Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Finding the right 26x1 3/8 tire

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Finding the right 26x1 3/8 tire

Old 06-13-21, 06:36 PM
  #1  
MostlyClueless
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 7
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Finding the right 26x1 3/8 tire

My son picked up an Iverson Grand Sport 10 Speed and has been riding it around at his college. It's basically in OK shape with some needed upgrades (brake pads etc) so I've been helping him fix it up. He managed to puncture a tire thanks to a piece of glass on the road, but now I find I'm not sure what kind of tires to get. They're 26 x 1 3/8, but I gather there are several different tires with that size that might not be compatible? I was hoping I could get a manufacturer or part number but there is nothing, at least nothing legible. What we have is:

Made in Indonesia
The special high pressure tyre
Nylon
26 x 1 3/8
Inflate to 75-85 PSI

Can anyone suggest what might be good replacement tires? Or give me some pointers for what I could look for that would give me better information to make a choice?
MostlyClueless is offline  
Old 06-13-21, 06:49 PM
  #2  
dedhed
SE Wis
 
dedhed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,516

Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970

Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2731 Post(s)
Liked 3,361 Times in 2,034 Posts
Look for a ERTO (ISO) # on the sidewall, should be something like 37-590. 26 X 1 3/8 are usually 590 BSD (bead seat diameter)
Shop by using 26 x 1 3/8 590

Harder to find one that is "high pressure" most are 50-65 psi

​​​​​​https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/26.html
dedhed is offline  
Likes For dedhed:
Old 06-13-21, 07:07 PM
  #3  
cxwrench
Senior Member
 
cxwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767

Bikes: lots

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times in 1,489 Posts
If he flatted just replace the tube...is the tire so damaged it can't be used anymore?
cxwrench is offline  
Old 06-13-21, 10:36 PM
  #4  
meb
Senior Member
 
meb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: arlington, VA
Posts: 1,764
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by dedhed
Look for a ERTO (ISO) # on the sidewall, should be something like 37-590. 26 X 1 3/8 are usually 590 BSD (bead seat diameter)
Shop by using 26 x 1 3/8 590

Harder to find one that is "high pressure" most are 50-65 psi

​​​​​​https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/26.html

Given the age of the bike, it might be pre-ISO/ERTO.
You measure the diameter at the hook-ridge if there are no standard markings on the side.
26 x 1 3/8 also appears on the 571, bead-I have one on a recumbent and it is fairly common with recumbents-though I suspect OP has a 590-597 bead.
meb is offline  
Old 06-14-21, 07:55 AM
  #5  
Crankycrank
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,651
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 835 Post(s)
Liked 1,056 Times in 741 Posts
If you're lucky the ISO-ERTO might be listed on the rim or if you know the rim brand and model you may be able to find it with a search.
Crankycrank is offline  
Old 06-14-21, 08:28 AM
  #6  
Iride01 
I'm good to go!
 
Iride01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,811

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6100 Post(s)
Liked 4,732 Times in 3,262 Posts
Originally Posted by meb
Given the age of the bike, it might be pre-ISO/ERTO.
You measure the diameter at the hook-ridge if there are no standard markings on the side.
26 x 1 3/8 also appears on the 571, bead-I have one on a recumbent and it is fairly common with recumbents-though I suspect OP has a 590-597 bead.
ETRTO was around long before that bike was made in the 70's. I might agree that if the tires are original, then they may not have the ISO/ETRTO number stamped on them.

Though that's rare. I can't think of any time I didn't find the ETRTO or some corruption of it stamped or embossed in the very tiny print on the tire sidewall. But I certainly can't swear to it.
Iride01 is offline  
Likes For Iride01:
Old 06-14-21, 03:38 PM
  #7  
meb
Senior Member
 
meb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: arlington, VA
Posts: 1,764
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by Iride01
ETRTO was around long before that bike was made in the 70's. I might agree that if the tires are original, then they may not have the ISO/ETRTO number stamped on them.

