----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Butler" <pariscycles@yahoo.co.uk> To: "CR Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 4:36 PM Subject: Re: [CR]British Tubulars & British sprint rims
> Dunlop made a range of tubs numbered form 0 to 10. The zeros were the
lightest, a cotton tub for the track at 6oz. Their heaviest was the number
10 at 17.5 oz a training tub.
> Constrictor was another well known brand of British tub. These were not
sewn up at the base but had their own unique construction.
> Dunlops did make sprint rims they weighd 12oz. Constrictor already
mentioned and how about the short lived excellent Birmalux sprint rims.
Anybody got any of these?
Many thanks, Michael... I was just going to post asking about the cryptic references to Dunlop no. 5s etc. in the bike reviews in "Cycling" etc.
I find it extraordinary, having grown up with them, that Dunlop just vanished from the cycling scene in the 1970s. They invented much of it! And poof! all gone. I think I bought the first of many of those iconic yellow Dunlop tyre patching kits when I was 10 and saved up to buy the tyre pressure gauge that came in that neat yellow tube. And how can there be lightweight bicycles without Dunlop HP Roadracing tyres? There were Dunlop saddles, too, of course. Just a shame. Even if they were still around, it would just be the Dunlop name stuck on more Thai-made rubber.
I think Hilary Stone, of course, has had Birmalux rims either as a wheelset or on a machine before.
Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA