Tyre Help

[RyanOP]

Hi all,

I’ve picked up a free bike & just need to change the tubes & fit new rim tape & new chain.

I can see which tubes I need to buy but I’m a bit confused as to why the rim I have shows a different number to the tyre the bike had fitted.
(Images attached)

Do these need to match? I would assume so but considering they were on the bike anyway has made me a tad confused!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

26” is old sizing, 559 is the Etrto equivalent. Any tyre with 559 in its description should be fine, the 20 on the rim likely refers to the internal rim width.

 

[RyanOP]

26” is old sizing, 559 is the Etrto equivalent. Any tyre with 559 in its description should be fine, the 20 on the rim likely refers to the internal rim width.

View attachment 685702

Brilliant thank you for your help @Ming the Merciless & the quick reply!
So basically I just have very wide tyres currently.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Brilliant thank you for your help @Ming the Merciless & the quick reply!
So basically I just have very wide tyres currently.

1.95” width tyres were fairly typical on mountain bikes about 20 years ago. They were all 26” / 559 wheels back then. I think 2.2” or even 2.3” is nearer the norm now, but I no longer have a mtn bike in my stable.

 

[RyanOP]

So for tubes then - am I correct that I’d need to be looking for a 26 x 1.8 to 1.9? Assuming the tube is a lower width than the tyre… 🤔 @Ming the Merciless

 

[Ming the Merciless]

So for tubes then - am I correct that I’d need to be looking for a 26 x 1.8 to 1.9? Assuming the tube is a lower width than the tyre… 🤔 @Ming the Merciless

Most tubes are designed to fit a range of widths. Thus you’ll likely find something 26 x 1.5 - 2.1 (roughly 42-54 - 559 in etrto) to fit that tyre.

 

[RyanOP]

Most tubes are designed to fit a range of widths. Thus you’ll likely find something 26 x 1.5 - 2.1 (roughly 42-54 - 559 in etrto) to fit that tyre.

Thanks again - panicked that I’d ordered the wrong tubes but looks like I’m ok 😅

 

[RyanOP]

Last question! I’ve got 16x559 rim tape, is that too narrow? Should I have ordered 18mm?

 

[Jameshow]

That sort of riding are you planning on doing. This will determine the tyres you buy.

Knoblies ones for off road.

Semi slick for trails

Slicks for road.

You should w able to get some for £10 each off eBay wiggle Amazon etc.

 

[vickster]

That sort of riding are you planning on doing. This will determine the tyres you buy.

Knoblies ones for off road.

Semi slick for trails

Slicks for road.

You should w able to get some for £10 each off eBay wiggle Amazon etc.

OP doesn’t say he wants new tyres though? Just tubes and rim tape

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Last question! I’ve got 16x559 rim tape, is that too narrow? Should I have ordered 18mm?

For tubes you general want the rim tape width to match the inner rim width. Thus you want 20x559 rim tape. Yes 16mm is too narrow for that rim.

 

[Big John]

Last question! I’ve got 16x559 rim tape, is that too narrow? Should I have ordered 18mm?

I get my rim tape these days from work but previously I've always used insulation tape and never had a problem. The price of rim tape is out of reach for some of us poor old pensioners 😉

 

[RyanOP]

Thanks for the help everyone - I got my tubes, tape & tyres all fitted only to ride & find out my seat is too low. Now I've discovered the seat post is stuck & likely fused to the frame tubing - the same problem I had with my last freebie bike...

 

[richardfm]

When working on donated bikes at the not for profit cycle workshop that I volunteer at, after checking the frame, the next thing on the list to check is the seat post.