What Size 24″ bike tire do I need?
I get lots of questions about understanding and sourcing 24″ tires and tubes. We use this size on our smaller bikes. Here’s all you ever wanted to know about the 24″ size. And if it’s not — leave a comment and I’ll be glad to help.
First, let’s talk about tire designations. 24″ is a very broad term. It’s best to refer precisely to the tire/tube size. This is done by referencing the bead seat diameter — the diameter of the tire’s bead, which rests inside the wheel rim.
You can tell what tire size your bike uses by reading the impressions on the sidewall of the tire. Typically, they will look like this: XX-YYY. The first two numbers are the width of the tire in millimeters and the second three numbers are the bead seat diameter in millimeters. This applies to all sizes of tires, not just 24″.
For instance, if your sidewall reads 25-520, your tire is 25mm wide (about an inch) with a 520mm bead seat diameter. Armed with this information, you can order the correct tire/tube for your bike.
This tech page from Schwalbe explains much more about the size markings on tires.
Terry has used two 24″ road sizes — 600A, with a bead seat diameter of 541mm and 24″, with a bead seat diameter of 520mm. The 541 size was used very briefly on only one Terry model — the Precision — for a limited time in 1985 – 1986. Later Precisions and all other Terry road bikes which are built with a 24″ front wheel use the 520 size.
Terry hybrid/mountain bikes using 24″ wheels front and rear have a 507 bead seat diameter.
ROAD BIKE TIRES/TUBES
Most Terry bikes use 24″ wheels with a 520mm bead seat diameter.
Sources:
Terry Bicycles carries a variety of 24″ (520) tires/tubes which can be found here.
Your local bike dealer can order 520 tires/tubes from Quality Bicycle Products, 800-346-0004 (wholesale only).
Here is a list of some 24″ tires that are available:
Panaracer Pasela 25-250
Terry Tellus 32-520
Schwalbe Durano 23-520
Older Terry Precisions used a tire size popularly called “600A”, which has a 541 bead seat diameter.
Source:
Schwalbe RightRun 25-540 (part number 10282387). More information available here.
The Schwalbe RightRun comes closest to the Wolber Rallye 22mm tire originally specced on the Precision. The fit is quite tight (because it’s 1mm smaller than the original Wolber), but it will work. Schwalbe also carries presta valve inner tubes (part number 10519213) which can be found here.
HYBRID BIKE TIRES/TUBES
Tire Source:
Schwalbe Kojak 40-507 (1.5″ wide). This tire is a slick, but rides beautifully! Unless you’re on gnarly roads, it’s the best. – Information can be found here.
Schwalbe Marathon Plus 47-507 (1.75″ wide) A very robust tire. Not light, but bomb-proof! – Information can be found here.
Inner Tube Source:
Schwalbe offers a variety of 507 inner tubes with either presta or schrader valves — AV10 and SV10. See here for more information.
REPLACEMENT WHEELS (520 or 507 size)
Do you need a replacement road or hybrid wheel? You or your dealer can obtain these from Velocity USA (800-453-6126). Velocity supplies all the wheels for my hand-built bicycles.
Comments
I see that the smallest 24 inch tire now offered on the Terry website is a 25 and the 32 Tellus is no longer available. Do you know of any sources for wider 24″ tires for my Terry Classic?
I assume you have a 24″ front wheel? If so, try the 24 x 1-1/4 Terry Tellus: http://www.terrybicycles.com/Accessories/tires-tubes-1/tellus-tire-24-x-1-1-4-32-520.
The tire is back on the site. It is backordered until mid-April, but you can place an order now:
http://www.terrybicycles.com/Accessories/tires-tubes-1/tellus-tire-24-x-1-1-4-32-520
Vittoria makes a 24 in Rally Junior. JUNIOR 24 in
I would like to add a fender or at least a front splash guard to my Terry Classic with the 24″ (32 Tellus) on the front. Any suggestions? The only one available seems to be the Wald for 24″ tires, but it appears to be too wide at 2.5″
If there’s enough clearance between the tire and the underside of the brake, try 700c SKS Chromoplastic fenders. They are supple enough to wrap around the 24″ tire without buckling. Or, for a quick on and off fender, try Planet Bike clip ons.
I have 700c SKS Chromoplastic fenders on my Terry Classic with 24” front tire. They work perfectly.
Also, in case anyone is wondering about front racks for the 24” wheel, I have a Spartan rack designed for Tern bicycles on my Terry Classic. It carries one pack on each side (no platform) and fits over the 700c SKS Chromoplastic fender.
I have a nice Armidilla tire on the back of my Terry Trixie bike. I would like a more heavy duty tire on the front. Any suggestions?
