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Questions about beach cruiser tires

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Questions about beach cruiser tires

Old 08-30-18, 03:48 PM
  #1  
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Questions about beach cruiser tires

I've been riding my road bike exclusively for a few years. Last Sunday morning I was invited to an early morning pub crawl on bikes, so I aired up the tires on my Electra Cruiser 1 and rode that from brewery to brewery.

I had so much fun on it I want to start riding it more often, but I need new tires. I'm not familiar with these wide wheels. The (stock) tires on it now are nobby and 26" x 2.125". I'd like some a little smoother, but none of the online bike stores I frequent carry tires this size.

What's a good place to get beach cruiser tires?

What's a good tire to get?

Can I safely use other tire widths?
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Old 08-30-18, 04:16 PM
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Somewhat narrower tires is probably fine, although the beach cruisers often have wide rims designed for low pressure.

Wider would depend on clearance (fork crown and blades, brake bridges, chainstays, and seatstays).

I picked up some Surly Extra Terrestrials for a project. They are WIDE.

Compass has several tires with minimal tread.

Hookworm?

Maybe some others too.
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Old 08-30-18, 10:37 PM
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Originally Posted by memebag
I'm not familiar with these wide wheels. The (stock) tires on it now are nobby and 26" x 2.125". I'd like some a little smoother, but none of the online bike stores I frequent carry tires this size.
There are a number of different wheel diameter specifications called "26 inch", but when the tire width is specified as a decimal number in inches, it refers to a Bead Seat Diameter of 559mm. 559mm BSD is the same size as used on 26er mountain bikes, and it's by far the most common '26"' wheel/tire specification.

Can I safely use other tire widths?
As mentioned above, you'll need to stick to tires with a 559mm BSD. That is, you'll need to stick with tires that have a size specified in decimal inches. 26 x 1.75 will fit on your wheels, 26 x 1 3/4 is for a different wheel diameter and will not.
(Some tires list their BSD in millimeters as well. A tire that is labelled 53 - 559, for instance, is 53mm wide and has the right bead seat diameter for your rims.)

If you want to go to bigger tires, you'll be limited by the clearance of your frame and fork. Some things to note when checking clearances:
-For every extra 2mm of tire width, the tire will gain roughly 1mm in height, and 1mm in width to either side.
-Always leave a bit of clearance for safety.
-Tire sizing is somewhat approximate. The size that a tire claims to be is generally slightly off from what it'll actually inflate to.

What's a good tire to get?
If you're aiming for low rolling resistance on firm surfaces, smoother tread pattern will help. But there's a lot more to performance than just tread pattern. Fast-rolling road tires are generally supple, built thin and flexible using fine fabrics for the casing. Puncture-protection layers generally increase a tire's rolling resistance, too.

Unfortunately, there aren't that many lively 26er road tires out there...

If you're willing to go a bit narrower, 26x1.75 Panaracer Paselas are reasonably affordable. The "PT" ones with blue/white labels have a puncture-protection layer under the tread, the ones with yellow/red labels do not.
Some of the folks in the C&V forum are fond of the Maxxis DTH, which comes in a 26x2.15 option.

Originally Posted by CliffordK
Compass has several tires with minimal tread.
The Rat Trap Pass inflates to about 2.1", exactly right for the OP's bike, and it's an amazing-rolling tire. If they don't feel much need for protection layers and they're willing to buy it, I'd definitely recommend it. Not cheap, though.
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Old 08-31-18, 10:14 AM
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Thanks so much for this information! It's really helping me find tires.
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Old 08-31-18, 02:13 PM
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The Schwalbe Big Ben 26x2.15 will make you fell like you're riding on cushions: https://www.amazon.com/SCHWALBE-Race...NPC?th=1&psc=1
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Old 09-01-18, 10:59 PM
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You have received a lot of good advice but I have my 2 cents to throw in as well. Cheap is my main concern. There is a company called Duro that makes a million different tires and most are about $20 even cheaper if you really look around. 26 x 2.125 is the right size and the size I think you should stick to. Road tires belong on road bikes cruisers use cruiser tires and cruiser tires are 26 x 2.125 period. I like this block X pattern tire and everyone I install this for say how fast they are and how much they love them. After a couple of brews you will want that extra cush in case you say stray from the path.Lots of tires lots of colors.
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Old 09-03-18, 10:52 PM
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Those crappy tires are hardly fast... and have a square profile one wouldn't want for handling. A set of Kenda 838s would be decent for the OPs bike and cheap. 2.125 tires shouldn't be hard to find. You can find them on cruisers, mtbs, hybrids, trikes.
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Old 09-06-18, 01:22 AM
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I ordered solid rubber tires from the wish app $30 For 700c 23c in white. Gonna paint the red 70mm deep dish rims, that I got on the offer up app for $40 white lol for my Electra super delux.
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Old 09-06-18, 06:00 AM
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I suspect you will hate the solid rubber tires as they have no flex and ride hard. Think tricycle. Roger
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Old 09-06-18, 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by rhenning
I suspect you will hate the solid rubber tires as they have no flex and ride hard. Think tricycle. Roger
thats a compromise that I do foresee. To counter that I’ve already sourced and mounted a schwinn gel saddle and a cane creek thud buster lol. Got both sencond hand for altogether $65
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Old 09-06-18, 05:24 PM
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The Thud Buster will help and gel saddle for me always feel like the is TP suck up my rear. Air tires are so much better and easier. Roger
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Old 09-06-18, 05:42 PM
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Exhaling* ok I came to post a picture but I can’t post url’s? I was choosing from my library! Until I’ve had ten post’s? Sorry everybody
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Old 09-07-18, 06:41 AM
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Get ten posts. That is there to prevent spammers and it seems to work good at that. I have been on other forums that didn't have that and there would be 5 spam posts for every real post. Roger
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Old 09-07-18, 08:01 AM
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That sounds useful but I was choosing a photo from my library not a url lol oh well maybe this is my tenth.
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Old 09-07-18, 08:02 AM
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That was nine this is ten
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Old 09-07-18, 08:04 AM
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Still no lol
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Old 09-10-18, 01:16 PM
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Bike Snobs in Beach Cruisers?

