Tires Moped tires??

[MotorBicycleRacing]

Culvercityclassic's 200 cc race bike uses Maxxis hookworm bicycle tires
on super wide rims.

 

[jawnn]

I realy don't like bicycle tires, they wear out too fast

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

I like my 26 x 2.35 Schwalbe Big Apple tires. They're actually 26.73" diameter. I don't like how easily they fet flat from thorns, screws, staples. Thick tubes, kevlar tire liners don't work well enough for my 12-mile commute to work. I like cheap fixes, so I bought these 17" moped tires and tubes:

http://www.amazon.com/Michelin-Gazelle-M62-Moped-Tire/dp/B001CD5HDE

I also bought these wheels for a different project:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1976-MOTOBE...es&hash=item415983db1c&vxp=mtr#ht_2776wt_1161

I'm gonna have the LBS respoke these wheels to my bicycle hubs. Using 12g spokes might be a major project for the shop, so I'm gonna ask them to use 13-14g SS spokes. I've never broken a front spoke before, and the last spoke I broke was a year ago. These tires should stop flat tires from thorns or even small screws, I would think. Of course the bike's gonna look goofy, but functional. I use disc brakes, so no worry about v-brakes mismatch. Only problem is that the chainring sprocket's ground clearance drops from 9" to 6.4", and the derailleur's tensioner's ground clearance drops from 6.5" to 3.8"! The tires clear my dropouts ok. Gear ratios will lower dramatically, as well as top speed. In 8th gear, speed @ 7500rpm is 39.8mph. These short tires drop speed to 31.7mph. My first gear is super low @ 46.36:1 and 8th gear is 15:1. That changes to 57:1 and 18.8:1, respectively. Thankfully, changing my engine sprocket from 11t to 14t raises the gear ratios back to 36.43:1 and 14.75:1, respectively. Top speed @ 7500rpm will increase to 40.4mph.

I believe this is the least expensive way of converting to moped tires. The bike will look funky, but I'd rather not be fixing flats as often as I am now (twice in 100 miles). If I wasn't commuting to work, I'd live with the problem of flat tires. Hope this helps.

 

[Deleted member 12676]

What size rims did you mount the moped tires on?

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

These are "RIGIDA" moped rims. One is 17" x 2" wide; it's stamped "2.75/17", prolly tire size. My tires are 17 x 2.25. The other wheel is 17" x 1.5" wide. These tires are stiff and VERY hard to mount. I'm gonna wait until the bike hubs are installed. Prolly need a moped tire iron to install these tires. Gonna try with soap and bike tools first.

Update: It took 15 minutes' effort to mount the moped tire.

 

[darwin]

Like to see pics of 17" wheels on a frame designed for 26" wheels, might look a tad bit unusual.

 

[SunkyWorks]

does any company make a 2 inch tire with thick tread??

2.00-17 IRC NR58 Moped, not sure about thickness.

This is what I bought:
Shinko SR714 F/R Moped tire - 2.25L-16/Black
rated for over 70 mph.

They fit nice on 20" cheap bmx 48 spoke steel rims, the sides are more sloped than Aluminum ones.

Sidewalls are thicker than bike tires, tread not so much.

Deacon's 20" (16" moped) bike wheels (from other forum):

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

Like to see pics of 17" wheels on a frame designed for 26" wheels, might look a tad bit unusual.

Lol, I imagine it'll look funky. I already look odd, with motorcycle helmet, dirt bike chest protector, knee/shin pads, forearm/elbow pads, gloves and work boots, AND a full backpack.

 

[SunkyWorks]

Xtracycle EdgeRunner and EdgeRunner Electric, a new longtail cargo bike with 20" wheel for a more stable and smoother ride.





not sure were this one came from:
(MAB was built)

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

Good to know it'll be more stable and smoother ride. It'll be good for my short legs too, lol.