New tires for vintage Sears 3-speed

Hey ya all,

I picked up a vintage Sears 3 speed internal in great condition. Except the tires are original and severely cracked, so I can't even look at the size on the sidewalls. I'm having a tough time ordering new tires or even figuring out what size tires I need.

Does anyone know what size tires I need to get? Looking for a thicker than thinner width since this will be my kid hauling commuter.

TIA
-gabe

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Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on March 31, 2018 at 8:05am

26 × 1.75 probably ?  Beach cruiser type ?  Wider/thicker ?  26 × 2.25 ?

Permalink Reply by mike w. on March 31, 2018 at 9:04am

Depending on the era, it's most likely to be EA-3, common on most non-Schwinn 3 speeds. 26 X 1 3/8. Check the rims- sometimes it's stamped between the spokes.

See here:https://harriscyclery.net/product-list/tires-1101/tires-1103/iso-59...

Not too hard to find at any LBS. There are several mail order places as well. i like the Panaracer Col de la Vie tyres best. Schwalbe also makes them & their schrader-valve tube use a nice all-metal valve stem.

Permalink Reply by mike w. on March 31, 2018 at 9:06am

IMPORTANT: Schwinn's 26 X 1 3/8 rims/tyres are a different diameter and won't fit an EA 3 rim.

Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on March 31, 2018 at 12:47pm

Old U.S. road bikes were 27 * 1.  If you can measure the bare rim height above the floor, distance to the bead from the rim edge, and the width of the rim, we can tell you the exact size.  Knowing the special character would be able to eliminate some sizes, I.E. 1.75 or 1 3/4.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html 

Or post a photo or take a rim to a shop to try on tires.

Permalink Reply by mike w. on March 31, 2018 at 2:32pm

Few if any 3 speeds were equipped with 27" wheels.

Permalink Reply by Robot Gabe on April 2, 2018 at 10:24am

Thanks all!

I did order a few sizes to try and they all were wrong. Including a 27"..way to big and a 26" but not the right one.

Going to give the Panaracer Col de la Vie tires a shot since those are also 3mm wider than the other EA-3 tires.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on April 2, 2018 at 10:38am
Gabe, just curious, what size did you ultimately decide were the correct size?
If you ordered and tryed out the tires, unless you are going to return them, sell them here on the Chainlink.
Permalink Reply by Robot Gabe on April 2, 2018 at 10:41am

After some more research and this chain I'm pretty sure that the EA-3 26" x 1 3/8" are the correct size. I'll confirm once I order and put on.

I returned the non working tires. I knew this was going to be a trial and error so I was purchasing off amazon. Would love to go to a LBS if anyone knows a place on the northside that stocks Panaracer Col de la Vie Tires in EA-3 size.

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