Jane and I have the 27 x 1-1/4" Pasellas on the mixte I built her in '80 and my Jack Taylor SuperTourist. We love them on pavement and limestone Rails-to-Trails paths.
Unlike many tires these are every bit as big as advertised. At least on Super Champion Mod 58s. When I replaced the 27 x 1-1/4" Contis on Jane's bike, I had to go to wider fenders. And when I asked if they felt any different she said "I feel like I'm sitting higher.".
I have a Trek 720 which is similar to your wife's 620. I don't think I could run these on the Trek with fenders so I just picked up some 1-1/8" Pasellas. I haven't installed them yet but the 700-28s are also true to size.
On my 720 I run 27s because the canti pivots are very high to give good leverage with 27s. With 700s, unless you are using a wide rim, the brake pads are moving as much downward as inward.
The Michelins are very stiff. Our Pasellas, non-Tourguard, are nice and supple. We run them at 70psi rear, 65 front.
Don't confuse the current 27 x 1-1/4" (630-32) Pasellas with earlier 27 x 1-1/4"s that were labeled 630-30 but measured smaller.
On 5/2/10 5:40 PM, Leonard Diamond wrote:
> Greetings all,
>
> My wife and I are planning on riding from Pittsburgh to Washington DC this
> year along the GAP trail (former railroad right of way) and the C&O Canal
> trail (towpath). Kathy will be on her 1984 Trek 620- with its 531 lugged
> frame and non indexed derailleurs it is appropriate for this group! I will
> be on my 1980 Trek 910 with Columbus SP tubing and all on topic components
> (except the pedals-forgive me).
>
> Both have 27 inch wheels and I'm not really in the mood to switch out to
> 700c. Does anyone have experience or suggestions as to what might be
> appropriate tires for this trip? In 27 x 1 1/4 (or 32-630) I'm considering
> the Schwalbe Marathon, Panaracer Pasela Road or the Michelin World Tour. If
> they fit the frames/rims there is also the 27 x 1 3/8" Kenda KrossCyklo.
>
> My main concern is reliability and off road capability as opposed to period
> correct appearance. Both bikes have been around the world with us and this
> trip is a good excuse to get them back in shape. Haven't done much touring
> since the kids came but they will both be away at the same time for part of
> the summer (Hooray!).
>
> Len Diamond
> Ridgewood, New Jersey USA
>
>
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