Last night I spent about 3 hours changing tires on my bike. The local places wanted $ 30 - $ 35 a wheel for changing tires if I brought in only the wheel. I suppose that I spent about 2 hours of time wrestling the tires on/off the rim.....the other hour went to taking wheels on and off the bike, getting a drink, adjusting the radio, etc. I guess $ 30 an hour savings for my time is worth it. I finished about 10:15 - so it was too late to take a ride last night.
Knowing that I might be changing tires more than once, I mounted some T-Nuts in the back of a piece of plywood, cut a couple of oak boards, and used some long bolts to make a way to pull the beads off the rims.
![](http://i59.tinypic.com/162901h.jpg)
The tires are definitely smaller. The rear one is not that noticeably smaller and looks fine. A wider tire would look more "manly" - but this evenings ride will tell which handles and ride better.
![](http://i62.tinypic.com/14j6u12.jpg)
The front tire is only slightly narrower - but is definitely shorter in height. I don't like the way the front fender fits anymore. If this tire works out better I will have to go with a shorter radius fender - lowering the fender would only get it close in the middle and the ends would still be high.
![](http://i62.tinypic.com/2dwezye.jpg)
So...the test ride tonight will let me know if this is the right thing. I will take it easy for a while to get the tires scrubbed in. If the bike doesn't handle any better.....then I can go back to the 100/90-18 front tire on the existing 2.15x18 rim. For the back rim if I go to the 130/70-18 tire I will change the 2.50x18 rim to a 3.50x18 rim....which is what that size tire is supposed to be mounted on. These smaller tires don't do much for the looks of the bike - the rear pulley and other parts of this bike are kind of beefy looking, and the bigger tires help to compliment that look. It is not a dainty little RD350 or similar petite looking bike in some respects.
Dave