Originally Posted by Jax Rhapsody
Those crappy tires are hardly fast... .

Hey it's just my opinion with more miles on a cruiser than you are alive (most likely by the way you talk and insult other members) these tires are not "crappy" they are totally suitable for a bar crawling cruiser which I might add are not known for their "handling" abilities. Why you feel the need to belittle me for my opinion I have no clue but it's not okay and I will push back every time. The OP knows little about the subject so I thought my years of experience would be helpful. The world's a mess because people just open their mouths and speak without thinking or type and post without thinking. You do as you like but think first isn't bad advice.

Last edited by Crossthreaded88; 09-10-18 at 01:21 PM.
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Old 09-16-18, 06:19 PM
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Nothing wrong with Duro 26x2.125 tires. Made in Taiwan. Round profile rather than the typical quarter moon style. Have a pair on one of my 26" cruisers, the other has Schwalbe Fat Franks, 26x2.3x, and in my case, the Fat Franks fit fine and no clearance problems with either brand in regards to fender, frame, or brake clearances, nor any rubbing when taking turns at speed.

I had no problem ordering either tires from my lbs or online and receive them in a few days. Just look around and do your research. Compare and then make your choice...plenty of decent tires and price points. You are the one that has to choose which tire meets your requirements/expectations.
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Old 09-25-18, 08:11 PM
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New rubber


For a "stock" rim size & really anything under 50mm Schwalbe's Big Apple or Fat Frank is a VERY nice tire. I've recently put a pair of 26" x 3.45" BOA-G vintage brown tires on a custom project, definitely on the wide side but super comfy!

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Old 09-28-18, 06:27 PM
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I use Schwalbe Fat Frank 2.35" and i like them, they're light and they handle well. The shallow tread does mean they don't last forever, though. But they're cheap, despite having effective kevlar puncture protection.

I have a pair in all-brown, currently using a pair with brown tread and a cream sidewall, and here's one on the all-cream - they're all pretty though, even the all-black, thanks to the reflective stripe..

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Old 09-30-18, 06:53 AM
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I put a set of maxxis hookworm on my Electra mulholland3i...great tire and it’s a full 2.5 inch tire...I’d like to post a picture but can’t figure it out��

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Old 09-30-18, 07:49 AM
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Originally Posted by drzdave58
I put a set of maxxis hookworm on my Electra mulholland3i...great tire and it’s a full 2.5 inch tire...I’d like to post a picture but can’t figure it out��
Quote me, and see if "Manage Attachments" appears underneath. Use that to post a pic. If it doesn't show up, wait until you hit 10 posts,...then you can put up your pic. I, personally, can't wait to see it!
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Old 10-01-18, 03:54 PM
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Mulholland 3i


Originally Posted by tds101
Quote me, and see if "Manage Attachments" appears underneath. Use that to post a pic. If it doesn't show up, wait until you hit 10 posts,...then you can put up your pic. I, personally, can't wait to see it!
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Old 10-01-18, 04:18 PM
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@drzdave58 - now that's a sweet ride,...and the Maxxis Hookworm's go with her PERFECTLY!!!
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Old 10-01-18, 05:41 PM
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Thx...yeah...I’m really pleased with the new tires...what a smooth ride!
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