My wife has this 1985 Terry Precision 44cm all original (even the original 600a tires and tubes!). It was ridden one time then put in attic for decades! I plan to get it ready for my daughter to ride it, so I bought those Schwalbe Rightruns and new tubes that Georgena suggested (the original Wolbers still look brand new, but wanted to play it safe). Upon passing it down to daughter, it has been sitting in the house unridden 🙁 She inherited her mother’s lack of passion for cycling so let me know if anyone is interested. Contact me at adimperial@gmail.com
Hi, I am considering buying a 80’s Terry Dixon bike for my daughter and it has a 600A 541 tubular rim. Is there a replacement clincher rim available? That keeps the geometry of the bike in tact.
Also is the Dixon made in NY or Japan? It has Campagnolo rear dropouts… thank you!
Hi — Terry never made a model named “Dixon”. We did make the Precision, which used a 600A clincher rim. This rim is used almost exclusively on wheelchair rims now. Spinergy (http://www.spinergy.com/catalog/home.php?siteid=2) makes some very high end rims in this size which would be appropriate. The 600A bead seat diameter is 541 mm. The wheelchair rim BSD is 540 mm. One millimeter should not affect the geometry.
Thank you for the quick reply and information where to find ISO 540 rims. The bike am considering is listed as a Terry. They may have incorrectly identified the bike? or a repaint with personal logos? (Dixon is on bottom tube with a “D’ on head tube.)
Google Terry Precision bikes and they have semi-vertical rear dropouts. Had you made a Precision or other bike with Campagnolo horizontal dropouts? Maybe something custom made to order? Thanks again!
Sounds like a repaint or a personalization. Yes — the Precision models had semi-verts. We might have built a custom bike with Campy horizontals, so I can’t rule that out.
Hi there. What tire will work on the 1986 Despatch with a Araya 24″ hookless rim? Thanks!
You have a couple of choices — the Panaracer 24 x 1 (25-520) or a Schwalbe 23 x 1 Durano (23-520).
Where can I get replacement tire (and tubes) for my Terry Flora (24×1.25, 32-507)? (I’m training for a road cycle–the Cinderella).
Will the 32-520s work? Do I need to purchase 32-520 wheels?
thanks!
You can get tubes from Schwalbe. You’ll need a 32-507 size. The 520 size is for road 24″ tires.
Hi,
I just learned that Schwalbe Marathon Plus 40-507 (1.5″ wide) is no longer available. Will you please suggest another tire for Susan BX 24 inch wheel with 1.5″?
Hi — I’m riding the Schwalbe Kojak 24 x 1.50 (40-507). Great tire — highly recommended:
http://www.schwalbetires.com/product_search?field_etrto_value_many_to_one%5B%5D=507-40
Thank you Georgena!
I know this is about 24″ wheels…
Which tires do you recommend for replacement for Terry Tailwind 650 tires?
Back to Schwalbe — both the Schwable One and the Ultremo ZX are available in a 23-650.
http://www.schwalbetires.com/product_search?field_etrto_value_many_to_one%5B%5D=571-23
Terry also makes a 650c in a 28mm width:
http://www.terrybicycles.com/Accessories/tires-tubes-1/tellus-pt-tire-x-c-
A little on the heavy side, but a real workhorse.
My wife has an older Gambit model that needs new tires/tubes. I see where 700c is listed on the rear tire of the bike but I can’t tell what size is needed for the front. Can you tell me what size tires and tubes I need?
Thanks!
I’m assuming the front tire is a 24″? Here’s the tire:
http://www.terrybicycles.com/Accessories/tires-tubes-1/pasela-tire-24-x-1-25-520
Here’s the inner tube:
http://www.terrybicycles.com/Accessories/tires-tubes-1/Presta-Valve-Road-Tubes (order the 24 x 3/4-1.10)
Hope this helps.
Thank you for your help, Georgena!
Thanks for all this great info! Do you have some advice on how to source a 24″ wheel for a vintage Terry Despatch? I’m finding so many options online and none seems just right. I am expecting to find a lightweight 24″ x 1″ wheel but I find many ones at 24″ x 1.75″ or 24″ x 1 3/8″. It’s confusing. Thanks!
You need a 520 wheel. 520 is the ISO designation for the 24″ wheel used on Despatch. It can be purchased from Velocity USA: 800-453-6126.
Good luck!
Hey Georgena, sorry to bother you again but I don’t see any tires or tubes on your website to match the rear tire of my wife’s Gambit. It says it is a 20-622 or 700 x 20c. Do you have any available, or any recommendations to go with the Pasela 24 x 1 front tire you recommended, and carry, on your website. Also any tube recommendations for the rear wheel? Thanks so much for your help!
Hi Lin — Panaracer makes the Pasela in a 25 and 28 mm width. 20 mm was stylish “in the day”, but it’s outdated now. Wider is in! So — go with the wider Pasela which will match the front. We don’t sell this tire, but you can probably find it on the web, or your local dealer can order it (and tubes) from Quality Bicycle Products, a wholesaler used by all the dealers.
Hope this helps!
