what new tires? for my bicycle

So, im not an avid cyclist by any means, and although I can work my way around a bike, I know little about where and what to buy for them.

my bike has 27 x 1 1/4 tires (it is an old road bike, I hear that is a common size). The tires are so old they are crumbling.

I want to be able to use my bike for general riding, errands, city streets, occasional curb up or down. I know I need tires and tubes. I also want to spend as little as possible. And have the tires last a long time.

what should I get and from where? I have amazon prime if that matters. Bonus, I'm also in need of a new set of rat traps for the pedals.

I love Panaracer Paselas. Go as wide as your frame allows, dial the pressure down a bit, and enjoy the ride. The Tourguard versions are more durable but sacrifice a fair bit of ride quality.

Cheap tires and long-lasting tires are two very different beasts. That said, if you aren't racking up thousands of miles a year, then your tires will likely last a long time, anyway.

Continental Ultra Sports in 27" are under $20/tire on Amazon.

I'd just buy new pedals instead of trying to source new "rat traps" for them. There are plenty of cheap platform pedals out there on Amazon and ebay. Your local bike shop will likely have something as well.

Plus One on the Panaracer Pasela. It's simply the best budget tire out there - there's nothing better for less than about $50 a tire. I've also enjoyed the non-TourGuard version more in the past, and never found the flat protection wanting. If it's 27x1 1/4, I'd stick with that, no skinnier. I've found the Gumwall doesn't last quite as long vs the Black sidewalls, and can dry up and blow out over time.

I also agree with Gamby about buying new pedals. They're cheap and work quite well. If you like the rat trap pedals, MKS still makes some vintage-style ones.

I really like the Continental GP4000s in that $50 ea price range. Ride smooth, roll fast and wear well. I run 25 mm wide on my carbon Madone an they are phenomenal.

If you want to go cheap, buy whatever Performance Bike has on sale in a 700x27 and replace them more often. I did that for years.

Continential Ultra Sports are decent quality and a nice ride for a very affordable 27" tire, but they are only so-so in terms of puncture protection. They also run a touch on the skinny side (even in the same nominal 27x1-1/4 size as other brands) The other option I like is the Specialized Trisport...it is a very long-lasting and durable tire, with a puncture-resistant layer under the tread and a fairly thick tread for long wear. It runs a bit on the fat side for a nominal 27x1-1/4 and shouldn't be much more than the Conti Ultra in terms of price. The Conti rides better, the Specialized wears better.

thanks for the responses. I guess I'm using the terminology wrong - I don't need new pedals, I just broke one of the plastic 'toe clips' (after some google imaging that looks like what I need). So all I need is a pair of toe clips. Also looks like REI has a cheap set at about $7.

So is it safe to assume that 700x27 the same size as 27 x 1 1/4?

rcutclif wrote: So is it safe to assume that 700x27 the same size as 27 x 1 1/4?

No, they are not the same size. 700c is slightly smaller in diameter and will not fit your wheels. You want 27". See here: http://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

rcutclif wrote: thanks for the responses. I guess I'm using the terminology wrong - I don't need new pedals, I just broke one of the plastic 'toe clips' (after some google imaging that looks like what I need). So all I need is a pair of toe clips. Also looks like REI has a cheap set at about $7. So is it safe to assume that 700x27 the same size as 27 x 1 1/4?

Switch to metal toe clips and then no more busted plastic I just grab whatever is cheapest for that size tire.

Panaracer Pasela are great tires... I've run them on my touring bike and road bike... they come in the size you have (which you want to keep)... and offer them in lighter weight kevlar bead or steel bead, and also offer option with puncture protection (tour guard version)... good stuff for the price and ride well

rcutclif wrote: thanks for the responses. I guess I'm using the terminology wrong - I don't need new pedals, I just broke one of the plastic 'toe clips' (after some google imaging that looks like what I need). So all I need is a pair of toe clips. Also looks like REI has a cheap set at about $7. So is it safe to assume that 700x27 the same size as 27 x 1 1/4?

I would vote for some basic plastic "MTB-style" toeclips. That's what I've used on my MTB forever.

700c is the "newer" (25 years old) road bike wheel size standard. 27" is the older standard. Thankfully, there are a zillion old road bikes still in service, so tires selection is still fairly decent.

27x1/4 was the casual bike street tire for a very long time... 700c was the racing tire size... in the early 80's you could still find plenty of 27x1/4 bikes... mostly touring and more casual riding bikes... but with a little time the 700c took over as the de facto "road bike" tire... you can still find good 27" tires and rims... just not quite the options you'll get in 700c... specifically the light weight options... there are plenty of people who have adapted the 27" frame to use 700c... but that requires new wheels to go with everything else you're replacing.

