Hello All ,
1.) I decided to go ahead and post this to the C. R. List . Sorry for any duplication . Sorry if there are too many words here . Just trying to spread the information around . This is just from my limited experience on the WWW .
2.) About Dennis Young's post concerning Clement tires , and who is really making them , and who is really receiving the profits , I wrote :
Bicycle tires , Seen as trading pieces in the fluid dynamics of collective global commerce and politics . Or , as a very wise man once said , "You can't tell the players without a scorecard !"
I also wrote :
According to information about "Veloflex" brand tires ( admittedly provided by a large Veloflex dealership ) , the brand name "Veloflex" makes absolutely the ONLY bicycle tires which are still hand-made in Italia . The story I heard years ago is that this is where the talent went , when Clement moved out of Italia . Too bad that NO ONE seems to make any tires at all with silk casings anymore ! Whatever happened to the fine hand-made silk tires from ; Clement , Vittoria , Pirelli , d'Alessandro ???? ( I loved my good&cheap Hutchinson SuperSprints . But did Hutchinson ever make any hand-made silks ? ) Hand-made , silk , tires , made in Italia . Those were the days .
Oh yes my good shop-keeper , I'll take a few pair of the red label "Pneumatici Clement" , in the "Bee's Nest" tread pattern please .
Or perhaps , let's just make those the green label , "Campionissimo Seta Extra" in the "Herringbone" .
And I say , have you any "Mastice Gutta" to accompany them ? I'll send my man to pick them up straight away ( in the time-machine ) .
3.) Recently someone posted a notice about inexpensive sew-up tires , made by d'Alessandro & available from a bicycle shop . Before that , there had been discussion about whether or not The Yellow Jersey , in Madison Wisconsin , and Mr. Andrew Muzi , were still in business . Hey!! That bargain deal , for those good inexpensive tires , was from Andy @ The Yellow Jersey . Please note , they are still in business , he is still alive and well ! Also please note , in my experience , Andy is one really GREAT person to do business with !
4.) Recently someone asked about tire supplies . Not too long before that , someone else had asked something similar . I have recommendations , with several Web addresses :
For information on Veloflex tires ( either sew-up tires for tubular rims , or wired-on tires for hook-bead rims ) , or for simply a terrific selection of tire supplies , for bicycle tires ;
( a World Class Cycles page )
Or ,
http://www.worldclasscycles.com/
And , for that great deal on d'Allesandro tires ;
http://www.yellowjersey.org/
( a Yellow Jersey page - obviously )
Or ,
And , for the ULTIMATE PHOTOGRAPH of bicycle tire supplies on the WWW ;
http://www.yellowjersey.org/
Also , here's the Site Map . Use the site map page , and scroll down for links to scans of Reynolds Tubing "Top Tubes" brochure , SunTour Catalogs , Huret , Maillard , etc. , etc ;
http://www.yellowjersey.org/
Note ** World Class Cycles is the authorized U.S.A. source for Hetchins Lightweights , wow !
Note ** I can personally testify that The Yellow Jersey , and Andy Muzi , are absolutely great to do business with , wow !
In addition , you should go to ;
http://www.bikecult.com/
Or ,
http://www.bikecult.com/
Why ?
Note ** This site is just so entirely fascinating , wow !
Their museum exhibits of bicycle greats , along with bicycling curiosities , are just plain wonderful .
( besides , I have it on very good authority that Mr. Dave Perry is one exceptional human being ! )
5.) Finally , for some very good advice on patching sew-up tires , or for replacing entire tubes in sew-up tires ;
http://www.bicyclesource.com/
I have yet to replace an entire latex tube , in a sew-up tire . However , after reading about this method , I think it sounds mighty fine . I'm ready to try it !
Oh ! And if you have NEVER patched a sew-up tire , I STRONGLY recommend that you set aside some time , sit down on the floor with your little pile of supplies ( butter knife for peeling base tape , needle & thread , patches , adhesives , paper towels , etc. ) , and make yourself COMFORTABLE !
If you own a working television , a very slow & relaxing patch of a sew-up tire might last for about 1 & 1/2 situation comedies . Again , let me say that's really taking your time .
If you're not a television person , try some Miles Davis .
If you're not a music person , or a t.v. person , it makes for most excellent silent mediation time .
Or you could always try talking to somebody while your fingers are busy making something useful again .
Seriously , just relax . It's a craft . It's good therapy . Enjoy .
Cheers ,
Raoul Delmare
Marysville Kansas