Old bike - wheels

Nerrep

Update: Managed to sort the tyres: my pump was lying to me. However I've now discovered a wheel issue: the front wheel is the original I think; at 630mm: obviously a bit bigger than standard (which the back is - 700c). If I want a new tyre on there (and it seriously needs it), am I going to have to buy a new wheel?

If I get a new wheel, will it fit? Vertically it should be fine (as 700c will be smaller than 630mm), but what about the horizontal distance?

Thanks.

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Just purchased myself a 'vintage' (old and knackered) road bike. Condition seems generally pretty good, but I am concerned about the tyres.

The sidewalls (of the one I can read, at least) claim that they can be inflated to 68psi. Which I think they are blatently not: with a hard squeeze, I can actually touch the rim through the tyre. However, my pump is showing 68psi... Why is this, and how much further can I go before I risk blowing them off the rims?

I *think* the wheels are 700c: is this likely to be correct? If so, I presume I can just buy a new set of tyres and tubes and whack them on as normal despite the age of the wheels?

Thanks,

gkerr4

do they tyres say '622' anywhere - this the rim size of a 700c wheel - so a 23mm tyre is marked as 622-23

then you can buy any tyres an new tubes and fit them on - check the wheel rim has rim-tape fitted to cover the spoke nipples inside the rim and then you can run your new tyres at a proper pressure!

you can touch the rim cos 68psi is very very low! - i run my road tyres at 135psi!

Nerrep

gkerr4 wrote:

you can touch the rim cos 68psi is very very low! - i run my road tyres at 135psi!

The tyres are rated at 68 PSI - they are ancient though. The weird bit is how soft they feel for this apparent pressure...

Nerrep

And one wheel (the front) appears to be 630mm, and the back appears to be the standard 622mm (700c). New front wheel time?