Still, that thing is awesome.

We have an island in our kitchen that we want to remodel and we're going to put a wine fridge in it when we do (which we have already sitting our dining room).

We have a coat closet in our kitchen that we're debating on turning into a bar. This thing would go in there if we do.

Only issue I have is that a keg is a LOT of beer. It'd take me a year to go through it.

That... is not a problem I have. Corny kegs (and that fridge holds 2 of them I think) hold between 5 and 6 gallons, and I go through that in 2 weeks on my own. So 6 weeks to empty that fridge without any help.

Ok, so now I'm down a rabbit hole of Sheldon Brown explaining that tires marked in this size are not really this size, and certainly you can't assume that mathmatically identical fractional and decimal sized tires are interchangeable. Ugh. Just wanna ride my bike, maaaan. May only have spendy Terry tires as an option to replace the Continentals.

Is there any chance you could order through an lbs or REI? I'm assuming they'd be much more inclined to get you sized correctly without having to do the size comps you're doing right now and more importantly, would not screw you over on a return if the size is off.

My old shop in Boston carried Schwalbe tires, but I've found that to be a rarity elsewhere. Which is too bad, as they (well, pluses) are bulletproof. I've ridden a plus on my rear commuter wheel and haven't flatted since June 2009!!

Is there anywhere you can safely ride in Atlanta? Like commute by bike, because the traffic there sounds horrendous.

Broadway Bikes still has them. Love those dirty mousey shy hippies.

Back up. You have tires on it now, right? What size do they say they are? Assuming they're 650's, and that a standard 1 3/8 width is ok too, then these are your schwalbes right churrr. But you would've just done what I just did if it were easy, so I'm missing something. Tell me more about this bike and its wheels, and/or post pics. But the old tires should be your salvation. If they worked, then replicate the size, or start with it.

Bikes Not Bombs was my lbs in JP. I think they hated me. But they were so cheap and obviously geared (heyo) towards doing good things in addition to swapping out my bb.

Depends on where you live, but yeah, sure. Things are definitely improving for bikers both in the city and the suburbs.

Also, Atlanta traffic isn't THAT bad. I don't even think we rank in the top 10 nationally anymore. I actually think Atlanta drivers have gotten better in the last 10 or so years.

This was my initial thought - but look!

"There are 4 "650_" sizes in between these two extremes.

650[Letter]
In the French sizing system, tires are designated by a three-digit number, which may be followed by a letter. The number is the nominal outside diameter of the tire the rim was originally designed for. The absence of a letter indicated a narrow tire; "A", "B" and "C" indicated increasingly wider tires."A" was originally a tire about 30 mm wide, so the 650A rim is pretty large, 590 mm. If you add the top and bottom 30 mm tire thickness to 590, you wind up with the 650 mm tire diameter.

The 650C size was originally intended for a quite wide tire, about 40 mm wide. Top and bottom 40 mm tire plus the 571 mm rim size again bring you to a 650 mm outside diameter, even though the rim was smaller.

With time, however evolutionary processes have led to different widths of tires being applied to the rim, so the nominal 650 mm designation is now more theoretical than practical.

597 mm, 650, is the same as the British 26 x 1 1/4" size used on club bicycles, and was also adopted by Schwinn for use on 3-speeds with a 1 3/8" wide tire. This size is seen less and less, as the bicycles which use it become rare.
590 mm, 650A, also called 26 x 1 3/8", is the size used on the classic English 3-speed. There's nothing theoretically wrong with this size (other than confusion with the Schwinn size!), but the selection of tires and rims available for it is pretty scanty these days.
571 mm, 650C, was originally a wide, balloon tire size, used on many older Schwinn cruisers. These days, however, it is mainly seen on triathlon bikes and time-trial machines. Available tires and rims are mostly very narrow, intended for competition use.
584 mm, 650B, is the focus of this article. This size, also known as 26 x 1 1/2", is most popular in France, where it was the traditional size for loaded touring bikes and tandems, as well as general utility bikes.
The 650B size was never common in the U.S., and it went into decline even in France with the advent of the mountain bike. However, there is a dedicated group of fans of this wheel size, who have been diligently working to restore it to its former glory.

The situation as far as tire and rim availability has lately taken a turn for the better, and the future looks rosy for 650B...."


I think those marathons are 650B. I have a 2003 650C trek wsd43cm with the aforementioned Continentals (ETRTO 23-571). Think the Schwalbes are ETRTO 37-590s;

"The ISO system uses two numbers; the first is the width of the tire or rim in millimeters (The actual tire width will vary a bit depending on the width of the rim. The rim width is the inner width measured between the flanges as shown in the diagram.)

