S6 rims with non-s6 tires?

[katezila]

Can It be done?!?

I have Kenda s6 tires that are supposedly for the S6 rims on my 73 Collegiate but I've never for the life of me been able to get them to sit properly! I always end up with a "flat spot" where the bed sits inside the rim, like the tire is too small. Sometimes it's so flat I feel a sort of whump go through the bike when I'm riding.
I'm wondering if anyone knows if I could use a regular 26 1-3/8 tire and It'll work better? Or if there's any solution to my problem at all?

 

[scrumblero]

no. the regular ones are smaller than the Schwinn ones, you just gotta massage it on there with a small bit of pressure in it till you get it centered.

they make these but I never tried one...

 

[Tailwinds]

Is the tire a 37-597 tire? It sounds like you got the correct tire but I just have to ask. I was able to get a Kenda 26 x 1-3/8 tire physically on the S6 rim (don't ask me how), but they soooooo don't fit. I didn't know at the time the 37-590/ 37-597 discrepancy.

 

[Bendix]

you can try lubing the bead by spraying it with windex or something and then giving it a LOT of air to pop out those low spots. haven't tried the park, the bicycle research plier type tool is really good, but too expensive for most folks to invest in for occaisional use....

 

[Spokeshave]

I had the same problem on my Collegiate. I thought the tire was bad or wrong.I was told to start over with a little air at a time and just kind of massaging and muscling the spot that I thought was bad. After several attempts at it,it worked itself out.