Replacing tyres

[Aston]

I know this is a bit like asking the same or about oil on a motorcycle forum, thousands of different opinions, but I just need a steer in the right direction.

I have an elderly, rebuilt Thorn Club Tour, I'm using for 10-15 mile rides weekly, but intend to take some longer weekend/three day camping trips with loaded panniers and tent. The bike currently wears Panasonic Panaracer Pasala Tour tyres, 700 x 32, however if I need to remove the front wheel to transport the bike I need to deflate the tyre to get it past the brake blocks (on cantilevers).

Both tyres need replacing, the rear has a cut in the sidewall with a bulge. I was thinking of just replace like with like, but two beginners questions...

1 - Should I opt for a small section front tyre so I don't need to deflate it?

2 - I quite like the Panasonic tyres, but at £30 each wondering whether there's anything else cheaper which would do the job with some puncture resistance

or is it just a case of bite the bullet, spend £60 on replacing them?

Thank you

 

[Profpointy]

At the risk of teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, is there a flippy lever or equivalent to release the brakes entirely to get the tyres out. This can be on the brake levers or the brakes themselves

Here's what's on my Condor. My own Thorn is in bits so can't quite remember what it has / had. Thorn are a solid make so I'd be surprised if it doesn't have something like this.

In the unlikely event it lacks such a thing, then I'd get new levers, or new brakes, or an aftermarket a accessory brake hanger thingy rather than be constrained for tyre choice.

 

[Aston]

At the risk of teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, is there a flippy lever or equivalent to release the brakes entirely to get the tyres out. This can be on the brake levers or the brakes themselves

Here's what's on my Condor. My own Thorn is in bits so can't quite remember what it has / had. Thorn are a solid make so I'd be surprised if it doesn't have something like this.

In the unlikely event it lacks such a thing, then I'd get new levers, or new brakes, or an aftermarket a accessory brake hanger thingy rather than be constrained for tyre choice.

View attachment 814269

View attachment 814270

View attachment 814271

No drops, it's set up with butterfly type bars and shimano deore lx shifters, so I don't have that option.

 

[Profpointy]

No drops, it's set up with butterfly type bars and shimano deore lx shifters, so I don't have that option.

Presumably could still unhook the wire from the straddle cable bit - I think on mine you could unhook the straddle cable itself from one side; or as I say retrofit with the flippy cam acceossry things.

 

[T4tomo]

Presumably could still unhook the wire from the straddle cable bit - I think on mine you could unhook the straddle cable itself from one side; or as I say retrofit with the flippy cam acceossry things.

yes if you squeeze the brake blocks onto the rim with your hand, that usually allows you to unhook the cable from the Canti mechanism.

also there is usually some sort of fine adjuster somewhere in the cable run or at the brake lever or a hanger pivot, that can be slackened to make the above more achievable or to allow the tyre to slide out un-deflated.

 

[T4tomo]

to the OP: oh and panaracer pasela PT's are a very good tyre choice for that sort of bike / riding, and I wouldnt go narrower, you will sacrifice comfort, you just need to spot the knack of slackening the brake caliper.

or is there really isnt anything then introduce a cable adjuster see below pic - I put some on Mrs ts bike when doing that up....

 

[Aston]

Thank you, I hadn't thought of unclipping the brake cable, I'll give it a go. Thanks again 👍

 

[si_c]

If you're looking to replace the tyres, you could opt for Vittoria Zaffiro Pros - they're around £21 each, but I wouldn't want to spend less than that.

To my mind if you're happy with the Pasela's then I'd replace like for like, they've a really good reputation for comfort and durability (not ridden them myself though) and if the current pair has lasted long enough to need replacement then presumably you're happy with them.

Tyres are an area where I think it's worth spending the money on consumables though.

 

[wafter]

@Profpointy's suggestion of unhooking the straddle cable appears to be the way to go, however if you wanted a more integrated solution Shimano do the SM-CB90 inline cable adjustor that has a built-in quick release for this purpose. Shop around on ebay and the (apparently) older variant linked to can be had for about a tenner a pop.

Re. tyres; Schwalbe Delta Cruisers are a good budget bet; I'm currently running a pair of older ones on my Fuji that cost about £35 the pair; the oldest of which has covered about 6k miles on the front, 2k on the back and still has a little life left in it. It did exhibit some sidewall cracks early on but this hasn't affected its function and I suspect this is probably due to being NOS rather than intrinsically defective.

Seems the newer versions can be had for about £40 for a pair.

That said, Panaracers are good tyres and you could spend a lot more on rubber than £30 an end; if you like the current tyres and budget allows I see no reason not to buy the same - damage notwithstanding with the mileage you're covering they should last a long time and you might get them cheaper by shopping around.

 

[All uphill]

If you're looking to replace the tyres, you could opt for Vittoria Zaffiro Pros - they're around £21 each, but I wouldn't want to spend less than that.

To my mind if you're happy with the Pasela's then I'd replace like for like, they've a really good reputation for comfort and durability (not ridden them myself though) and if the current pair has lasted long enough to need replacement then presumably you're happy with them.

Tyres are an area where I think it's worth spending the money on consumables though.

I agree with your suggestion of Zaffiro Pros.

They were recently on sale at banana industries at £11 each in 30mm. They're great on my Spa touring bike.

Edit: I was robbed! They are now £10 each!

 

[All uphill]

At the risk of teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, is there a flippy lever or equivalent to release the brakes entirely to get the tyres out. This can be on the brake levers or the brakes themselves

Here's what's on my Condor. My own Thorn is in bits so can't quite remember what it has / had. Thorn are a solid make so I'd be surprised if it doesn't have something like this.

In the unlikely event it lacks such a thing, then I'd get new levers, or new brakes, or an aftermarket a accessory brake hanger thingy rather than be constrained for tyre choice.

View attachment 814269

View attachment 814270

View attachment 814271

I've had levers with that button for years and had no idea what it's for!