The second ISO number is the critical one, it is the diameter of the bead seat of the rim, in mm ("B.S.D."). Generally, if this number matches, the tire involved will fit onto the rim; if it doesn't match, the tire won't fit."

So the most badass rough riding tire I can get is then a terry: http://www.treefortbikes.com/product/33 ... 4AodmTYAJw

I may just ask my LBS what it would take to put regular old mtb wheels on my perfectly fitted frame. I hate to buy a new bike when I have a light, comfortable, fun one right here, but the 650C bikes are less and less common every year so this is never going to get simpler... and I want a more sturdy and comfortable ride than 120psi racers.

A few years ago I would've said no but the Share the Road initiative here has paid some pretty good divedends in making it much more bike friendly. There have been dozens of miles of bike lanes and dedicated bike paths that aren't on the streets but run through the city (the Atlanta PATH).

The main arteries are never going to be super friendly but I had a friend come by to see our house last Sunday and she biked from Midtown to our neighborhood (about 4 miles in the city) using nothing but surface streets with bike lanes and the bike path. Wouldn't have been possible years ago.

Also, our neighbor commutes every day to the CDC at Emory (about 3 miles) on a bike. But yeah, like Bloor said, it really depends on where you live.

Ok, I've been googling about your bike (very interesting), and the choices some people have made. First, I do not think you should change the rim size. If the thing you're wanting is more tire choices, you only really seem to get that with 700c, and that bigger tire size will at BEST mean the front tire hits your toes on turns. At worst it will also mean new brake calipers, or it just won't work without a fork swap and there goes some of your nice dialed-in geometry... ie not worth it. Part of what you like about that bike (A big part) is probably the smaller wheel diameter. And those road bikes usually have miniscule clearances around the stock tire size, so I would be VERY surprised if a 700 would even fit. This ain't a 1977 Schwinn Le Tour, with room for fenders and whatever else you want.

Here's what some anonymous people said on the innerwebs years and years ago, so you know it's all completely reliable and iron clad:

"My wife rides a Trek 5200 WSD, we have several good bike shops in our area and none of them keep 650 tires or tubes in stock. We keep a supply of new tires and tubes in our house. She thinks the Michelin Pro Race2 tires (655c X 23) are a big improvement over what came new on the bike."

" The Michelin Pro2Race are great. Continental GP4000's are good, too."

My thinking is that whatever fit these peoples' WSD mid-2000's bikes would fit yours too. And here is that conti 4000 for sale...

Oops, 2002. Anyhow, no diff for these purposes. 700s will not fit, no way no how. I have had both those tires, and both do the job - I was just super excited about maybe getting lower pressure, more gravel-friendly tread ones (on sale for $20 each, too!) for my commuting lifestyle/midget bike combo. Alas it is not to be. 650 is not 650 all the world around. Back to pints and pounds. Bottling Sunday.

Damn. I knw there are some "650B" tires that a friend uses on his touring bike for his insanely long rides (he's doing a 1200k this weekend - and no I didn't accidentally add a zero in there). And his tires look like they're about a 38 width or so, to my eyes. Panaracers, I think they are. But if 650B is the wrong diameter then yeah, oh well. The bike just aint gonna cooperate.

Replaced the brake shoes and threw these on: http://www.terrybicycles.com/Accessorie ... -tire-x-c-

At 28 wide they juuuust fit with regular brake calipers and the like. I'll have to pry the front wheel out to remove it til the new pads wear down a bit, but I don't take the wheel off much anyhow.

Feel much safer. The ride isn't that different but there's something about knowing your tires are more than ten years old that makes every pothole a little anxious for me.

Oddly specific.

And cool!

On the tire itself it says 'inflate to 107', period. The late Mr Brown says "The new Terry Tellus is the first medium width tire ever offered in this size. Should fit most small road bikes and tri bikes fine. Rated for up to 100 psi, you can run it at a more comfortable, lower pressure without risk of "snake bite" flats." Just a little cushier.

My buddy here in town who rides a lot prefers the lower end of the range, and I like them cranked up. I don't know why, exactly.

i popped for a pair of marathons for an old bike my friends gave me and those tires are indestructible as i cruise the ghetto streets of chicago.

You chose... wisely.

Sometimes I get a good reminder of what a deal my Belleville was at $600.

This awesome bike is like mine with just nicer everything, but essentially the same idea and not functionally a helluva lot different, and is almost $6 grand. It's gorgeous and I'd buy it if I had the money I guess, but... damnation. Chasing that last 10% will empty your motherfucking wallet.

Yeah, wow. That frame integrated lock is swank, but I can't imagine more than ... $2k maybe, tops? if I were richer than I am and needed a good bike.