Bike Tire Question

stevej37 · 09-09-2025, 09:53 AM

The rear tire of my 12 yr old Vilano needs to be replaced. I ordered the correct size online 700x35 and it was delivered today.
I somehow made the mistake and ordered a 'Clincher' tire.

Will it fit on my regular old rim bike?...or do I need 'Clincher rim/wheel?
If it will, do I need a special tube?

If it won't work, I can send it back.

Thanks!

917_Langheck · 917_Langheck's Garage

"Sew ups" are glued to the wheel, and "clinchers" used wire beads to rest within the wheel, retained by the "j" rim.

"Normal" tires are the same, in general, as clinchers.

There can be differences in tire bead profile and rim retainer structure that won't keep a tire in place, but that really shouldn't be an issue in most cases.

stevej37 · 09-09-2025, 10:14 AM

So..I'm pretty sure my bike rim doesn't have that ridge being 12 yrs old.
That means it won't work....correct?

Or am I over-thinking this and should just go ahead and try it?

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

The easiest way to get an answer to your question is to post a picture of your rim without the tire mounted on it.

Jeff Higgins · 09-09-2025, 10:27 AM

Clinchers have been around at least since I was a kid in the 1960's, used on every bike that is not a hard core road racing bike. "Sew-up" or "tubular" tires used to be the default on higher end road racing bikes but have long since been pretty much replaced by "clinchers" even for that use. I really doubt they even come as big as 35mm in cross section, the ones I had experience with were as narrow as 19mm, with the widest I remember being 23mm. I think it's a safe bet you have a clincher style rim. Just pull the tire off and look.

stevej37 · 09-09-2025, 10:35 AM

Before I posted here...I googled my question and watched a couple videos.
Both mentioned the clincher tires need a clincher tube. If that is true, I'll need to get one.

I wasn't planning on switching it right away...it's on my Vilano belt drive and the rear tire takes some time because of the rear hub.

icemann427 · 09-09-2025, 10:52 AM

Pretty much, anymore, a tube is a tube is a tube, other than its size and intended use...Whether or not it is stated as being a "clincher". Since the present tube is old, you probably should replace it, anyways.

Sew ups were old lightweight racing tires/wheels where the tire is glued to a thin wheel so you would know if you had sew ups by being required to tear it off of the wheel. A sew up tire has the tube sewn into the completely cross sectionally round tire, and I don't think there were any bikes that even came with sew ups 12 years ago or riders who used them...But I could be wrong.

My bike, of a long time ago, had sew ups and for the most part thought they were great but as technology progressed, they became outdated an no better than high performance clinchers...

Jeff Higgins · 09-09-2025, 10:58 AM

I just took a look at the Vilano website. I'll guarantee they do not sell any bikes with sew-ups. That's not their market. Your bike has clinchers. Make sure you get a tube with the correct valve stem, I bet your bike has Presta valve stems. That you can tell from the outside, just by looking, without having to take anything apart. This is the most common valve stem for anything above a hardware store quality bike. Cars, motorcycles, and really low end bikes run Schrader valve stems.

stevej37 · 09-09-2025, 11:05 AM

I'm sure it doesn't use sew-ups...I changed both tires a couple times since new.
I have spare tubes 700 x 35-43mm with presta valves....I was planning on using one for this until I watched those videos.

I have 4 bikes...all take Presta valves.

The main reason I was concerned was that I've never seen the word 'Clincher' on previous tires that I've purchased. This CST tire was $45 from Amazon.

Thanks for the help...I'll plan on using the new one.

masraum · 09-09-2025, 11:17 AM

LEAKYSEALS951 · 09-09-2025, 11:22 AM

It's totally fine.

99.99% sure Your bike is a clincher type hooked rim, and the tire should fit.

herr_oberst · 09-09-2025, 11:23 AM

The tire you ordered will work fine. The tube you have will work fine, too.

(leaky beat me to it)

stevej37 · 09-09-2025, 11:25 AM

I've changed tires on all four of my bikes....they all had tubes.

I was expecting the tube tires to be split up under 'regular' and 'clinchers'....that's where I was confused. If I hadn't seen the tag on the new tire saying 'Clincher tire'....I would have not even thought about it and asked.

stevej37 · 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

It's totally fine.

99.99% sure Your bike is a clincher type hooked rim, and the tire should fit.

I should pay more attention to the bike tire ads....today is the first I've heard them called 'Clinchers'.
I immediately thought it was a new tech that was being used and my bike is old.

.

stevej37 · 09-09-2025, 12:21 PM

Here is an older pic of the bike.....there's a frame break-away to get the tire out....and a small window on the hub to realign two green dots after changing the wheel or belt.
It's an eight speed.

herr_oberst · 09-09-2025, 12:25 PM

Clincher tires. Looks like you have a presta valve up front and a schrader out back. Probably just a trick of the light.

stevej37 · 09-09-2025, 12:44 PM

^^^ Good eye!....they are different, but only in the stem length. The front has a longer stem than the back, but both Presta's. I must have goofed on the reorder for the front tube years back.

I did have one bike from Dunhams that I paid about $150 years back for mtn biking. It was a pos and had Schrader valves. I gave the bike away and it prob went to a dumpster afterwards.