Bicycle Hangar Missoula, Mt

There are a couple of wheel/tires sizes that are standard on American Bicycles.  Bicycle tire sizes are normally measured on the outside of the tire and this is called the nominal tire size.  For example a 26 x 2.0 tire will fit on a 26 x 1.75 or 26 x 1.5 wheel.  The approximate outside diameter with the tire installed is 26 inches. 

 What is the difference between 26 x1.75 and 26 x 1 3/4?
The 1 3/4 size is actually a different bead size so the tires will not interchange.  The 26 x1 3/4 is an old Schwinn size that has not been made since the 60′s but the tires are still available to fit these rims.

Is 27″ the same as 700c?
No the 27 x 1 1/4 tire will not fit a 700c rim.  The bead of the tire is about 1/2″ too big.  Tubes will normally work on either 700c or 27″ tires just fine.

Is 29″ the same as 700c?
Yes, the bead size of a 29″ mountain bike wheel is the same size as the bead size of a 700c rim.  Normally the mountain rims are a little bit wider to allow the 29″ tire to fit a little better.

Old 3 speed bicycle sizes
The old 26 x 1 3/8 tire size is not the same as the 26 x 1.75 or the 26 x 1 3/4.  There is also another 26 x 1 3/8 tire size that was made by Schwinn until the late 70s that was called 26 x 1 3/8 or 26 x 1 1/4.  The bead of this rim is just large enough that it seems you will be able to get the regular 26 x 1 3/8 tire on.  You will ruin the tire if you do get it on and it is nearly impossible to get back off.

Rick Kern Bicycle Hangar Missoula, Mt

This entry was posted on Monday, April 6th, 2009 at 12:21 pm and is filed under Missoula Bicycle Hangar Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.