Bike Friday Pocket Rocket tires
12-18-22, 03:08 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: SANTA CRUZ
Posts: 159
Bikes: 82 Univega Specialissima, Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, Kona Wheelhouse, Rocky Mtn Thunderbolt, Viner Strada Bianca, ~73 Bob Jackson, ~75 Volkscycle Mark100.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Liked 183 Times
in
73 Posts
Bike Friday Pocket Rocket tires
I am thinking of touring on my pocket rocket built in the mid 90s . The bike currently has 1 1/8" tires on it. I think wider tires would be a goid idea for touring. If there was a 1-1/4" tires available, i know they wpuld fit. However all i can find is 1-3/8 tires ( 451 iso) Has anyone ever fit tire that wide on a pocket rocket? Yes I could just buy and see. Trying avoid spending money if I can. Running 105 brakes... look mid reach.
Thanks.
Thanks.
04-11-23, 10:20 PM
#2
Rider. Wanderer. Creator.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 768
Bikes: Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, Cinelli Hobootleg, Zizzo Liberte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 389 Post(s)
Liked 772 Times
in
375 Posts
Just picked up a used Pocket Rocket with 105 brakes too. Did you ever try newer, wider tires? My bike came with 1 1/8 slicks. Wondering if I can go bigger.
Last edited by john m flores; 04-12-23 at 06:17 PM.
04-12-23, 08:11 AM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: SANTA CRUZ
Posts: 159
Bikes: 82 Univega Specialissima, Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, Kona Wheelhouse, Rocky Mtn Thunderbolt, Viner Strada Bianca, ~73 Bob Jackson, ~75 Volkscycle Mark100.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Liked 183 Times
in
73 Posts
I have not done so yet, as I need to build new wheels ( current rims 13mm inside width). I bought the rims, need the hubs and spokes and the time. I almost bought some cheap alibaba tires to try, but as noted other projects in front... Sorry, you may beat me to the punch. If you do, please post the result.
Likes For OldCoot:
06-03-23, 07:11 PM
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: SANTA CRUZ
Posts: 159
Bikes: 82 Univega Specialissima, Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, Kona Wheelhouse, Rocky Mtn Thunderbolt, Viner Strada Bianca, ~73 Bob Jackson, ~75 Volkscycle Mark100.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Liked 183 Times
in
73 Posts
Well I bought some cheap 20x1-3/8" tire to try on. Success! The rear tire is quite tight though. I may modify the brakes a hair to get more clearance.
06-03-23, 07:34 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: The Ring of Fire
Posts: 928
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 461 Post(s)
Liked 566 Times
in
355 Posts
Newer calipers offer more clearance. Here is old bike of mine with Maxxis Torch 37-451 (20 x 1 3/8") tires and Shimano 105 5800 brake calipers. Note the significantly greater clearance.
105 5800
You may get some flak from the channel gurus due to the fact that your tire, the Arisun XLR8, is a BMX racing tire. Just ignore them.
Or this may be simply quietly overlooked because, after all, it's a hallowed Bike Friday. On a BF, it's legit, to be celebrated even. On our bikes, it's an intolerable abomination. Some bikes are more equal than others around here. 😉
...yeah, you'll need newer series caliper brakes if you want more clearance.
105 5800
You may get some flak from the channel gurus due to the fact that your tire, the Arisun XLR8, is a BMX racing tire. Just ignore them.
Or this may be simply quietly overlooked because, after all, it's a hallowed Bike Friday. On a BF, it's legit, to be celebrated even. On our bikes, it's an intolerable abomination. Some bikes are more equal than others around here. 😉
...yeah, you'll need newer series caliper brakes if you want more clearance.
Last edited by Ron Damon; 06-03-23 at 08:44 PM.
Likes For Ron Damon:
06-03-23, 10:58 PM
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: SANTA CRUZ
Posts: 159
Bikes: 82 Univega Specialissima, Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, Kona Wheelhouse, Rocky Mtn Thunderbolt, Viner Strada Bianca, ~73 Bob Jackson, ~75 Volkscycle Mark100.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Liked 183 Times
in
73 Posts
Thanks for tip on new calipers. That's amazing how much extra clearance there is!
The tires were super cheap ( approx $15 from Carson City bikes), so figured a decent gamble!
The tires were super cheap ( approx $15 from Carson City bikes), so figured a decent gamble!
Likes For OldCoot:
06-27-23, 08:11 AM
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: SANTA CRUZ
Posts: 159
Bikes: 82 Univega Specialissima, Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, Kona Wheelhouse, Rocky Mtn Thunderbolt, Viner Strada Bianca, ~73 Bob Jackson, ~75 Volkscycle Mark100.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Liked 183 Times
in
73 Posts
No they don't fit...
On my pocket rocket, 20 x 1 - 3/8" tires don't fit. The new 5800 brake calipers did improve tire clearance, but after installing them, I found that the chainstays are also an issue. Silly me for not checking clearance there too before getting new calipers. So now I have upgraded calipers and same tire clearance....
06-27-23, 02:31 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: The Ring of Fire
Posts: 928
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 461 Post(s)
Liked 566 Times
in
355 Posts
On my pocket rocket, 20 x 1 - 3/8" tires don't fit. The new 5800 brake calipers did improve tire clearance, but after installing them, I found that the chainstays are also an issue. Silly me for not checking clearance there too before getting new calipers. So now I have upgraded calipers and same tire clearance....
Last edited by Ron Damon; 06-27-23 at 10:25 PM.
06-27-23, 09:29 PM
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: SANTA CRUZ
Posts: 159
Bikes: 82 Univega Specialissima, Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, Kona Wheelhouse, Rocky Mtn Thunderbolt, Viner Strada Bianca, ~73 Bob Jackson, ~75 Volkscycle Mark100.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Liked 183 Times
in
73 Posts
20 x 1 -3/8" Tires were never going to fit regardless of the calipers due to chainstay clearance. I stupidly bought new calipers thinking it would solve the clearance issue, which I did for the calipers but not the chainstay
06-27-23, 10:21 PM
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: SANTA CRUZ
Posts: 159
Bikes: 82 Univega Specialissima, Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, Kona Wheelhouse, Rocky Mtn Thunderbolt, Viner Strada Bianca, ~73 Bob Jackson, ~75 Volkscycle Mark100.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Liked 183 Times
in
73 Posts
