Tires Tires - Armadillo for 27 x 1 3/8 wheels ?

VTBikeman

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My bike is a 25 year old panasonic steel frame with a 80cc HT motor on it with 27 x 1 3/8" tires. I weigh about 215, the HT motor about 25lbs and the steel bike itself is not light. I am frustrated with flats on the rear. The last thing I tried was the old tire inside of a new tire for double thickness which worked for a while.

I was riding a few days ago when I heard that dreaded firecracker sound and the rear tire blew. I don't think I hit a hazard but I may have inadvertently put too much air in it. My front tire is at least 25 years old with no problems. However I've been through 5-7 flats since I built the bike last year on the rear tire. I've had mystery flats, snake bites and blow outs, one from a hole in the pavement.

Recommended tire pressure for the rear is 90 lbs. I put it there to avoid snake bites.

When the last blow out came I just slowed way down and coasted the last 1/4 mile home down a hill. I noticed the tire beads were completely outside the rim on both sides when I got back. I'm guessing that might happen riding on a flat to any tire or does it indicate anything?

I came across the Armadillo tires and am thinking of putting them on or possibly a solid tire. Is this wheel size just to narrow to expect good tire life?

I have been scouring the threads here and the Armadillos seem to get good reviews. Some solid tires seem to get mixed reviews and I assume are a bi-atch to put on or get off.

The roads can be pretty rough here in Brattleboro, VT and I hesitate to go any significant distance on this bike.

Any help would be appreciated, esp. opinions about tire size for this bike.

Under inflation vs full inflation?

Similar size bike results?

Thanks
VT Bikeman
 
get a different bike. you need a wider tire with that much weight

I'd tend to agree with pdx....even the cruisers have stickers warning "Do not add an engine to this bike", (the warranty being voided is what that is about), but I rarely use a tire less than a 2.0, fat enough to put a thornproof tube and tire liner inside.

There was a discussion about this "tire inside a tire idea", and my diagnosis is the thicker rubber of the jagged edge of the inner tire abrades through the tube. It will rub through even the thicker rubber on the thornproof.

(However, the tube inside a tube idea might work....I dunno till folks report back).

If you find that Armadillo, that might do the trick.

But if not, I'd say get a heavy duty 26" bike, which has a lot more possibilities of improvement.

Good Luck......
 
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I agree , with the above. You really need a bike with bigger tires. You will feel a great improvement in the ride, too.
 
Thanks for the replies. One issue I have is insurance. The bike IS a Panasonic, it is legally a moped in my state and very few will insure it if it is considered homemade so I was able to insure as a Panasonic Moped without questions.

To be honest the bike is a little too big for me but this insurance issue has to be addressed.

If I can find a 26" or 24" wheel and move the rim brakes to work with that that might solve several problems by lowering the bike a bit and allowing a wider tire closer to the axel between the rear forks.

It just may be too much work. I might try the Armadillos.

Anybody know if Panasonic still makes bikes?

Thanks,
VTBikeman
 
I see the Armadillos on a lot of web sites. Who would you recommend as a dealer with a good rep? East coast preferred but a good dealer is more important.

I can deal with the ride quality. I've learned to do that.

I looked up Panasonic bikes. These are incredibly built because bikes were a passion of Mr Matsu****a who owned Matsu****a which owns the trade name Panasonic. He was raised in a family that ran a bicycle shop.

VTB

I just saw the website edited out the 4 letters that mean feces in English but is part of their name.
Technology rolls on.
 
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..Had two flats right off the bat with new tires...put on the kevlar treaded Specialized Hemispheres and heavy duty thorn proof tubes..no flats in 100miles....I think these are about the same as the armidillos and were easier to find....but 138 might be a little small...your call
 
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Panasonic bikes are awesome. They make great garage finds.

I have been wondering how one would do with a roller drive or a happytime on it.

I can't believe you'd roll anything on 25yo tires!

New tires are only $10-30 and super tubes are about $10 now, cheaper from mail order houses.

I expect you can put a 24" or 26" wheel on the bike easily if you have a 1x1 coaster brake setup or if you WELD a bracket for a wide caliper brake. With a 26" rear wheel your pedals will drop about 1.5", keep that in mind, and your steering angle will slacken (slower steering perhaps). Niagara cycle Works NY has some wide caliper brakes with shoes and lever for $6/ set (one caliper brake and one "v" lever).

Panasonic does not make bikes anymore, sorry.
 
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I have to agree with others in this thread that you should get a different bike.

Decent road bike or not, one of these engines should not be put on a road bike.
 
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