Cycling UK Forum

Any reason why I shouldnt use wheelchair tyres on a bicycle.

Not out of choice but seems no choice!

Meic

I cannot claim to know, but I think I can point you the right way for the info.

It sounds as though you have already looked at the Schwalbe wheelchair catalogue (If not, it's a PDF download from their website.)

I see that the 24" size you asked about on the other thread is standard for wheelchairs Something new I've learned.) If you scroll down to the individual tyres you will see that there is a row of icons across the top giving info about size, pressure rating and threads per inch (TPI)

Although some are rated at only 3 bar, the Marathon Plus etc, as well as the specialist sports tyres are rated at 10 bar with 67TPI and some have puncture protection. For these better quality tyres the icons are all the same as equivalent bike tyres in the bike catalogue.

In the catalogue intro, it makes the point that Schwalbe wheelchair tyres do not have things like dynamo ribs and raised lettering to help wheelchair users who move themselves.

I think that is all pretty good evidence that they are interchangeablke size for size with bike tyres (so long as you don't want to run a tyre driven dynamo.)

If I am wrong, it may smoke out somebody who really knows.

What "size" 24 tyres are you looking for?

Got home early with the bit between my teeth and spoke to a chap at Conti importers. They do a 24" W/chair tyre, but its not a clincher, so you are right to be cautious. According to him Vredestein (imp Chicken's) and Hutchinson are the most likely to have a bike tyre in the size. The size isnt mentioned on Chickens website, and I cant open the Hutchinson catalogue because my PC has been saddled with an outdated flashplayer by sons schoolwork
It might be worth phoning Schwalbe importers. It might just be that they have designated 24" as non cycling so not listed them in info to cycle trade. Sports wheelchairs start at about the same price as high end road bikes - worthwhile market I'd have thought!

If it comes to it, this lot sound approachable:
http://www.activemobility.co.uk/shop/ty ... 78_83.html

Cunobelin

I am after tyres for a 600A rim. ie 28-541 although I would be happier with thinner tyres like 25s or 23s.

So far I have found that I may still be able to buy Impac Rapides but they are much heavier than I would like.

24 inch ( narrow ) tyres are 1mm tighter fit than 600a tyres. ie 540mm fit compared to 541mm fit. This small difference is less than some manufacturers tolerances. You could fit 24 x 1 ( 25 - 540 ) tyres on a 600a wheel provided the width between the rim walls is no more than ~ 22mm
Wider rims will not be protected when fitted with narrow section tyres.
Many of the new 24 x 1 wheelchair tyres have been developed from cycle racing versions. e.g/ Schwalbe Right Run and Marathon.
24 x 1 3/8 is no longer a common bike size but other than rubber compound differences wheelchair tyres are made to the same size 37 - 540