Though that's rare. I can't think of any time I didn't find the ETRTO or some corruption of it stamped or embossed in the very tiny print on the tire sidewall. But I certainly can't swear to it.
I have a 68 Schwinn Varsity and a 73 Schwinn Super Sport that do not have those numbers on the tires.
I have a 78 Raleigh Super Grand Prix that does.
meb is offline  
Old 06-14-21, 10:05 PM
  #8  
veganbikes
Clark W. Griswold
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,280

Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4253 Post(s)
Liked 3,866 Times in 2,579 Posts
Find a tire that looks exactly the same and make sure the ISO number matches up assuming there is one. You might even take it to the local shop and see if they can confirm sizing. 26 1x3/8 is a miserable bunch of sizes
veganbikes is offline  
Old 06-14-21, 10:12 PM
  #9  
70sSanO
Senior Member
 
70sSanO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,772

Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1936 Post(s)
Liked 2,150 Times in 1,313 Posts
Just measure the bead diameter. Convert it to mm. It will give you what you need.

John
70sSanO is offline  
Old 06-15-21, 03:44 AM
  #10  
oldukbkr 
Newbie
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 49

Bikes: '59 Rory O'Brien, 49/72 Holdsworth Trike, '66 Bates BAR, '74 Bob Jackson

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Liked 26 Times in 13 Posts
When folks tell you different sizes might not be compatible most likely they are referring to fractional vs decimal. A tire with the width labeled as fractional, i.e. 1 1/4, has a different diameter than a tire labeled as decimal, i.e. 1.25. Seems crazy I know because you can put a different width tire on the same wheel assuming there is room between the forks. So you can go with 26 x 1 1/2 or 26 x 1 1/4 on your wheel instead of the 26 x 1 3/8. But if you use a tire labeled as 26 x 1.5 or 26 x 1.25 it won’t fit.
oldukbkr is offline  
Old 06-15-21, 06:22 AM
  #11  
tcs
Palmer
 
tcs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,580

Bikes: Mike Melton custom, 1982 Stumpjumper, Alex Moulton AM, 2010 Dawes Briercliffe, 2017 Dahon Curl i8, 2021 Motobecane Turino 1x12

Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1646 Post(s)
Liked 1,785 Times in 1,041 Posts
Originally Posted by dedhed
26 x 1 3/8 590

Harder to find one that is "high pressure" most are 50-65 psi
If high pressure 26 x 1 3/8 is your bag:

Bontrager T1 max pressure 120psi.
Specialized RoadSport max pressure 90psi

For a real bang, mount these on a rim without a hooked bead.

Last edited by tcs; 06-15-21 at 06:37 AM.
tcs is offline  
Old 06-15-21, 06:37 AM
  #12  
tcs
Palmer
 
tcs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,580

Bikes: Mike Melton custom, 1982 Stumpjumper, Alex Moulton AM, 2010 Dawes Briercliffe, 2017 Dahon Curl i8, 2021 Motobecane Turino 1x12

Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1646 Post(s)
Liked 1,785 Times in 1,041 Posts
Originally Posted by MostlyClueless
Can anyone suggest what might be good replacement tires?
Okay, COVID bike boom. Everybody's sold out of everything.

Great ISO37x590mm (a.k.a. 26 x 1 3/8 a.k.a EA3 a.k.a. 650A <--all samesame) tires:

Continental City Ride II (AFAIK they only make a run of these every few years.)
Panaracer Col de Vie
Schwalbe Delta Cruiser
Schwalbe Marathon


At your local Walmart or Target you can find (when they're in stock) either:
Bell Sports Flat Defense (folding)
Goodyear Road (folding)

