A Tire Problem

Tony Centanni is having problems with his tires, he has 27 inch wheels, but this shouldn’t cause any problem. The tires maybe damaged or twisted in some way, we have run through the things he should do to fix them. Tires are very important, if they are not correctly fitted or there some thing wrong with them they could come off the wheel, which is not a good idea if you are on a fast descent. Here is our advice for Tony, or any one else

Question:
I have a 27″ rim that has always taken a 27 x 1 1/4 tire. I got some new tires and a tube that size that says 27 x 1 1/8″ 1 1/4″. My problem is that the tire does not seat evenly around the rim. Do I have the wrong size tube or do I have some other problem? I have never had this problem before, I have a 35 year old Schwinn Continental.

Hi Tony,

Please don’t take this the wrong way but maybe its time to get a modern bike! But you must be very fond of you bike, but you would notice a big difference on a nice new bike with 700c wheels. As a frame gets older it becomes soft and doesn’t give such a “crisp” ride. If you have another more modern bike then forget what I just said and enjoy them all!

Anyway this doesn’t answer your question. So no you probably don’t have the wrong size tire, maybe the tires were stored badly and the wire or beading have been damaged and this is why they don’t sit properly on the rim.

Try to blow the tire up, not too hard. Then with your hands press in the side of the tire to make sure that the inner tube is not trapped between the tire and the rim, check all round the wheel and both sides. Then if there is no problem with the inner tube then try to put the tire in the correct place with your hands by pushing the tire down or pulling it up so that the beading is in the correct position on the rim. You may read our article about how to fix a tire puncture, it can help a lot.

If this is still not correct or if you think the tire is not safe on the wheel, then take them back to the shop and change them, tires are very important and have to be correct, if not they could be dangerous.