Naive question re: tyre sizes

Quoted message said:

Hi all,

I'm not normally resident in this newsgroup, so please be gentle with me ;-)

Not being very well versed about bicycle tyre sizes, I feel forced to ask a
question here.

I have a Peugeot cycle, about 18 years old, and the present tyres (fitted
about 15 years ago to replace knobbly off-road tyres which I didn't want)
are marked with the size 47/50-559 (26 x 1.9). The tyres need replacing
because the sidewalls are cracking up.

I want to fit standard 'city' type tyres (i.e. not knobbly off-road ones)
but I'm having difficulty finding replacements. The nearest size of the
type I want that I can find, is 26 x 1.5. Does the 1.5 (and 1.9) indicate
the *width* of the tyre, and would the 1.5 fit on my rim?

Yes. You have standard mountain bike type rims (that's the 559) and the
width of the new tyres (City Jets?) is 40mm giving 40-559 as the tyre
size.

...d

[email hidden said:

"]Hi all,

I'm not normally resident in this newsgroup, so please be gentle with me ;-)

Not being very well versed about bicycle tyre sizes, I feel forced to ask a
question here.

I have a Peugeot cycle, about 18 years old, and the present tyres (fitted
about 15 years ago to replace knobbly off-road tyres which I didn't want)
are marked with the size 47/50-559 (26 x 1.9). The tyres need replacing
because the sidewalls are cracking up.

I want to fit standard 'city' type tyres (i.e. not knobbly off-road ones)
but I'm having difficulty finding replacements. The nearest size of the
type I want that I can find, is 26 x 1.5. Does the 1.5 (and 1.9) indicate
the *width* of the tyre, and would the 1.5 fit on my rim?

Thanks in advance.

--

Andy Clews
University of Sussex
Remove DENTURES if replying by email

The 1.5" tyres should fit your rims no-problem. You are corect in thinking that this is the width, the 26" is the rim diameter. The iso numbers 559 indicate a 26" wheel, and the 47-50 are the metric equivalent of 1.9".

For more details on tyre sizing check out www.sheldonbrown.com and read his tyre article.

Bryan

in message <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]

(') said:

Hi all,

I'm not normally resident in this newsgroup, so please be gentle with me
;-)

Not being very well versed about bicycle tyre sizes, I feel forced to ask
a question here.

I have a Peugeot cycle, about 18 years old, and the present tyres (fitted
about 15 years ago to replace knobbly off-road tyres which I didn't want)
are marked with the size 47/50-559 (26 x 1.9). The tyres need
replacing because the sidewalls are cracking up.

I want to fit standard 'city' type tyres (i.e. not knobbly off-road ones)
but I'm having difficulty finding replacements. The nearest size of the
type I want that I can find, is 26 x 1.5. Does the 1.5 (and 1.9)
indicate the *width* of the tyre, and would the 1.5 fit on my rim?

Yes and yes. With a slight waver that there have been over the course of
cycling history more than one '26"' standard, but 559 is the most common
one. Slicks will be best for city cycling; if you don't like slicks,
try 'semi slicks' like the funky Nokian AWS.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

-- mens vacua in medio vacuo --

Thanks very much to all for your prompt and helpful responses. Quick trip
down to Halfrauds it is then....

Safe cycling

Andy

--

Andy Clews
University of Sussex
Remove DENTURES if replying by email

Thus spake Bryan ([email hidden]) unto the assembled multitudes:

Quoted message said:

[...]
For more details on tyre sizing check out www.sheldonbrown.com and read
his tyre article.

It seems to be down at the moment but I'll try again later. Thanks.

--

Andy Clews
University of Sussex
Remove DENTURES if replying by email

Thus spake [email hidden] ([email hidden]) unto the assembled multitudes:

Quoted message said:

Thanks very much to all for your prompt and helpful responses. Quick trip
down to Halfrauds it is then....

Picked up two Schwalbe City Jet 26 x 1.5 at Halfords. I'd forgotten how
easy bicycle tyres were to fit - had 'em both done inside 25 mins and the
wheel nut spanner the only tool used (apart from footpump).

Sorted! Thanks to all for advice.

Andy

--

Andy Clews
University of Sussex
Remove DENTURES if replying by email

[email hidden said:

"]Thus spake [email hidden] ([email hidden]) unto the assembled multitudes:

Quoted message said:

Thanks very much to all for your prompt and helpful responses. Quick trip
down to Halfrauds it is then....

Picked up two Schwalbe City Jet 26 x 1.5 at Halfords. I'd forgotten how
easy bicycle tyres were to fit - had 'em both done inside 25 mins and the
wheel nut spanner the only tool used (apart from footpump).

Sorted! Thanks to all for advice.

Andy

--

Andy Clews
University of Sussex
Remove DENTURES if replying by email

Lucky bugger! Some tyres are easy to fit, some are complete and utter b@stards and refuse to go on no matter how much force you apply. I must say that I have hd more problems with 700c wheels than 26" ones though.

Bryan

Thus spake Bryan ([email hidden]) unto the assembled multitudes:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Picked up two Schwalbe City Jet 26 x 1.5 at Halfords. I'd forgotten
how
easy bicycle tyres were to fit - had 'em both done inside 25 mins and
the
wheel nut spanner the only tool used (apart from footpump).

Quoted message said:

Lucky bugger! Some tyres are easy to fit, some are complete and utter
b@stards and refuse to go on no matter how much force you apply.

These City Jets went on with very little force required at all. Slightly
worrying actually ;-)

--

Andy Clews
University of Sussex
Remove DENTURES if replying by email

In article <[email hidden]>
Bryan <[email hidden]> wrote:
<snip>

Quoted message said:

Lucky bugger! Some tyres are easy to fit, some are complete and utter
b@stards and refuse to go on no matter how much force you apply. I
must say that I have hd more problems with 700c wheels than 26" ones
though.

IME ATB tyres can often be changed without levers. OTOH the Vittoria
Zaffiros I put on some 700C MA40s the other day needed several levers,
soapy water and sweat to put them on. I hope they don't puncture,
because I'm not sure that I could remove them at the roadside.

Quoted message said:

Picked up two Schwalbe City Jet 26 x 1.5 at Halfords. I'd forgotten how
easy bicycle tyres were to fit

Then take them back and swap for a few Mavic rims and some Continental
tyres -- both from opposite ends of the tolerance range and an absolute
pig to fit!

Schwalbe City Jets are spot on for Summer commuting on tarmac, but I'm
wondering if I ought to leave mine on for Winter? I have a mile on
unedged windy road to negotiate in heavy traffic and I'm sure to be
riding over mud for some of it.