Classic & Vintage - Tires For Raleigh Competition Gs

Calling on all Raleigh Competition GS owners!

I have a 1978 Raleigh Competition GS with Weinmann 700 X 25 rims. I bought the bike used but in excellent condition, save the tires. So, I thought no problem, I'll spoon on a set of new rubber. Well, the tires - Michelin Dynamic 700 X 25 - will not stay on the rims!!!

I'll install one of these tires and all appears OK for 30 minutes or so, and then - BANG! The tire shifts off the rim and the tube pops with a deafening noise.

So what gives??? I noticed that the Weinmann rims do not have a bead, which may be contributing to the problem. What tires are other ’78 Raleigh Competition owners using?

Desperate for a solution,

Jason

I believe the 78 GS had the Weinmann concave rims. No hooks. I ride on these same rims on my 78 Supercourse and like them a lot. I use Conti Ultra 2000/3000 700x28 with wire beads (wire beads are essential if you don't have hooked rims) and pump them up to 100 lbs. I've ridden thousands of miles over the last two seasons on these rims and have never had them come off the rims.

Kranz,

Thank you for the quick response.

Yes, I do have Weinmann concave rims. Acording to an old Raleigh brochure, my '78 Competition had 700 X 25 tires. However, you say you are running 700 X 28 tires, which are slightly wider than stock. Why not run a 25mm width tire? Or, does the Conti Ultra only come in the larger 28 width?

Thanks,

Jason

I think that the diameter of the tire (which varies a little from manufacturer to manufacturer) may have more of an impact on blowoff than tire width...700x25 is a pretty wide road tire. I haven't used Michelins in several years, and so don't recall if they are easy to get on to the rim or not...but having just mounted some Specialized and some Continentals today, I can vouch for their tight fit. I have some of these wheels with 700x23 Continental Grand Prix' - haven't had any problems either.

Wasn't there a tire standard for non-hooked rims?

Kranz,
Yes, I do have Weinmann concave rims. Acording to an old Raleigh brochure, my '78 Competition had 700 X 25 tires. However, you say you are running 700 X 28 tires, which are slightly wider than stock. Why not run a 25mm width tire? Or, does the Conti Ultra only come in the larger 28 width?
Jason

I'm a heavy biker (220lbs) so I've stayed away from narrower tires. I've heard comments from people that the the Conti Ultras although labeled 700x28, actually run a bit narrow and are actually more like a 700x25. I've not actually measured them to verify this, but thought I'd mention it FWIW.

The other reason I use this size is that they are dirt cheap at Nashbar. In the winter, they go on sale and with possible Nashbar discounts, I've frequently paid less than $10 for them.

I also ride these same tires on two Raleigh Competition GS ( a 78 carlton, and a ~80 Japanese GS) bikes although on hooked rims (Mavic Module E, Araya). Though cheap, I feel they don't lack performance. With Campy hubs they really roll and I can kick butt even though I have only vintage bikes.

The only complaint I'd have is that I have had a fair number of flats, although I do ride a lot of miles. I've been considering the Conti Ultra Gators. More expensive, but my spouse has these and it seems like she never has a flat.