[CR]How to ID 650 vs shrunk 700 tubulars?

(Example: Framebuilders:Alberto Masi)

From: "Eric Elman" <tr4play@cox.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <004901c75c3a$efbe4070$cbf1d045@ts>
Subject: [CR]How to ID 650 vs shrunk 700 tubulars?
Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2007 22:29:00 -0500
reply-type=original

So I'm sorting thru a gaggle of older tubular tires and while I had always thought they were 700 in size, some are so small when I try to get them onto a 700c rim that I am wondering if they are actually 650's. I can't see how these could stretch to fit a 700 rim - could they shrink that much over the years - they are 15 - 25 years old but still in reasonably supple condition and NOS so there is no glue on them if that makes a difference. How would one tell the difference if there is no size marking on them?

Help please.

As always, thanks in advance,

Eric Elman
Wet, cold and raw Somers, CT USA