 per tire.

"Round up the usual suspects." Captain Renault.

Continental Ultrasport, Supersport, Gatorskin. Schwalbe Marathon.

Your local big box will have folding 27s under the Bell or Hutchinson brand name.

I agree with the Panaracer suggestions. As for does 1/8" make a difference? I think it does. I much prefer a 27" x 1 1/8" tire over a 27" x 1 1/4" one, for my vintage road bicycles. In your case, go for the 1 1/4" or even 1 3/8", if you can find them.

If you're navigating soft surfaces, wider is better. Also, look into searching for cyclocross 27" tires.

I use the Specialized All Condition Armadillo. Very happy with them.
I think they may be outside $ range, however.

Another vote for the Panaracer Pasela. I have the 27" ones on my tandem, and love them.

I think these might be over the OPs price limit but I'll have to check.

What kind of big box store? Walmart? Dicks?


Personally I vote for the Paselas. The real problem with tires is getting tan side walls locally. Order them now before you have to pay a VAT Tax for online shopping. Thanks Amazon!

I'd love to find some 27" tires with black side walls. My commuter doesn't need to look classic and color on the sides just means more cleaning.

A friends son bought one of the Bell brands and it's oversize. (listed as 1-1/4 1-3/8)
The chainstay bridge interference means you have to deflate the tire to mount the wheel.

Try the Vittoria Zaffiro tire http://www.rei.com/product/786321/vi...tire-27-x-1-14 for a wider tire, or http://www.amazon.com/Vittoria-Zaffiro-27/dp/B004KZW6TE for 1/8. I don't like using anything larger that 1/8th on the front, I feel it slows down the steering too much to put a thick tire on that ol skool geometry, but I like the 1/4 on the rear for carrying the load when commuting: best of both worlds.

I've had great luck with the Strada-K Kevlar tires from Performance. They're really tough -- I've used them for commutes nearly every day for about six years (I'm on the second set, after wearing the first down to the cords) and I've never had a flat. They're also really cheap. krobinson103, they're also blackwalls.

I strongly favor the Panaracers, too. I love the way it rides and sounds. I haven't tried all the others, but I expect the Panaracer to win in a blind contest.

The tires at the big box stores are crap. Treat yourself to good tires. They are the best thing you can give your bike. They're not very expensive. Nashbar often has them on sale.

I've ridden them in 28, 32, and 35 mm sizes (1-1/8, 1-1/4, and 1-3/8 inches). I haven't tried them in 25 mm (1 inch) but I understand they're nice, too. They all offer the difference you would expect from different widths, and I mean that in a good way. 28mm is a nice compromise between peppy and comfortable, and it's the size I use most often.

Panaracer 27"x1-1/4" are really comfy. :thumb:

+ 1000.

Almost all my 27" experience is with the el cheapo Performance "Forte" brand tires. Actually not that bad for the price. I did buy one set of Contiental Ultra Sport tires. They certainly rode nice. I had the Vittoria Zaffiro in a 700C tire on the Bianchi Campione I used to own. That was a really nice tire. Haven't tried new Panaracers but almost all the folks here raive about them.

Well-said. I agree totally. For the price, you can't beat Paselas.

I wish there were a super-high-performance 27 x 1-1/4 tire, though. It would be great if Grand Bois would do one, particularly in an EL version, but I'm not holding my breath.

Neither am I. I'm curious to hear how people like the Continentals. They look good, but I don't want to rise $30 or whatever it is.

I dig the whitewall look and the the ride I get on my Schwalbe HS159s. Cheap tire, $18. They seem to wear a bit faster than my more expensive tires, but they've taken a bunch of abuse and haven't flatted on me yet.

This topic comes up often enough that I made an 'Ultimate 27" Tire Reference Thread' a little while back:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...erence-thread!

Michelin world tour are pretty good too. The 27x1 1/4 are pretty thick, probably closer to 33mm or 34mm wide. Make sure your frame can take the width before you buy.

I dig the whitewall look and the the ride I get on my Schwalbe HS159s. Cheap tire, $18. They seem to wear a bit faster than my more expensive tires, but they've taken a bunch of abuse and haven't flatted on me yet.

Edit: I just realized that's the tire in my avatar :)

BTW, Panaracer PASELA tires come in black wall too. I have some 27 X 1 inch and I like them. All except the rather obnoxious labels.
But I have a way to deal with those.

Well, with the overwhelming response I'll be trying out the panaracers probably go with the 1-1/4 rear and 1-1/8 front.