Georgena
can you tell me the difference on the iso 520 rim that they sell on velocity website compared to the iso BOX Focus 24″ BMX Mini Rim – 520mm ISO
BOX Focus 24″ BMX Mini Rim – 520mm ISO Close •Low-profile design that eliminates excess material
•Machined sidewalls and single eyelets
•Hub Drilling: 28
•Wheel Size: 24″
•Tire Type: Clincher
•Color: Black
•Brake Compatibility: Rim Brake
•Brake Track: Machined
•Width: 12 mm
•Manufacturer Spec ERD: 520 mm / 24″ mini bmx
•Valve: Standard Schrader
they sell on Universal Cycles website? would the iso 520 BMX wheel work on the Terry Classic that I have, is this as good of a rim to use for the road bike.
I don’t have any personal experience with this BMX rim. 12mm seems really narrow, though! The Velocity rim would be much more appropriate for the Classic — it’s a traditional road rim.
That’s the info I needed, going with the velocity, thanks again georgena!
Can i use a 23- 520 tire ( swale durano) on a rim that today go with 25-520 ?
I am also looking for inner tubes ( 25-520) with longer than 48 mm valve – Any suggestions
Yes, a 23-520 will fit as well as a 25-520.
No suggestions for a 48 mm + valve…
Hello Georgena,
And thank you for taking questions from folks. I have inherited a nearly never ridden Gambit that I would like to donate to a good cause here in my area. Everything is original and basically tuned from the get-go. However, I need to replace the tires and tubes (and add adaptors because I will use Presta valves going forward).
The rims are both labeled as Araya. The rear wheel is labeled as 27″, so I gladly bought and installed a 27×1 (25-630) Panaracer Pasela (gumwall) to the rear – no issues there. The front has no size labeling, the sticker just says “Japan” and “ARAYA”. It is clearly a 24″ wheel, but I could not mount a 520 ISO (a Pasela) because it was too small. Perhaps I need to “try harder”, but I visited several desks here at QBP including the product manager for tires and he couldn’t mount it. So I bought a Kenda 24 x 1-3/8 (32-540) from Harris and it was so overly large that the bead could encircle the rim without touching it!
I’m sure I’m missing something simple. Was the Pasela 520 ISO the right tire and I just need to get better help mounting the tire? What about the Schwinn 24 inchers, which are “521” – is that the in-between size I want?
Thank you for entertaining this question. I know that many answers are on the internet, but I’ve tried my best and need some additional help. Thanks again,
Elliot
Hi Elliot,
I’m sure you’ve already covered the same bases I have: digging out many editions of Sutherland’s Handbook in an effort to figure out what that wheel is. The Gambit design was licensed to a now defunct French company in Long Island which imported and sold the bike. There were two varieties — one made in Japan, one in Taiwan. The Japanese model followed the spec of our other bikes, but the Taiwanese bike was an outlier in several respects. One was the “24” front wheel.
I’m at a loss except to recommend that you try to measure the actual bead seat diameter of the wheel. The tire that fits that BSD may no longer exist, but maybe it does… Without knowing the BSD exactly, it’s hard to tell. The people at QBP really know their stuff, so this may have already been recommended. Keep me in the loop and let me know what you find out — it will be helpful to others who may have the same problem.
Georgena
Hi Georgena,
And thank you for your reply. My Gambit has a “Made in Taiwan” sticker that I assume is original/authentic. I have done two different sets of measurements now that place the ISO between 520 and 540mm. I personally believe this is from imperfect manufacturing, that the ISO is not intended to be non-standard. While we got two different ISO’s in our calculations, they both confirm my experiences with 520 and 540 tires on this wheel. I will let reader’s make their own calculations.
My options are to see if a rim swap is possible, thus maintaining as much of the original components as I can. Option 2 is to pull out all the stops and set aside time to try mounting a 520 Panaracer Pasela. If that fails, I would look at a Sta-Tru 520 QR wheel – not a great product, but I don’t have the time/resources for option 4: building a custom wheel.
The bike is in the best condition of any used bike I’ve ever had. I’m really hoping I can make one of the options I laid out work, because it would be a shame to lose this frame and get just the parts. Do you have any thoughts or questions on what I’ve shared here so far?
Thanks again – Elliot
I should clarify, I would never tear my Gambit down for parts. I would find it a home with someone at QBP who could build a custom wheel or figure out other solutions.
Have anyone tried to use a 451 mm inner tube inside a 520 mm tyre? Would the inner tube stretch enough?
Why not just use a 520 inner tube? 451 would definitely be a stretch (literally).
Hello Georgena!
I have a Terry Symmetry-possibly pre-1990. My frame seatpost is 49, the top tube is 50. I have a 24′ front wheel. The rear wheel is 700. The width of the wheel is 23cm-25 cm. Is it possible to get a 700×28 tire on it? I was worried about it not clearing the brake and frame brake hanger (don’t know name)? Its really close to the top of the brake with a 700×25. Thank you and love your bikes!
Hmm — if it’s already close to the underside of the brake arch with a 25 mm tire, I don’t think 28 mm is going to work. You may be able to get it in with a tiny bit of clearance, but if a stone gets picked up by the tire and lodges itself under the arch, that’s bad!