tire question

[mikesbikes36]

hey guys i have a set of spoked wheel chair wheels ...26 x 1 3/8 what is the widest tire i an get on those rims...? thnx mike

 

[deorman]

If they are the same as bike rims, that's all they'll take. :|

 

[mikesbikes36]

same as bikes rims ? like how do u mean ...width wise ? im goofy may take a bit 2 figure it out ... :lol:

 

[karfer67]

it is kinda hard to explain. even though they say 26" they are actually a bit larger diameter than a standard 26" wheel. so a 26 X 1 3/8 tire is all that will fit

 

[deorman]

When bikes started being mass produced around a century ago, instead of standardizing rim size, the existing practice of determining wheel size by complete wheel diameter, including any replaceable "tire", was used, with differing sizes and standards cobbled together in various places. Since then, some manufacturers developed different size tires to fit the same rims that already existed, and some have started referencing rim size. The difference between "26"" rim types is simply a leftover of obsolete methods. 26" atb and "cruiser" wheels use all sizes described with decimals, whereas those marked with fractions use only those sizes. 28" and 29" wheels made nowadays both generally use 700c rims, but there are other types. :? Here's one of several possible links to help keep track.
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/a117/tir ... rticle.htm

 

[mikesbikes36]

thnx guys ..appreciate it mike

 

[StephenH]

A lot of the current and older cheap mountain bikes and cruisers use 26" rims that will fit 26x2.125" and several other widths. The 26x1-3/8 is actually a different rim size, though, and like they said, won't fit much of anything else. It was normally used on the 3-speed bikes.

See an excellent write-up here:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html