As someone else mentioned, the tire availability is pretty poor. And new high quality rims aren't out there as far as I know. But there are a couple bits of good news.
First, if you must have 26x1 1/4 That's the size Schwinn usually labeled 26x 1 3/8. so some old schwinnrims, and some IRC or Kenda tires(I forget which brand makes them, possibly both) And you're rolling on the right size at least.
The other good thing is that 26x 1 3/8 EA3 rims usually fit. I used them on my Lewis that originally had 26x 1 1/4 And it worked out just fine. The ones I used were inexpensive replacement rims like you'd use for a very cheap US built 70's 10 speed, so I'll replace them once the right deal comes along. Tire selection isn't much better, but at least more shops carry them.
Steve Birmingham Lowell, Massachusetts USA
Message: 9 Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 19:28:25 -0400 From: "Dr. Paul B. Williams" <castell5@sympatico.ca> Subject: [CR] What's a fellow to do? - 26 X 1 1/4 rims! To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Evening all,
As noted last week, I am about to bound into a new project by taking on Neil Foddering's beautifully refinished 1941 Imperial Petrel (Joe Cooke). It has been a while since I have undertaken a project of this type and a while since I have been trolling EBay for necessary parts. But, as I watched a pair of Constrictor 26" X 1 1/4" soar over the 160 GBP mark + shipping, I began to wonder about the continuing availability of rims of this size - they certainly don't appear that often and attract a lot of attention.
So what's a fellow to do? My Carpenter is kitted out with a very nice pair of Fiamme Yellow Label clincher rims in the correct size (interestingly with 36 holes) which I obtained from a fellow lister. Does anyone have any spare 32 and 40 hole 26 X 1 1/4" (EA1) rims or even correct wheels for an early-40s machine that they might be willing to part with and won't completely blow the budget?
There is, of course, another option which I am not sure would be considered kosher here, but might solve a problem re. tyres long term. That would be going for something like a Sun CR18 polished rim in a 26 X 1 3/8 size (EA3). The difference is only a matter of 7mm smaller. These are available it appears in 32 and 40 hole drillings. Has anyone else contemplated this as an alternative to the EA1's? How would they look by comparison with the correct rims of the time for a racing bike? I know the EA3's were standard on British 3-speeds. Any comments welcomed.
Paul Williams, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Dr. Paul B. Williams, BAH, MPhil, PhD Instructor, Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada