Tire size vs. tube size
09-15-08, 10:42 PM
#1
Jeff Kan 1
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Tire size vs. tube size
Hey gang... new owner of a used recumbent... had a broken presta valve, so now have a flat. I'm working on getting a set of tire levers so I can get the Schwalbe tire off the rim without tearing up the rubber on the tire and without damaging the rim. 
But until I get the tire levers, I assume it's a bad idea to use a screwdriver or metal pry tool that isn't at least 1/2 inch wide. I don't remember having this much trouble getting my mountain bike tire off the bead.
So until I can get the tire off the bead and pull the tube to look at it, I see the numbers 26x1.50 on the side of the tire. Do I need to get a 26x1.50 tube? Will a 27 inch (700 mm?) tube work just fine? If so, what numbers do I get after the 700? 18-24... 19-26... 28-32...35-38? It's EXTREMELY frustrating to order a tube size based on the tire size.
I know, I know... get the tire off, pull the tube and order the same size tube. Or take the entire wheel to my LBS. Well I don't have the tire levers yet, and I live 90 miles from my "local" bike shop.
I just need to get the tire levers and go from there... yes?
May your camel spit nothing but dates.
Jeff
But until I get the tire levers, I assume it's a bad idea to use a screwdriver or metal pry tool that isn't at least 1/2 inch wide. I don't remember having this much trouble getting my mountain bike tire off the bead.
So until I can get the tire off the bead and pull the tube to look at it, I see the numbers 26x1.50 on the side of the tire. Do I need to get a 26x1.50 tube? Will a 27 inch (700 mm?) tube work just fine? If so, what numbers do I get after the 700? 18-24... 19-26... 28-32...35-38? It's EXTREMELY frustrating to order a tube size based on the tire size.
I know, I know... get the tire off, pull the tube and order the same size tube. Or take the entire wheel to my LBS. Well I don't have the tire levers yet, and I live 90 miles from my "local" bike shop.
I just need to get the tire levers and go from there... yes?
May your camel spit nothing but dates.
Jeff
09-15-08, 11:33 PM
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Yep. With tubes you need the correct diameter (26"), but the tube-size is more forgiving. It could be a 1-1.25" - 1-50" or something. Ask the shop.
09-16-08, 02:42 AM
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Arrogant Safety Nanny
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I think you're looking for something like this for the tube...Continental Presta Tube 26x1.25-1.75. Your tire size (26x1.5) falls within the range the tube is labeled with. Panthers007 is correct.
Originally Posted by Panthers007
Yep. With tubes you need the correct diameter (26"), but the tube-size is more forgiving. It could be a 1-1.25" - 1-50" or something. Ask the shop.
09-16-08, 04:18 AM
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First try this:
1. Squeeze your tire beads in toward the center of the rim all of the way around.
2. Hold the wheel vertically in front of you with the valve stem at 3 o'clock.
3. Grab the tire at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock and push it straight down. What you're trying to do is to accumulate all of the slack between the tire and rim at one place.
Most of the time that will give you the slack that you need to push one of the tire beads off of the rim without using tire levers. In a pinch, a quick release lever makes a good emergency tire lever.
1. Squeeze your tire beads in toward the center of the rim all of the way around.
2. Hold the wheel vertically in front of you with the valve stem at 3 o'clock.
3. Grab the tire at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock and push it straight down. What you're trying to do is to accumulate all of the slack between the tire and rim at one place.
Most of the time that will give you the slack that you need to push one of the tire beads off of the rim without using tire levers. In a pinch, a quick release lever makes a good emergency tire lever.
09-16-08, 08:49 AM
#6
Jeff Kan 1
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Excellent replies everyone, thanks! You are my LBS... I live in rural northwest KS and don't feel like spending $38 in gas to drive there and back.
Retro G., great advice, I will try that and see if it'll work. Thanks JeffB502, I'll try that Continental Tube. I did find after hours of searching online, that Schwalbe does sell a tube. It was in the $8 - $12 range. It's funny, we don't think twice about spending hundreds on a bike, but oh man, $12 seems like so much for a tube! lol
Retro G., great advice, I will try that and see if it'll work. Thanks JeffB502, I'll try that Continental Tube. I did find after hours of searching online, that Schwalbe does sell a tube. It was in the $8 - $12 range. It's funny, we don't think twice about spending hundreds on a bike, but oh man, $12 seems like so much for a tube! lol