Highly recommend these folding tires only be mounted on hook bead rims!
tcs is offline  
Old 06-15-21, 07:26 AM
  #13  
dedhed
SE Wis
 
dedhed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,516

Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970

Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2731 Post(s)
Liked 3,361 Times in 2,034 Posts
Originally Posted by oldukbkr
When folks tell you different sizes might not be compatible most likely they are referring to fractional vs decimal. A tire with the width labeled as fractional, i.e. 1 1/4, has a different diameter than a tire labeled as decimal, i.e. 1.25. Seems crazy I know because you can put a different width tire on the same wheel assuming there is room between the forks. So you can go with 26 x 1 1/2 or 26 x 1 1/4 on your wheel instead of the 26 x 1 3/8. But if you use a tire labeled as 26 x 1.5 or 26 x 1.25 it won’t fit.
Those will most likely be !SO 571 or 597 BSD and will not fit.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
dedhed is offline  
Old 10-29-21, 01:10 PM
  #14  
ridden
Newbie
 
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I recently purchased a 26" rear wheel for my Raleigh Mountain Bike, that I have owned for 30+ years.

'Normal' size 26" Tyre's (599) fit my Bike Wheels. This recent 26" (without a Tyre) wheel purchase has too big a diameter, making it a bigger wheel (slightly).

I inquired into the seller what the correct size of this 26" wheel was, and they mentioned it was 26 x 1.3/8. The 1.3/8 dimension was not provided originally.

Bikefactorywhaleybridge on Ebay have informed me that 26" x 1.3/8 wheels are bigger that the normal 26".

Ordered a Tyre and inner tube from them.
ridden is offline  
Old 10-29-21, 03:38 PM
  #15  
Bill Kapaun
Really Old Senior Member
 
Bill Kapaun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Mid Willamette Valley, Orygun
Posts: 13,824

Bikes: 87 RockHopper,2008 Specialized Globe. Both upgraded to 9 speeds.

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1774 Post(s)
Liked 1,231 Times in 852 Posts
Originally Posted by ridden
I recently purchased a 26" rear wheel for my Raleigh Mountain Bike, that I have owned for 30+ years.

'Normal' size 26" Tyre's (599) fit my Bike Wheels. This recent 26" (without a Tyre) wheel purchase has too big a diameter, making it a bigger wheel (slightly).

I inquired into the seller what the correct size of this 26" wheel was, and they mentioned it was 26 x 1.3/8. The 1.3/8 dimension was not provided originally.

Bikefactorywhaleybridge on Ebay have informed me that 26" x 1.3/8 wheels are bigger that the normal 26".

Ordered a Tyre and inner tube from them.
Your brakes probably won't have the correct reach.
Bill Kapaun is offline  
Old 10-29-21, 05:54 PM
  #16  
Iride01 
I'm good to go!
 
Iride01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,811

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6100 Post(s)
Liked 4,732 Times in 3,262 Posts
Originally Posted by ridden
I recently purchased a 26" rear wheel for my Raleigh Mountain Bike, that I have owned for 30+ years.

'Normal' size 26" Tyre's (599) fit my Bike Wheels. This recent 26" (without a Tyre) wheel purchase has too big a diameter, making it a bigger wheel (slightly).

I inquired into the seller what the correct size of this 26" wheel was, and they mentioned it was 26 x 1.3/8. The 1.3/8 dimension was not provided originally.

Bikefactorywhaleybridge on Ebay have informed me that 26" x 1.3/8 wheels are bigger that the normal 26".

Ordered a Tyre and inner tube from them.
It looks like you knew the important part of the equation. The 599. That is the BSD, bead seat diameter in millimeters.... if that in fact is what was on the tire that fit that rim or is stamped or printed on the rim.

If that's your tire and rim's BSD, then you must have a very old bike. More common BSD's for tires calling them 26" is 559, usually on mountain bikes, along with 597, 590, 584 and 571... maybe some others.

So when you look for 26" tires (tyres) take time to look for the ISO/ETRTO size that is also stamped or embossed on them in very tiny letters. Then you'll know if they fit your rim. If they aren't in the spec's on the website you are buying from, then call or take a look at the actual tire manufacturers site and see what BSD sizes they make that particular tire in.
Iride01 is offline  

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


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

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

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.