Help: Tire Size for 250lb rider??

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Hi all. First post here. I have an older mountain bike (1996 Kona Lava Dome) which has been in storage for about 5 years. I wish to get it back on the street now. The tires have rotted beyond hope, so I need to replace them. My problem is I weigh about 250 pounds now, and I am concerned that my old tire/rim size combo may not be adequate anymore.

I have Mavic 238 rims, size 559x17. My old street tire size was 26x1.50, and off-road tire was 26x2.10.

Would 26x1.50 street tires on these rims be ok given my current weight?

The last time I did any serious riding I was under 200 lbs, which is one of the reasons I want to get back to riding.

Thanks very much,

Andrew

Oops, I forgot to mention. I will be splitting my riding time between city streets and hard pack dirt/gravel roads about 70/30. I won't be doing any off-road riding. So I am looking for a tire which would be well suited to go from asphalt to gravel roads. Can anyone suggest a couple tires like this?

And any online dealers in the United States which are good for orderings parts and supplies?

Thanks again

Andrew

Recommend Specialized Nimbus Armadillos...the side casings are a bit stiffer plus you get the flat protection. BUT they are a heavier tire, so there is a tradeoff. If you pair the tires with thorn resistant tubes, you should be able to handle just about any condition or weight.

Read the reviews...one reviewer weighs 240:
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Tire/product_72394.shtml