Tyres for 1990s Raleigh Pioneer Classic

[andrewwoods]

Hi

I have inherited a Raleigh Pioneer Classic like the one in the picture (not of my bike) from my late Father-in-Law.

He bought it new in the 1990s, but didn't ride it much. I thought that it would make a good cycle-to-work bike, thus saving my Dawes for proper touring.

But, I cannot find tyres which fit the wheels.
Foolishly, I have thrown away the original tyres which came with the bike, so I cannot refer to them for info. I think they were 27x1 1/4.

I bought some Schwalbe Land Cruiser Road 700C x 35 tyres, but they were too large a diameter, so wouldn't go on the rims.
I then tried some Schwalbe Marathon Original HS420 Tyre - 27 x 1 1/4 Inch, but also too large for the rims.

Anybody got any good suggestions? What can I measure to find the right size tyres?

Thank you
Andrew

[Bmblbzzz]

Maybe start by looking at the rims. That will tell you whether it's 27", 700c, 26" (559), or something else - and give an indication as to the appropriate width.

[andrewwoods]

I can't see any markings on the rims. What might I be looking out for?

[gaz]

Some rims will have a size marked on them either stamped or as part of a sticker, e.g. 622x19. Marks are often (not always) near the valve hole or rim joint. Not all rims are marked.

Run a tape measure around the bead seat of the rim, take the measurement in mm and divide by 3.14. There will be a little inaccuracy but it's got to match something on the table.

I am extremely surprised that the 700C (622) Schwalbes did not fit.

[andrewwoods]

OK I'll try at the weekend

I found that table - that's what had pushed me to the Marathons, without success.

Thanks
Andrew

[gaz]

Take the front wheel to your LBS, see what they say.

[peetee]

The 700c land cruisers should be the right tyre for the job. The Pioneer did come in various incarnations but I have had several through my workshop and they were all 700c. I suspect you just experienced trouble aligning the rim beads evenly as that particular tyre is a loose fit on the rim.

[Spinners]

Yes, should definitely be 700c. I'm always looking at these on Gumtree but looking for a really nice example to use as my 'errand bike'

[Cyril Haearn]

Try cleaning and closely examining the rims, sometimes the engraving is shallow and hard to see

[andrewwoods]

I've found some markings on the rim which I had previously missed and with those and peetee's comments I've managed to get the Land Cruisers to go on and stay there ( I think). I'll give it a test ride next week when the current rain has gone.

Thank you
Andrew

[Brucey]

FWIW those rims are not 'hook bead type'. This means that the written maximum pressure on the tyres is higher than is advisable; there is (either on the tyre or in the instructions) a comment about how much lower the maximum tyre pressure is when they are fitted on these rims.

cheers

[andrewwoods]

Every day is a school day!

I wonder if that's why I had difficulty getting the tyres to stay on in the first place. I certainly had to push hard to get it over the rim, so hopefully it won't come off in a hurry.

I'll ride them a little, then check carefully.

Andrew