Steve Leitgen wrote:
"Group; I have dug out a half dozen Clement Colnagos (Criterium Setas) that have been aging? for the last 25 years in a damp basement. They seem to be usable (with the rim strip and side walls a bit crusty and dry). so the questions are.. (and no they weren't stored nicely the way they should)
1) Are these usable or dumpster fodder? 2) Is there someone who can recondition them?"
Steve, these sound like dumpster fodder to me. I will mail you a special recycling box for them with return postage already on it to save you the trouble of carting them off to the landfill.
Sriously, if they were mine I would put about 5lbs of air in them, roll them onto unlaced rims, add another 5lbs of air and then paint the sidewalls with Mr. Enox's Special Tonic (aka Jevelot Tire Life, available at all fine LBSs near you or probably from Steve Willis). Then take a look and decide whether to use them just for show or on gentle, dry-weather rides.
Dave Ross Portola "still waiting for dry-weather riding" Valley, CA
PS if you don't want to deal with all of that, the recycling box offer is open!