26" bicycle rims

[robwizard]

I know some of you guys are into building bicycles as well as cars.. so I thought I would see if anyone could help me? Basically I'm building a beach cruiser and am struggling with the rims. I bought some 26" wide chrome ones but it turns out they are some weird vintage size which is hard to get tires for.. so I'm looking for some more up to date ones!

So yeah.. WANTED: Pair 02 26" bicycle rims, 36 hole.. wider the better.

Cheers

[adamb]

Any idea what the size actually is?

[robwizard]

Yeah the rims I bought are 26"x1 3/4 which has a bead seat diameter of 571mm I think.. the tires I have are normal 26" balloon tired which have a bead seat diameter of 551mm. So I looked for loads of tires for the rims and ended up buying some plain black ones but they just don't look as good as the whitewalls! So I figure I just try and get some normal, wide 26" 551mm rims to match the tires!

Cheers

[mylittletony]

I sympathise, I bought some 26 x 1 3/8 wheels, when I actually needed 26 x 1 1/2 (or the other way round)

Basically there's 3 26" rim sizes. As far as I remember anything with a decimal width (i.e. 1.5, 1.75, 2.0) is the MTB size you are asking after. Anything with a fraction size (1 3/8, 1 1/2) is classic French (650B) or British touring sizes.

Ironically, the bike world is drifting back to the 650B size as it falls half way between 26 and 29er sizes, so tyres may not be that hard to come by

[adamb]

Ah yes, I do remember the weird sizes, stuff is available but like you say, for ease, re-rimming a wheel might be best.

[randywanger_]

Check out the buy/sell section of pinkbike.com

[alecw35]

I was gonna work on a bike for a friend. A 1991 Raliegh roadster. He had went upto a famous and well respected bike shop, in the next town. That's been a Raliegh dealer for decades. They sold him tyres that just didn't fit. Think they were 26 x 1 1/2 x 1 3/8". Instead of 26 x 1 3/8". Grrrr
He had to wait weeks for the proper tyres to come. And then another 20 mile round trip to get them. Just not good enough.

Ive always thought that wheels and tyres for bikes, should be like cars or motorbikes. The stated size is the rim size. Not the rolling diameter of the tyre.

[breadvan]

i spent 3 hours and 1/2 litre of fairy stretching some skinnys on my 26 x 1 3/8 its doable but hard work . beach cruisers usually run standard 26" mtb rims with a single speed conversion . Dave frome bankrupt bikes in birmingham is a helpfull chap. i found him on the bay and quick service with tracked delivery too.

[Hillmanjames]

Have a look for some trials rims. I have one at the moment that is 2" wide but it's also on my bike, other wise I would have sent it your way! Cost about £25 for it brand new iirc!

[outrage]

Look here - maybe it helps:
sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

[MARK]

try the lads on retro bikes for odd ball parts, they are always happy to help if they can 
www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/