Lotta caviar eaters and Dom Perignon sippers on this forum! Fifty bucks for a bicycle tire? Holy moley! That's nuts! And that's a budget tire? LOL.

I've been running road slicks for a few decades. The last bunch had the Bontrager name on them. Must be three or four years old by now. Work great.

Bontrager lists two tires in the 27 x 1.25" size, their T1 and T2 models, retailing for 20 and 25 bucks, respectively.

But if you poop silver dollars, you can pay more.

FWIW, 27" Paselas start at $17.86 at Niagara.

02Pilot wrote: FWIW, 27" Paselas start at $17.86 at Niagara.

Well, that is quite a few boxes of wine cheaper than 50 bucks!

1988RedT2 wrote: Fifty bucks for a bicycle tire? Holy moley! That's nuts! And that's a budget tire? LOL.

I can't find a single post suggesting a $50 tire is a budget tire.

keethrax wrote:

1988RedT2 wrote: Fifty bucks for a bicycle tire? Holy moley! That's nuts! And that's a budget tire? LOL.

I can't find a single post suggesting a $50 tire is a budget tire.

bastomatic wrote: Plus One on the Panaracer Pasela. It's simply the best budget tire out there - there's nothing better for less than about $50 a tire.

It is possible that I jumped to conclusions, but the internet wouldn't be any fun if we couldn't!

yeah, $50 for a tire hurts my feelings. I can't understand how they justify the road tires that are $100 for a bike when you can buy decent car tires for that. Makes no sense.

I will say they ride better than the cheap tires, but I ain't sayin' that justifies the price. Unfortunately, I like the tires so I pay it.

I spent years riding whatever was on clearance for $15. Worked fine but wasn't as smooth or efficient. If you're riding less than a hundred miles a week I see no benefit to the slightly better, MUCH pricier tire.

The pricing on nicer bike stuff is such a racket. Too many doctors in the marketplace.

$100a piece for a bicycle tire is obscene. I have bought several really nice used bicycles for $100 a piece. but I know what you mean about paying for what works for you the best. The enjoyment of a quality product usually out lives the excitement of a cheap price. Unless you can get both.

rcutclif wrote: So, im not an avid cyclist by any means, I want to be able to use my bike for general riding, errands, city streets, occasional curb up or down. I also want to spend as little as possible.

Cheng Shin C 237 or 238 is fine for your intended use as described. If you're not an avid cyclist you won't notice the difference moving up to the Paselas. I owned a big bike shop for 25 years and sold literally thousands of them. Should be able to find them for 13-16 bucks each.

keethrax wrote:

1988RedT2 wrote: Fifty bucks for a bicycle tire? Holy moley! That's nuts! And that's a budget tire? LOL.

I can't find a single post suggesting a $50 tire is a budget tire.

In a bicycle magazine/web board, $50 is a budget tire.

A $300 bike wasn't much of anything 25 years ago. Still isn't. You can't get a "proper" road bike in a bike shop for much less than $1000 now. You can also walk into that shop and buy a $12k bike. Bikes are expensive. Everything is expensive.

My main bike's tires are Continental Grand Prix 4-Season and they're $80/tire. They're also the longest-lasting, most trouble-free tire I've ever ridden. I got them after a 2013 season of 11 punctures.

That said, there are plenty of sub-$20 tires out there.

Since I'm the one being quoted, let me clarify. The Pasela is a great tire at less than $20. To get better, you'll need to spend at least $50 each.

Comprende?

1988RedT2 wrote:

keethrax wrote:

1988RedT2 wrote: Fifty bucks for a bicycle tire? Holy moley! That's nuts! And that's a budget tire? LOL.

I can't find a single post suggesting a $50 tire is a budget tire.

bastomatic wrote: Plus One on the Panaracer Pasela. It's simply the best budget tire out there - there's nothing better for less than about $50 a tire.

It is possible that I jumped to conclusions, but the internet wouldn't be any fun if we couldn't!

He was suggesting the Pasela as a great tire for under $50. A fair amount under as it turns out. Probably a ~$20 tire depending on where you get it.

EDIT: Which he also pointed out at the same time I was typing...

Another vote for Paselas. I think part of the cost is economy of scale, same as how motorcycle tires are more expensive than car tires.

bastomatic wrote: Since I'm the one being quoted, let me clarify. The Pasela is a great tire at less than $20. To get better, you'll need to spend at least $50 each. Comprende?

Yes! Thanks for clearing that up! I'll have to try the Paselas if they come in a 26x1.25" size.