Jerry Moos wrote:
>Sheldon identifys 587mm as limited to a few GT models, but maybe
>that is only in
>USA. Was 700D/587mm sufficiently widespread elsewhere that Arraya 587s would
>have been easily available in Europe? (I think it is possible this bike was
>originally sold in Europe).
The "700D" size was a made-up size by GT, never used by any other
bike maker. GT, however doesn't make rims nor tires. The tires I
have in stock were made by National in Japan. I don't have any 700D
rims (and who'd want them?!?) but when they were available, GT would
have subcontracted them to some major rim maker, and Araya would seem
to be the most likely candidate, being Japan's premier rim maker.
>Are 587 tires available for mail order from UK or
>the continent? If not, I'd probably be best served to rebuild with
>650B rims if
>the current ones prove to be 700D.
I'm sure that 700D tires are even scarcer in Europe than they are in the U.S., since the great bulk of GTs sales has always been in the U.S.
This French tandem was undoubtedly built for 584 mm (650B) wheels. That is the traditional size for French touring tandems and loaded touring singles.
There is a limited amount of interchangeability between 584 and 587. Your rims might be either size. I'd suggest removing one of the tires and re-installing it. If it fits snugly, the rims are, quelle domage, 587 mm/700D. If it feel loose, the rims are most likely the correct 584 mm/650B size.
Sheldon "Demi-Ballon" Brown
Newtonville, Massachusetts
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