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Please Help a New Bike Commuter Choose Tires, Tubes, Etc.

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Please Help a New Bike Commuter Choose Tires, Tubes, Etc.

Old 03-26-16, 06:28 PM
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realperson
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Please Help a New Bike Commuter Choose Tires, Tubes, Etc.

I'm planning on commuting to university about 3.5 miles away. I have a 1985 Schwinn World Sport road bike. The tires seem to be original and are very thin. I have tested out my route a few times and every time ended up with a flat back tire. Upon close examination I found glass and metal in my tires. My route consists of roads with wide bike lanes and a very nice bike trail. The road with the bike lanes often has broken glass and other rubbish unfriendly to bike tires.
What tires and tubes should I be using for a ride like this? Any other recommendation for a new bike commuter?
Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
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Old 03-26-16, 06:49 PM
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SalsaShark
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Schwalbe Marathon tires are quite good concerning flat protection. Heavy duty tubes can help ward off flats from thorns and such.
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Old 03-26-16, 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by SalsaShark
Schwalbe Marathon tires are quite good concerning flat protection. Heavy duty tubes can help ward off flats from thorns and such.
I looked at Schwalbe's website. Now I'm seriously considering some Schwalbe tires. Thanks for the recommendation.
I went to my local bike shop and wasn't impressed with what I found for tires or tubes. They actually didn't have any tires for 27 x 1 1/4.
Any recommendations on tubes?
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Old 03-26-16, 08:25 PM
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I like Schwalbe tubes and tires, but as you have discovered they only do a couple of 27" tires that are rarely if ever carried by LBS.
I like the Panaracer Pasala TG in 27" which are easier to find but still not common in LBS.

When all else fails, there's always Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Panaracer-Pase.../dp/B001CK2DZM
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Old 03-26-16, 10:53 PM
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Continental Gatorskins are another option, although I don't think that they are the cheapest one out there. Specialized also offers the Armadillo tire as well.
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Old 03-26-16, 11:22 PM
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Continental contact ii s are fairly robust and I know they come in 27. I only have 200 ish miles on mine, in wintery conditions, but I've pulled quite a few nasty glass pieces and other cruddy debris that would have flattened some other tires I've ridden
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Old 03-27-16, 07:26 AM
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Tire liners (like Mr. Tuffy's) are very inexpensive and make any tires puncture resistant. Been using them for years.
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Old 03-27-16, 09:33 AM
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Specialized tires.

Infinity Armadillo or Nimbus Armadillo. Whatever model you choose, it must be the "Armadillo" version. Use their "Airlock" tubes for ultimate protection.


-Kedosto
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Old 03-27-16, 10:55 AM
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Either one of these tires will be an upgrade:
Vittoria Zaffiro 27 Inch Road Tire

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...inch-road-tire

Panaracer Pasela Road Tire 27 Inch

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...d-tire-27-inch


Alternately,
Order longer reach brake calipers and then run 700c wheels and tires. Lighter than old 27's for the most part and can change rear to cassette and space as needed. Tiagra hubs and Velocity Dyad, Sun CR18, Mavic Open Sport hoops are all of good quality and cost effective wheel upgrades. 700c tire choices and availability are greater...

Edit:
If you go the 700c route, recommend running new brake cables and going with modern affordable Tektro brake levers w/ hoods and better pull. Shifters of your choice and position on bike. Rewrap new bar setup, dial in drivetrain and brakes, adjust tension on spokes and hubs.
New to you bike !



Last edited by AusTexMurf; 03-27-16 at 11:12 AM.
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Old 03-28-16, 03:34 PM
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27" wheels are a near-obsolete standard. Tires can be found, but not in nearly the variety of prices and capabilities and styles that "700C" tires. Assuming you don't want to replace your wheels, you might be able to stop, or at least mostly reduce, flats with a liner like Mr Tuffy or similar from another brand.
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Old 03-28-16, 04:06 PM
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Thank you all for your recommendations. I bought some nice 27" Schwalbe tires. I'll probably look into getting some tire liner too. Is it redundant to have puncture resistant tires and tire liners? I'm also considering changing out the drop bar handlebars but don't like what I've seen so far, especially at some of the high prices I've been seeing. I'll probably work on incremental upgrades.
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