Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Folding Bikes
Reload this Page >

Tire Questions

Notices
Folding Bikes Discuss the unique features and issues of folding bikes. Also a great place to learn what folding bike will work best for your needs.

Tire Questions

Old 12-23-25 | 05:46 PM
  #1  
Furyus's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 2
From: Virginia USA

Bikes: 1968 Schwinn Slik Chik,

Tire Questions

Tire sizing. I’ve got a Dahon Vigor D9. Currently has some fairly aggressive knobbies on it. Tires now are 54-406’s. (20x1.95) From what I understand I can go down in sizing (below 54) but not likely up in sizing due to rim width.

I’ll be using the bike exclusively for exercise and nearly always on paved paths. Occasionally I’ll ride some park paths that are fine gravel.

I’d like to get wider tires on these rims, at least a 2.0. I’m also looking for some recommendations on a fast, smooth tire for pavement. I’ll lose some traction on fine gravel but those are typically slower cruises with my wife.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Merry Christmas!
Furyus is offline  
Reply
Old 12-23-25 | 06:10 PM
  #2  
spclark's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 1,208
From: "Driftless" WI

Bikes: 1972 Motobecane Grand Record, 2023 Specialized Tarmac SL7,'26 Spesh Diverge, '22 Kona Dew+

You certain you can upsize rim width going to a smaller wheel & still have frame clearance for wider tires?

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/rim-sizing.html
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/rim-sizing.html

You looked into finding 18" rims?

In the width you want?
__________________
"Bramo assai,poco spero,nulla chieggio."
spclark is offline  
Reply
Old 12-23-25 | 06:47 PM
  #3  
Furyus's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 2
From: Virginia USA

Bikes: 1968 Schwinn Slik Chik,

Originally Posted by spclark
You certain you can upsize rim width going to a smaller wheel & still have frame clearance for wider tires?

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/rim-sizing.html
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/rim-sizing.html

You looked into finding 18" rims?

In the width you want?

The chart is helpful, thanks. Definitely want to stick with 20’s. I was thinking bmx race tire. Wide as possible as equipped and smooth/slik.
Furyus is offline  
Reply
Old 12-23-25 | 07:02 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 79
From: San Juan, PR

Bikes: 1980's Royce Union "fixed wheel", 1995 Trek 370, 406 -wheeled kludged " shopper/minivelo"for running errands, early 90's Raleigh M60 (no longer SS; now 7-speed 1x), (2) Zizzo Campo (one stock, another slightly mod'ed)

Although mine's not a Vigor, my Zizzo is running Maxxis Hookworm in 53-406. (20×1.95). Pretty satisfied with them, and can run them down to 50/55psi F/R (240# guy here!)without ill effects. Their inttended purpose are BMX/"urban assaults" tires but have been good for regular rides.
Juan el Boricua is offline  
Reply
Old 12-23-25 | 07:55 PM
  #5  
spclark's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 1,208
From: "Driftless" WI

Bikes: 1972 Motobecane Grand Record, 2023 Specialized Tarmac SL7,'26 Spesh Diverge, '22 Kona Dew+



Prolly as slik a 20"er as you'll find.
__________________
"Bramo assai,poco spero,nulla chieggio."
spclark is offline  
Reply
Old 12-24-25 | 12:10 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 567
The excellent Continental Contact Urban exists in 50x406.

Its very fast with a good grip and a good puncture protection.
Jipe is offline  
Reply
Old 12-24-25 | 06:54 AM
  #7  
spclark's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 1,208
From: "Driftless" WI

Bikes: 1972 Motobecane Grand Record, 2023 Specialized Tarmac SL7,'26 Spesh Diverge, '22 Kona Dew+

Originally Posted by Jipe
The excellent Continental Contact Urban exists in 50x406.
        Continental Contact Urban
Continental Contact Urban

Yeah, worth a look too.

Looks slick enough, maybe a bit more tread for safety when the pavement's wet too. Availability and price be the factors determining suitability; here's a link to one retailer in the USA that sells 'em.
__________________
"Bramo assai,poco spero,nulla chieggio."

Last edited by spclark; 12-24-25 at 07:01 AM.
spclark is offline  
Reply
Old 12-24-25 | 07:53 AM
  #8  
Furyus's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 2
From: Virginia USA

Bikes: 1968 Schwinn Slik Chik,

Some great suggestions here, thanks very much.

Hope everyone has a great Christmas and New Year!
Furyus is offline  
Reply
Old 12-24-25 | 08:17 PM
  #9  
Newbie
 
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 41
Likes: 14
I found the Billy Bonkers to be a good all-rounders and they come in plenty of sizes https://www.schwalbe.com/en/Billy-Bonkers-11654376
DaveMacDave is offline  
Reply

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.