Tire Install Problem

[PHalsey]

So I'm not an expert, but I have changed many, many bicycle tires over the years. So why is it BOTH of the brand new Kenda 26 x 1 3/8 tires I put on my 1973 Raleigh Sports refuse to seat properly on the rims? It feels like I'm riding one of those clown bikes with elliptical wheels. I deflated and checked that the tube is clear of the bead and tried everything else I can think of. It's as if the sidewall width varies by 4- 6 mms. Suggestions anyone?

[1FJEF]

1) Are the rims "hookless" or "Lipless"? (The sides of the rim are smooth inside, with no lip at the top, just like the outside where the brake pads touch).
2) Did the old tires work fine (other than being worn out)?
3) Do you still have the old tires?

[PHalsey]

(11-11-2013, 05:29 PM)1FJEF Wrote:  1) Are the rims "hookless" or "Lipless"? (The sides of the rim are smooth inside, with no lip at the top, just like the outside where the brake pads touch).
2) Did the old tires work fine (other than being worn out)?
3) Do you still have the old tires?

Not sure about question 1. I'll have to remove a tire to find out for sure, but I don't recall a lip. Answer to 2 is yes, bike rode smooth even though chunks of the sidewall were literally falling off. One tire is gone; the other is in the trash for pick up tomorrow. Why do you ask?

Thanks for taking an interest.

[1FJEF]

(11-11-2013, 07:55 PM)PHalsey Wrote:  Why do you ask?

You can confirm your old tire size markings. There are a couple of 26 x 1 3/8" tires that are not the same size! (590 vs 597mm)Also, you can compare the bead area & size on the old tire to the new.

[DaveM]

(11-12-2013, 03:23 AM)1FJEF Wrote:  There are a couple of 26 x 1 3/8" tires that are not the same size! (590 vs 597mm)Also, you can compare the bead area & size on the old tire to the new.

To expand on this. There is basically Schwinn 26 x 1 3/8 and non-Schwinn 26 x 1 3/8. Since you have a Raleigh, you need the non-Schwinn size. If the tires say S-6 on them, they are Schwinn size.

May just be you need to tinker with getting them to seat properly. But figure out if you have the wrong tire first.

[blbaszis]

(11-11-2013, 10:10 AM)PHalsey Wrote:  So I'm not an expert, but I have changed many, many bicycle tires over the years. So why is it BOTH of the brand new Kenda 26 x 1 3/8 tires I put on my 1973 Raleigh Sports refuse to seat properly on the rims? It feels like I'm riding one of those clown bikes with elliptical wheels. I deflated and checked that the tube is clear of the bead and tried everything else I can think of. It's as if the sidewall width varies by 4- 6 mms. Suggestions anyone?

Whenever I install a new tire and run into the problem you described, I get a spray bottle with a 50/50 solution of detergent and water and spray it on bothe sides of the tire before inflation, this makes the tire bead slippery and it goes right where it should. I think this may help unless you have bought the wrong tires.