juntjoo

I'm planning on getting new tires but do I need them like yesterday?

thumpism 

Don't ride farther from home than you want to walk back.

juntjoo

Well them to Walmart for a tire is my next stop. They got two of my size, 27'. Would you upgrade to 700c?i just learned I have a dying size.

ClydeClydeson

I generally don't mind riding cracked or weathered or repaired tires. I wouldn't ride that.


As a rule, if you can 'feel' the wobble in a tire when riding (as I am sure you can with that) then the casing is damaged and it needs replacing.

ClydeClydeson

If the bike is special or high quality or you intend to keep it for a long time then an upgrade to 700C is not a bad idea. But if it is a lower cost bike just for rippin' around town, then stick with 27".

Something to keep in mind is that moving from 27" to 700 is that the smaller wheel size changes the leverage of the brakes and (in the case of 'caliper' brakes, or any brake where the pivot is above the rim) you need to apply more force at the lever to get the same braking force. It might be a minor change or it might be more significant, but it does change.

THe other advantage of 700c wheels, aside from increased tire selection, is that it gives you a few extra mm of tire clearance, so if you could only fit 1-1/4" (32mm) wide tires with 27", you can fit 35mm or 38mm tires with 700c wheels.

Andrew R Stewart 

"I'm planning on getting new tires but do I need them like yesterday?" juntjoo

Yes. Andy

pdlamb

Just to clarify, to "upgrade" from 27" to 700c will require new wheels. So $40-60 for new 27" tires, and maybe $300 for new wheels + new tires, your choice.

alcjphil

Well then, you would also need new wheels

curbtender

and longer reach brakes.

Senior Ryder 00 

“A disaster waiting to happen!”

Dan Burkhart 

That would require new wheels and possibly new brakes. There are enough options out there in 27" tires to keep you rolling.

KerryIrons

Not yesterday, but today.

CliffordK

27" has been a dying size for nearly 50 years. I wouldn't worry about them disappearing any time soon. If you can't find them at Walmart, try your local bike shop. Or buy tires online before they get as bad as the photo.

As mentioned, to go to 700c, you'll need new rims (wheels unless you choose to rebuild). Plus your brake pads are already at the lowest place, so you'll also need new brake calipers.

I wouldn't encourage doing the swap to 700c, unless you have something very specific in mind like moving to fatter tires like 700c x 35mm or 700c x 40mm.

Assuming you keep the 27" tires, make sure your brake pads are adjusted so they are parallel to the rim. It appears as if the left pad is tipped up in the front slightly. That is the quickest way to destroy a new set of tires!!!

dedhed

Maybe. filing slots or drop pads are an option if there isn't enough adjustment.

​​​​​​https://bdopcycling.com/product/bdop...rs-pair-black/

squirtdad

may be worth doing on line order to get a bit better tire than what might be in stock https://www.walmart.com/ip/Panaracer...-Tire/31979003

rumrunn6

you're fine fine until the tube starts bulging thru. they sure don't make tires like they used

rumrunn6

go for it, if you can't wait. otherwise, Amazon has lots that size, from name brands, that would probably better. just curious, what brand & model are those tires? how old are they?

juntjoo

Just grabbed these. $20 a piece. I found some knobby ones on Amazon I liked for the terrain variety but then settled on these to keep it strict on-road. They LOOK/feel pretty good to me but what would I know. I'm happy with em. They advertise "anti-puncture tech" so that's gotta count for something!

rumrunn6

if the tubes you have now are OK, you can save the new ones. or put the new ones in & save the old ones

Troul 

Overnight would work.

Andrew R Stewart 

and as one who is old enough to have ridden natural fiber tires (cotton, silk casing threads, some with natural rubber tread caps) I will say "thank you that current tires are different". Modern tires are vastly more durable and can be more flat resistant that those of yesteryear. We have many more options (the 630 ISO size is the exception) in the common sizes than we had years ago.

The issue with the OP's tire is not how well made they were but how old it is, how much UV it has baked under and what was its intended useful life. Andy

CliffordK

It is worthwhile to look at the rim strips at the same time.

I've had plastic ones that disintegrated with age.
And rubber ones are frequently suboptimal, and often tear at the valve stems.
Cloth strips can probably hold up to the age, if the glue is still good.

Gresp15C

I continue to ride 2 bikes with 27" wheels. The time to abandon 27" is when I actually need new tires and can no longer get them. With luck, the OP has bought themselves a few years to think about it.

To accommodate 700c wheels, the brakes need an additional 4 mm in the slots, check both front and back. That can be investigated at leisure. But judging from the pic, either the pads are mis-aligned, or it's a bad camera angle.

rumrunn6

approx. 15 years ago, I needed a weekend project, drove to the next state for a $25 bike from the '70s, gave the guy $20 & he was pissed but took the deal anyway. he said he didn't know anyway thing about the flat tires. gave the bike the once-over at home, the tires appeared to be original but I pumped them up to full pressure & they held air. took it for a 34 mile round trip test commute, got about 10 miles from home when I heard threads popping, the tubes was starting to push through the sidewalls, turned around & made it home another 10 miles. so those tires were 32? years old? I'm guessing waaaay older that the OP's. anyway, I was impressed with those old tires

Chuck M 

I'm surprised that Wally World had 27" tires of any kind in stock. Around here I can't even find them in bike shops.