Fred Rafael Rednor <fred_rednor@yahoo.com> wrote: Tom,
27 inch tubulars and 700c tubulars are the same size.
For example, if you were to measure the current Continental
tubulars designated as 27" (for example the Sprinters) and also
measured their other tubulars, you'll see that they fit the
sized rime.
I'm sure that there are historical reasons for this anomoly,
but - as yet - no one has let me know what it is!
Cheers,
Fred Rednor - Arlington, Virginia (USA)
For some reason early on rims seem to come in 2 sizes.28" and 26"(denoting the total tire diameter)But not all tires of a given size give the same total diameter.All 27" tubulars,700 tubulars and 28" single tube tires all fit a 25" rim.But then a Mr.Charles Kingston Welch invented a way to attach Tires to a rim using wire in the edge of the covers.So the Dunlop-Welch wire-on detachable tire was put on the market in 1892(Bartleets bicycle book)As you see in the rydjor collection early clinchers rims has a separate bead wall attached---complete rims must have followed quickly.So if you follow a long on this a 28" clincher tire(English roadster size)is a singletube tire with the bottom cut off(giving it a larger hole in the center)mounted on a 25" rim with a bead wall added(making it larger)But still a 28" tire,making the rims interchangeable on these frames. Racing tires have always run smaller than the roadster tire even in hi-wheeler days.So if you put a racing tire on a 25" rim how would you denote it as a racing tire?I believe they're called "Sprints", but is the total tire diameter of sprints 28" or is it less?Now if the year is 1932,and you work for a tire company that's claim to fame is the wire bead tire,and you want to add a wire bead racing tire to what you make---the question you need to answer is what to call it.Somehow 28" wire bead clincher sprinter just doesn't roll off my tong.Something short and easy to remember like 27s.Fast forward a few years --now everybody knows 27s as a racing bike tire,why not call sprinters 27" tubulars to make them somewhat different than 28 tubular touring/road tires. Will a 29" M/B tire fit my 700s rims? sam lingo,pleasanton tx
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