With John’s chain treads out of stock. What tires to use for our vintage bikes?

[slick]

yup. vintage bikes with vintage tires. with flat tires.
I need to get them out of storage. I have been working 7 days for months.

I need to come down there and load up my van with tires. I honestly need about 30 pairs to finish off the bikes I have sitting here. Replace the ugly store bought tires with yours.

 

[mrg]

I hate to say it, Old tires ride like old tires!, even most NOS old tires!, Carlisle Indian heads are usually ok but most of those are from the 80's, if you ride! new tires are a must! RIDDEN not HIDDEN.

 

[bobcycles]

John's tires hands down are the best option for the new factor, performance and quality.
Repop Schwinn Typhoons look pretty bad, although there were some decent batches made at times...
I've hoarded tires for years and have been fortunate enough to have a reserve to use and ride.
You can't beat new tires for riding naturally... I hope the Red Chains become available again
the ONLY quality repro prewar clay tire ever made and they rule!
But I personally do enjoy the hunt of
finding the correct US vintage tire mfg as orig equip for the builds....Firestone, Davis Deluxe,
Cordovan, Goodyear, BFG, the list goes on.
I recently purchased a ladies Schwinn B6 out of Mass just to acquire an excellent survivor
set of Goodyear Deluxe All Weather white walls.
Yep...bought the bikes to get the tires.
Bike will be available soon with ridable Typhoon repros...stay tuned
Nice cobalt ladies postwar autocycle

 

[cyclingday]

I need to come down there and load up my van with tires. I honestly need about 30 pairs to finish off the bikes I have sitting here. Replace the ugly store bought tires with yours.

Yep!
I did that about 10 years ago.
Only I used Franks van, so that it would smell like Chinese rubber all the way back from San Diego, instead of mine. Lol!
He said, that it took about 3 weeks to get that smell out of his van.
I’ve been enjoying John’s outstanding contributions to this hobby ever since.
THANK YOU, JOHN!
Much appreciated!

P.S.
To be fair, to the vintage aspect of this hobby, I also have a modestly extensive collection of interesting old American tire designs as well.
But, I keep those in reserve for the eventual guy that wants to static display these bikes, instead of riding them.
I prefer to ride these bikes, as there is no better place to display these bikes, than out on the public roads, so that the general public can see them.

 

[SirMike1983]

John's tires are excellent in quality. I have a black wall set of chain treads from him.

I prefer new tires over old ones. On the old nylon cord tires, the sidewalls often crack open or the bead won't hold its seat anymore. The old, pre-war cotton cord ones in particular can be hazardous if you're riding much because the cords can rot from within the tire, creating an unforeseen blow out at the worst time. I think old tires look great for display on an old bike, but I don't ride them a lot. I can see the occasional, casual ride on old nylon cords, but with the miles I put on my bikes, I just get new tires.

I had a Columbia with a set of Schwinn Typhoon reproduction tires that actually were pretty good. It was a pleasant riding bike and the tires served me well.

I was not impressed at all with some of the cheaper offerings like the Cheng Shin white walls I had on one bike. They had a spongy, slow feeling to them when ridden.

 

[49autocycledeluxe]

Repop Schwinn Typhoons look pretty bad,

I have a set on my DX. they were used when I got them, I couldn't tell the difference until I put my reading glasses on and compared them to my originals on my B-6. I think these were the one's from the 1990's repop Phantoms. they ride real nice

 

[slick]

The biggest negative about old tires vs. new ones... the old ones feel like you're riding on a flat. These bikes are heavy enough, I don't need more things making it harder to pedal.

 

[Mr. Monkeyarms]

I have a habit of fitting the fattest, blackest fresh set of tires I can get my hands on. I also have a habit of riding my bikes as fast as possible when alone & need my bike to perform. Safety first!

 

[razinhellcustomz]

Really wish I’d bought more black wall John’s chain treads while they were still available! What are you guys and gals out there going to use in the post John’s tire era for your riders? I’m in the market, and like some suggestions. Thanks for any input!

Michael Kaplan, aka Elginblue bird has the Columbia Superb wide white walls that I have used over the past several years and are a truly nice riding, durable Tyre that look AWESOME on my old ballooned bikes . They are around $65.00 a pair shipped with tubes and rims included. Best deal on fleebay. RideOn. Mark.

 

[razinhellcustomz]

Michael Kaplan, aka Elginblue bird has the Columbia Superb wide white walls that I have used over the past several years and are a truly nice riding, durable Tyre that look AWESOME on my old ballooned bikes . They are around $65.00 a pair shipped with tubes and rims included. Best deal on fleebay. RideOn. Mark.

Rim strips, my bad.