Tire/Wheel Size

Laura Boss has a 30 year old Fuji bike and her husband fitted new tires, she is worried that they might be the wrong size. We go through the possible tire sizes that could be fitted to her bike.

Question:

I have a 30 year old (or so) Fuji 10 speed bicycle (SPORT).  I think my husband may have accidentally put the wrong tire size on the rims.  Does anyone know what size rims Fuji make these ROAD bikes with??  Or can you explain how to know if they are 1” vw. 1 1/4″ or 1 1/2″ (without removing the newly replaced tires and tubes!!)

Thanks,

waiting to ride
(Laura).

Hi Laura,

A 30 year old bike could have either of two sizes of wheel and even possibly a third option! The bike will be fitted with 27 inch or 700c wheels; they are of a slightly different size and are not interchangeable. The less likely is that the wheels could be 26 inch.

If you look at the side wall of the tire you should see the numbers 27 x 1 ¼ or 700c x 23, this is the tire size and should be obvious on the tire. If your husband has fitted the tires and they have not fallen off or are not too tight then they are probably the correct size, 27 inch, 700c and 26 inch are quite different. The width for the 700c’s is measured in centimetres and the others are in inches, so if he has fitted 27 inch then the 1, 1 1/4 or 1 ½ inch refers to the width of the tire and should not make a difference.

If you are in doubt then you should take one of the wheels to the shop where your husband bought the tire and ask them to make sure they are correct.

Enjoy your ride, Laura.