New wheel/tire recommendations
04-22-24, 06:49 PM
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New wheel/tire recommendations
Hey all. With spring springing I'm looking at getting my bike tuned up, but it needs some changes. It's an early 90s Schwinn Crosspoint, currently rocking Wobler GTX2 rims and 700cc road tires.
They've recently torn up some old railroads in my county and turned them into gravel trails (small gravel), and a lot of cyclists use them. I'd like to get new wheels and tires I can use on these trails, as I don't think what I've got is appropriate. I should add, I'm about 265 lbs, so that factors in to what I replace them with.
I'm pretty new to all this, so I appreciate any advice on new kit. Budget is $300 and under.
They've recently torn up some old railroads in my county and turned them into gravel trails (small gravel), and a lot of cyclists use them. I'd like to get new wheels and tires I can use on these trails, as I don't think what I've got is appropriate. I should add, I'm about 265 lbs, so that factors in to what I replace them with.
I'm pretty new to all this, so I appreciate any advice on new kit. Budget is $300 and under.
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04-22-24, 07:13 PM
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First of all, depending on how "road" the tires are, you may be ok. But if they're original, it's time to replace. I've ridden Gatorskins & Gatorskin Hardshells with no problem. They come up to 32c.
Next I'd look at Continental Urban or Taraxum 35c or Pasela Protites in the largest size your bike will fit, plus new tube. That's $100-$125. Get new rim strips $15 for Velox cloth.
Then oil the spoke nipples, tension the wheels and ride until they start popping spokes.
Save a few more dollars while you're having fun starting riding again, and look at Velomine for a set of CR-18 rimmed wheels with formula or Shimano hubs ($175 + cassette) and you're set. Or just get a used pair off ebay.
Next I'd look at Continental Urban or Taraxum 35c or Pasela Protites in the largest size your bike will fit, plus new tube. That's $100-$125. Get new rim strips $15 for Velox cloth.
Then oil the spoke nipples, tension the wheels and ride until they start popping spokes.
Save a few more dollars while you're having fun starting riding again, and look at Velomine for a set of CR-18 rimmed wheels with formula or Shimano hubs ($175 + cassette) and you're set. Or just get a used pair off ebay.
Last edited by stevel610; 04-22-24 at 07:32 PM.
04-22-24, 09:43 PM
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Hey all. With spring springing I'm looking at getting my bike tuned up, but it needs some changes. It's an early 90s Schwinn Crosspoint, currently rocking Wobler GTX2 rims and 700cc road tires.
They've recently torn up some old railroads in my county and turned them into gravel trails (small gravel), and a lot of cyclists use them. I'd like to get new wheels and tires I can use on these trails, as I don't think what I've got is appropriate. I should add, I'm about 265 lbs, so that factors in to what I replace them with.
I'm pretty new to all this, so I appreciate any advice on new kit. Budget is $300 and under.
They've recently torn up some old railroads in my county and turned them into gravel trails (small gravel), and a lot of cyclists use them. I'd like to get new wheels and tires I can use on these trails, as I don't think what I've got is appropriate. I should add, I'm about 265 lbs, so that factors in to what I replace them with.
I'm pretty new to all this, so I appreciate any advice on new kit. Budget is $300 and under.
It's already a red flag if you think you need to replace a perfectly good wheelset.
Why not visit a LBS that can explain to you in conversational depth about all their tyres?
04-23-24, 03:24 PM
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Hey all. With spring springing I'm looking at getting my bike tuned up, but it needs some changes. It's an early 90s Schwinn Crosspoint, currently rocking Wobler GTX2 rims and 700cc road tires.
They've recently torn up some old railroads in my county and turned them into gravel trails (small gravel), and a lot of cyclists use them. I'd like to get new wheels and tires I can use on these trails, as I don't think what I've got is appropriate. I should add, I'm about 265 lbs, so that factors in to what I replace them with.
I'm pretty new to all this, so I appreciate any advice on new kit. Budget is $300 and under.
They've recently torn up some old railroads in my county and turned them into gravel trails (small gravel), and a lot of cyclists use them. I'd like to get new wheels and tires I can use on these trails, as I don't think what I've got is appropriate. I should add, I'm about 265 lbs, so that factors in to what I replace them with.
I'm pretty new to all this, so I appreciate any advice on new kit. Budget is $300 and under.
04-23-24, 03:30 PM
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It's sort of an old wives tale that you should avoid a wide tire on a narrow rim. For light gravel, a 32mm gravel tire should work fine on those rims.
So figure out what size tire will fit in the frame, and start shopping for tires online. In my experience, you can save a ton of money by doing the research yourself and buying online.
So figure out what size tire will fit in the frame, and start shopping for tires online. In my experience, you can save a ton of money by doing the research yourself and buying online.
04-23-24, 03:36 PM
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If you're looking at modern hookless rims, yes. But with your old hooked rims, which are pretty wide, a 32 will work with no issues. You could probably use a 35 as well, if it fits in your frame.
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04-23-24, 08:02 PM
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been a while since I got a close look at an early 90’s Schwinn cross - but I believe they were equipped with 700 x 38 tires (?)
Panaracer Gravel King SS (SS semi slick ; not the slick version) in a 700 x 35 or 700 x 38 would be good option (the 700 x 35 GK SS can run big - approx 37 mm installed) … they are available in a brown wall which would look good on the green / tan Crosspoint
( possibly a 2024 Gravel King SS R in 700 x 35 or 40 - ? - but I have not seen the 2024 models yet )
Continental Terra Speed 700 x 40 would be another good option …they run small - so could be around 38 mm installed … this tire is available in tan wall which would look great on the green / tan Crosspoint
Panaracer Gravel King SS (SS semi slick ; not the slick version) in a 700 x 35 or 700 x 38 would be good option (the 700 x 35 GK SS can run big - approx 37 mm installed) … they are available in a brown wall which would look good on the green / tan Crosspoint
( possibly a 2024 Gravel King SS R in 700 x 35 or 40 - ? - but I have not seen the 2024 models yet )
Continental Terra Speed 700 x 40 would be another good option …they run small - so could be around 38 mm installed … this tire is available in tan wall which would look great on the green / tan Crosspoint
Last edited by t2p; 04-23-24 at 08:22 PM.
