Big 451 tires for your Pocket Rocket

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Harry Travis

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Jun 21, 2025, 4:57:17 AMJun 21
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Just when I thought I'd switch over to 406 bsd based wheels for a Pocket Rocket Silk, I see there is ARE less skinny tires available for 451 rims, the Tioga OS20 Powerblocks. The 1.6" wide tires should fit the PR, even if the 1.85" wide tired do not.

And they are in stock at several sources.

Has you used these tires? (OS stands for oversized, and Tioga does not even acknowledge they are for 451 rims.)

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Harry P Travis
Portland Oregon USA 
18.5

Eric Daume

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Jun 21, 2025, 6:08:48 AMJun 21
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I've used the Powerblock in the 406 size, it's a nice tire. A little bit of noise, but it seems to roll well.

Eric

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Carl Hemmings

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Jun 21, 2025, 8:56:31 AMJun 21
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Hi, any tyres with 20 x 1 1/8” nominal, is more likely a 451mm BMX fast racing tyre. Which is ideal for a PRP. 
Regards Carl. 

On 21 Jun 2025, at 18:57, Harry Travis <travis...@gmail.com> wrote:


Just when I thought I'd switch over to 406 bsd based wheels for a Pocket Rocket Silk, I see there is ARE less skinny tires available for 451 rims, the Tioga OS20 Powerblocks. The 1.6" wide tires should fit the PR, even if the 1.85" wide tired do not.

And they are in stock at several sources.

Has you used these tires? (OS stands for oversized, and Tioga does not even acknowledge they are for 451 rims.)
--

Hugh L

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Jun 21, 2025, 9:43:39 AMJun 21
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The 451 Tioga 1.6” tires will most likely NOT fit a standard PR frame for the following 2 reasons.  First, is the straight taper of both the fork and the rear triangle stays.  I know 1st hand as I had 2 PRs built as 451 Llamas, and only the U-shape of the PL’s fork and rear triangle would accommodate the 1.6” Tiogas.  Second, you will have to trim the extension of the steer tube that extends below the fork crown.  The height profile of the Tioga mounted on Alex DA-22 451 rims caused the tire to be blocked as it pressed against the tube.

Another issue with the Tiogas is mounting them on non-Tioga rims.  I had to use long-stem presta valved tubes as the stem has to be pushed back into the tire when mounting on rims typically used by BF; Tioga rims are wider than standard 451 Sun or Alex rims.

Hope this helps,

Hugh Larkin
Meridian, Idaho
Travelin' the Globe on 2 Small Wheels and on 2 feet!

You have no such accurate remembrance of a country you have driven through, as you gain by riding a bicycle. --Ernest Hemingway, 'Battle for Paris', 1944
Seeing it when walking is also good - Me, 2014.

Go Green!  Please do not print this e-mail unless it is completely necessary.



Carl Hemmings

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Jun 21, 2025, 7:52:03 PMJun 21
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The 451 Tioga 1.6” ( 40 mm) tires may not fit a PRP, but the 451 x 1 1/8” (28mm) will, with plenty of room.
Regards Carl. Melbourne

John Thurston

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Jun 21, 2025, 8:26:00 PMJun 21
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The PowerBlock is my second favorite tire (in the 406mm BSD size). It is light, flexible, (relatively) inexpensive, and quick. I find the 44mm version runs well for me at 45psi.

As others have pointed out, the design of your fork may be the limiting factor.

Re: Tioga

I find their 'OS' designation distasteful. They make a mess of things by selling 451mm BSD tires in decimal-inch width, and don't even acknowledge the 451BSD. That doesn't mean I wouldn't try them if I had any 451mm wheels, just that they would bug me.

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John Thurston
Juneau, Alaska
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Josh Brown

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Jun 21, 2025, 8:28:21 PMJun 21
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John I'm sure I can find out about searching past threads but what's your favorite 406 tire?

Josh

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Dave Feldman

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Jun 21, 2025, 8:48:00 PMJun 21
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The 1 13/8 Power Block iis iffy for a PRP; the square edges didn't clear the rear wishbone or the front dual pivot Ultegra brake caliper on my wife's bike.  Her and the bike's happy place have been Schwalbe One 451 x 28's.  Professional mechanic and amateur framebuilder speaking here--I hate short rim brakes!  Nothing is more limiting of a bike's versatility.

David Feldman 

Vancouver WA


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John Thurston

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Jun 21, 2025, 9:38:37 PMJun 21
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Schwalbe HS-434 'Shredda' * !!

'course, they aren't made any more :( But they are fantastic tires, and if you ever come across a set on flea-bay, or facebook, or anywhere, you should not hesitate** to grab them.

I have one set of 50mm left. They are on my Llama now, and I'm going to miss them terribly when they are gone. Light, supple, fast, quiet. They scratch every itch I have. Whey they do expire, I have a couple of sets of 44mm which will need to see me through. The 44s will pack in the suitcase more easily, but they won't handle trails as well as the 50s.

* Be careful. It looks like Schwalbe has reused the name for the HS-638 tire

** Also be careful, there are both 120TPI and lower TPI versions (with wire beads) out there. My experience is only with the 120TPI folding bead tire.

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John Thurston
Juneau, Alaska

info bikepartners.net

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Jun 24, 2025, 5:42:15 PMJun 24
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The Maxxis 451 ETRTO size are good.


Geoffrey Smith, owner
BikePartners Folding Bikes and Recumbent Trikes
707-595-0386 text/phone

From: y...@bikefriday.com <y...@bikefriday.com> on behalf of Hugh L <sirfla...@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2025 6:43:21 AM
To: Carl Hemmings <bikefrom...@gmail.com>
Cc: Harry Travis <travis...@gmail.com>; y...@bikefriday.com <y...@bikefriday.com>
Subject: Re: [yak] Re: 451 tyres
 
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