Did 20" bike tires change?

So, I've got this cool old Schwinn Stingray tandem (banana seats, single speed, high rise handlebars) that's about 40 years old (I am the original owner), and I thought I'd clean it up so my kids could enjoy riding it and learning to sing that song about a "...bicycle built for two".

Of course, the original tires were rotted, so I picked up some new ones.

But there is NO WAY they are going to fit on the rims.

The original tires were 20x 1.75 on the front, and 20x 2.125 on the rear. The new tires I bought were 20", but they said they'd fit on multiple widths (they were the only available option for 20" tires).

I did buy them at StuffMart (with my apologies to ECM and others), but there were no other options.

I'm thinking that a "standard" modern 20" tire is generally for a freestyle bike (which didn't exist 40 years ago), and that the "standard" 20" tire 40 years ago had a smaller aspect ratio- that is to say the tires are still 20" tall, but the tires are fatter and so the rims are now smaller.

Sound close?

Can I buy the next biggest size? Would I then use 20" tubes with 22" tires? Do I have to special order vintage bicycle tires? Would life go better if I just did business with ECM for anything bicycle related?

Thanks!

Ah, the fun of fixin' up old Schwinns. Those tires are Scwhinn specific, and the new tires, even with the same or similar size designation won't fit, as you have found out. Post up all of the numbers on the sidewalls, and don't convert fractions to decimals, including anything like S-6 or S-7, and I can give you some assistance sourcing them. They are not easy to find at all the bike shops, even a Schwinn dealer since Schwinns are now sold at department stores. I can cut you a decent rate on shipping.

W.W.S.B.D?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire_sizing.html

Shawn

Yep, I remember selling tires for old Schwinns. We weren't a Schwinn dealer, but eventually we bought out an old store, giving us some good stock. I still have a bunch of Schwinn Predator frame and fork stickers.

Haha I did the exact same thing earlier this summer.

Then I found that's why the bike I was working had come in with an extra set of new wheels.

ECM Rocks!

Is it a Mini-Twin? 3 or 5-speed hub?

If you have the skinny S5 or S6 rims I have a pair of aftermarket white wall tires for (I think) and S5 rim. They came on one of the Fastbacks I have in the collection. I replaced them with the now discontinued reproduction slick and front tire.

Hey ECM, you wouldn't have a Schwinn 20" 1 3/4 gumwall slick would you? I had one on the hand-me down Stingray Fastback my older cousin gave me when I was a kid. I've never seen another one.

-Rob

Well, it's certainly possible. I will check on Monday for ya.

It's a Mini-Twin single speed

I may have some Schwinn specific tires that will fit also. I closed my bike shop after 25 years recently and stuff like that didn't sell during the "going out of biz sale". They still make tires that fit those rims(although not Schwinn branded) and we always kept them in stock. I'll look tomorrow to see if there's any left.

Yep....Schwinn special rims. my 1979-80ish Sidewinder (the first production Schwinn Mountain Bike) had these 2.75" wide studded balloon tires that went everywhere. good luck finding those.

SVreX, I have the front tire you need in a blackwall street tread. I still need more info about the rear.

Rob_Mopar, I do not have a source for the 20 x 1 3/4 gum. The one distributor that lists anything other than a blackwall listed a whitewall (not a gum) and they are of course out of stock with no ETA. I can get blackwall, and that's the same tire SVreX was needing on the front of his bike.

GRrtechguy, if you still have the bike and are looking for tires I can look for them if you can give me the other dimensions on the sidewalls...

ECM - that bike is so long gone...... was great exercise though....close to 70lbs if I recall. However, with those tires, it was the best bike for the sands of west michigan.

David S. Wallens wrote: I still have a bunch of Schwinn Predator frame and fork stickers.

Do you? The very "80's digital looking" versions? I still have my old Predator from 1982... of course, being young and dumb, I tried pealing of the decals... Not htat I ever plan on riding the bike again, but new decals on it would be fun.

Ian F wrote:

David S. Wallens wrote: I still have a bunch of Schwinn Predator frame and fork stickers.

Do you? The very "80's digital looking" versions? I still have my old Predator from 1982... of course, being young and dumb, I tried pealing of the decals... Not htat I ever plan on riding the bike again, but new decals on it would be fun.

Those might be them. I believe they're green and yellow. I'll have to check out my stash when I get home.

Thanks for checking ECM. I'll keep the low key search on for an NOS Schwinn one.

-Rob