plympton

Thank you all. I think I'll go with the 16mm velox. Now what about the tyres? I don't want top of the line, I'm not a cyclist, but I do want good tyres. Bell, Kenda or another?

noglider 

I had Schwalbe Delta Cruiser tires on my 3-speed and didn't like them. I replaced them with Kenda tires, which felt much nicer. It's odd, because I thought the expensiver tires would be nicer.

BigChief

+1 I like the Kenda tires.

gster

Agreed.

gster

I've been using theses inexpensive ($16-18.00) Chinese Chaoyang tires.
The tread pattern is quite nice.
p1000291.jpg

thumpism 

I have sold Kenda tires retail and wholesale and use them even today. In my experience finding one with a bump, bulge or tread squiggle is not uncommon.

JaccoW

Most people seem to prefer lighter, more flexible tires on their bikes. A thicker leak resistant layer doesn't help in that regard.

Now I'm not sure how expensive the Kenda's are but those Schwalbe's are like €10-12 each in Europe.

browngw 

There are many trail systems in our area that have a crushed limestone surface. Most of these rail trails connect towns in our area and are used by nearly everyone. The crushed stone on the shoulders of the road are also limestone. Shards of stone are the number one reason for flats. I don't like flats! My experience with Kenda tires in all sizes here is they tend to flat too easily. The Schwalbes don't. Again, I don't like flats. Our local shops carry Kenda because they are cheap and bike tire prices are getting out of hand here. Shipping costs make internet purchases pricey as well.

gster

Hey!
Page 600!
Congratulations!

adventurepdx

Just wanted to note: We are at 600 pages!

adventurepdx

This question comes up a lot. It's probably been talked about several times within this thread, though trying to dig through everything in this thread isn't the easiest. And there are other threads in BF about it, too.

Anyways, I've basically used Schwalbe Delta Cruisers and Panaracer Col De La Vies, so here is my two cents.

Schwalbe Delta Cruisers

PROS:

• Pretty affordable
• Come in a variety of colors (cream!)
• Fairly puncture resistant
• Fairly easy to find

CONS:

• Don't have the softest ride
• Can be difficult to mount

Panaracer Col De La Vie

PROS:

• Widest tire in 650A size
• Nicest ride because of (relative) suppleness
• Cool blocky tread pattern looks right at home on vintage bikes

CONS:

• Flat protection? Ha!
• Harder to source these tires

Besides these two, other offerings are shades of OK, but no one really talks about them.
I've had a set of Kenda Nimbus on my Rudge and liked them fine.

ascherer 

I like the Col de la Vies. I've not had flat problems, mostly commuting and fun rides around NYC, with occasional gravel. I put a set of Michelin World Tours on my wife's Sports, and they look fine. Can't speak to their performance as I haven't ridden hers. I've tried Kendas and didn't like them much, compared to the Panaracers.

ThermionicScott 

I've started developing "tire snob" tendencies with some of my bikes -- paying attention to tpi, tread pattern (file tread please) and depth, overall tire weight, etc.

But I've come to realize that this thinking would be misplaced on our English 3-speeds. Many of them originally came with Dunlop Sprites or Sports, which had prominent tread patterns and rubber-coated sidewalls. (See this great blog post: https://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/2016...tires-iso.html) These bikes were meant to be no-frills, dependable transportation, so fragile sidewalls and thin treads are OUT. My Armstrong 3-speed came to me with these Kenda/Nimbus tires: https://www.niagaracycle.com/categor...-gum-wall-k830 and while not "supple" or "light" they ride well enough, and suit the character of the bike.

- Scott

plympton

Thanks to all for the tire info. I'll print out the posts and do my research. I'm not a true cyclest (or is it cycleor). From my cabin to the store is 1/2 mile. 1/3 smooth tar, 1/3 rutty tire and 2/6 sandy dirt. If I wanted to go for a short ride there is a 1/2 hard packed dirt road. Otherwise everything in western Maine is uphill. So that's what the tires would have to handle.

adventurepdx

I hear ya. But...it's really hard to be a "tire snob" with 590/650A/26" x 1 3/8" tires, since the selection isn't that big, or expensive.

For instance, I found Col De La Vies, considered by many to be the "best" 650A tire, for as low as $15.99 plus shipping. $15.99! That's just $3.24 more than those Sunlite/Kenda Nimbus tires you linked.
PANARACER TIRES PAN RANDONNEE 26x1-3/8 650A AW650A-LX

Heck, you can get basic black Schwalbe Delta Cruisers direct from Schwalbe for $18 plus shipping.
https://www.schwalbetires.com/produc...any_to_one=All

I think the only way to get expensive is get Schwalbe Marathon Plus. They will probably not flat, but also not be the softest of rides.
https://www.schwalbetires.com/node/389

ThermionicScott 

Wow, that is a good price. I feel like I paid $18-19 each before shipping!

But yeah, I rode Col de la Vie's for a whole brevet season, including a Paris-Brest-Paris. They're certainly not bad tires for their intended purpose.

nlerner

Cycles Grand Bois in Japan sells a couple of different 650a x 32mm tires that look really interesting:

650A CYCLES GRAND BOIS ? **********(CyclesGrandBois web-shop)

The Renard in extra light casing and a tread similar to the Panaracer Pasela is around $32 each. I’ve ordered 650b tires and other parts from them, and shipping is usually around $15.

BigChief

Kenda makes a nice looking brown 590 but is only available in Europe. (as far as I know) too bad. I'd like them for my next project

https://www.ridewill.it/p/en/kenda-9...8-brown/31231/

JohnDThompson 

That's a good price on a good tire.

johnnyspaghetti

I can get it for $20 a step threw mid sixty in perfect condition. in a airplane hanger because it was this guys hanger. He has more but I was not interested but should be for the American tank bikes.

BigChief

I gave in to the urge and brought home a 50s Schwinn from a neighbor's barn a while back. Well, most of a 50s Schwinn. It was missing it's fenders and chainguard. I cleaned up the wheel bearings and bottom bracket, put some air in the tires and gave it a try. Horrible. Lesson learned...don't bother fixing old bikes unless they're fun to ride.

browngw 

This mid 90's Schwinn cruiser was my only experience with this type of bike. (other than a ladies resale). Pictured here, myself and the bike on a spring ride. By July it was sold at the Canadian Vintage Bicycle Show. It was previously owned by an older gentleman who rode it to the Post Office box everyday. I would not seek out another one.

johnnyspaghetti

I like it

browngw 

Recently I acquired a "pail 'o parts" from a fellow collector of CCM bikes. He thought some of it might be SA. A lot of it was cones axles nuts washers etc that did not appear British. I found some definitely Sturmey Archer parts but have no idea what to do with it. The axles seem long at 6 1/4" Any help is appreciated and if someone needs a part pictured, please let me know.

browngw 

Parts continued........