Note that the tires Bob sells are 650B, not 650C... which fit into the time frame, and are hard to find. 650B was the "non-racing" size in France for a long time. First with "ballon" tires (52 or so mm) (pre-1950), then with "demi-ballon" (half-balloon, 38-42 mm - 1930-1960), and finally with 32 mm tires.
Today, beyond Mitsuboshi, Michelin also makes a nice 650B tire (but black, and 30 mm wide). I really like the Mitsuboshi ones. We used the 38 mm (actual width 35 mm) version on our Paris-Brest-Paris ride. Comfort, roadholding and durability were wonderful - a great all-around tire.
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Jan Heine, Seattle
Editor/Publisher
Vintage Bicycle Quarterly
http://www.mindspring.com/
How does this fit in the pre-1984 vintage time frame for CR posts? I did not know that 650c rims were made back then...
Regards, Steve Neago Cincinnati, OH
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