Bicycle Mechanics - Wayback Machine: 27" x 1-1/4"

I'm rescuing an old Atala Grand Prix from the Corruptions of Moth and Rust.

It's been years. . .please help me ressurect an old memory from the 27" rim days.

1. Will a 27" rim [currently holding a crumbling 1-1/4" tire] take a 1-1/8" tube-and-tire?

1.a. If technically possible, is it unwise?

Many thanks.

You won't have any problems.

I have an Atala Giro d'Italia in similar shape. One of my next projects, although the frame is way too small for me to personally ride.

You won't have any problems.

Agree. Ride one all the time.

Only potential problem in this regard, I believe, is with similar vintage Schwinn wheels (not your situation) - discussed on Sheldon Brown's site, among others.

gotta love the thought of my old Giro 'd:) my first more than 3-speed bike. Alas, stolen after 3 years, replace with a beloved and now retired-Bottechia

gotta love the thought of my old Giro 'd:) my first more than 3-speed bike.

Yeah, me too.
Mine is out in the barn, and ridden every other day or so.
I think I've replaced everything but the frame and fork, bars, headset, wheelset, and seat tube.
Top

No problems, I have actually seen people run tubes one size too small as a way to save weight without buying a "Ultra Light" (more expensive) tube.

Shouldn't be a problem. However, I'd convert to a 700c. I stuck with 27" for ages but I gave up back in the mid-90's and 27" was becoming a rarity then. They are like hen's teeth now. Your selection of tires is huge with 700 while it is very limited with 27".

Rims, like brake pads, chains, bearings, cogs, chainwheels, cables, etc are consumables. They can, and probably should, be replaced from time to time. If you don't know how to build wheels, use this as an opportunity to learn.

I think 27" rims are certainly getting scarce as hen's teeth. I have a brand new set of 1972 Shimano wheels in 27" and I think they could become a collector item. It is strictly a replacement market. 27" tires are available from almost every manufacturer. I recently bought a pair of Vittorias for my Garlatti. IRC, Kenda, Bontrager, Michelin all have 27" tires. 700C tubes are fine with the 27" tires. Switching to 700C wheels will require a new set of brakes to reach to the smaller diameter rim.

Shouldn't be a problem. However, I'd convert to a 700c. I stuck with 27" for ages but I gave up back in the mid-90's and 27" was becoming a rarity then. They are like hen's teeth now. Your selection of tires is huge with 700 while it is very limited with 27".

Rims, like brake pads, chains, bearings, cogs, chainwheels, cables, etc are consumables. They can, and probably should, be replaced from time to time. If you don't know how to build wheels, use this as an opportunity to learn.

Make sure brake arms will reach the correct spot on the braking surface before you try this switch, otherwise you'll want to get some different brakes too. I've had issues going back and forth between 27s and 700s. They're either too long or too short, and brake arms don't always have the play to cover the switch.

I think 27" rims are certainly getting scarce as hen's teeth. I have a brand new set of 1972 Shimano wheels in 27" and I think they could become a collector item. It is strictly a replacement market. 27" tires are available from almost every manufacturer. I recently bought a pair of Vittorias for my Garlatti. IRC, Kenda, Bontrager, Michelin all have 27" tires. 700C tubes are fine with the 27" tires. Switching to 700C wheels will require a new set of brakes to reach to the smaller diameter rim.

While 27" tires may be manufactured, finding them is a different matter all together. I live in a bicycle crazy market and I couldn't tell you where you might be able to find them. You might be able to order them but I wouldn't hold my breath on when they might get to you. I haven't looked on-line, however.

Changing to a 700c wheel may or may not require a brake change. I've done it on a couple of bike without problem but both bikes had cantilever brakes. Borrow a wheel (front one) first to see if there is going to be a problem and then proceed.

maybe hard to find on the road, but easy on the internet...
http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?category=121&subcategory=1258&storetype=&estoreid=&init=y&pagename=
You can even find cyclocross tires for 27" ...
http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=TR2117
you can use 700c tubes in 27" tires/rim combo.

For everyday use, I've been very happy with the IRC Road Winner Duro II tires that Nashbar stocks. Nice classic tan sidewall (though the line between black and tan can be inconsistant at times). I've got two bikes with them now. My LBS stocks at least 2 or three brands of 27" tire.

Nashbar still sells 27" rims and complete wheels. They are getting hard to find but can be had.

As mentioned above, going to 700c wheels requires a 4mm lowering of the brake pads so be sure you have that much adjustment before buying anything. I've made the switch on two early 80's bikes and the brakes were able to span the difference.

My LBS made a huge order of 27 X 1, 1 1/8, and 1 1/4 tires. I was shocked when I saw them hanging on the wall and asked why. He led me to the back where bicycles are waiting to be serviced and he had 6 vintage bikes that people had pulled out of where ever they had stored them and were having them serviced in order to avoid driving a motor vehicle and needing to purchase expensive fuel. Out of a 100 tire order he had already sold 48 of them. When I walked out of the store with a pair of 27 X 1 1/8 tires I had increased that number to 50! They're going on an old Suteki I purchased for $5. I had mounted 700c wheels and tires and no brake problems were encountered but after having purchased another bike I decided to restore the Suteki back to the original parts as they cleaned up nicely. What's a Suteki? Find out at this link. http://www.touringonbikes.us/suteki.htm

27 inch tires are not that hard to find, but if you changed to 700c you would have a much larger selection.

This convert-to-27" discussion always goes the same place.

I don't know where you are, but here in NYC, all the casual, rec riders are on bikes with 27" tires. It's not that hard to find replacements in such a market.

-I just got five different pairs of 27" tires from Nashbar, and I'm quite happy with them.

-If you're in a big city with a lot of thieves, the 27" wheels really are far less appealing as targets.

-If you're converting from old steel wheels anyway, then go ahead and switch to 700cs, but if you just want to use what you have, the 27" are fine, and you don't have to wonder about new brakes.

-It's really not necessarily worth it to spend twice as much on your wheels than what the entire bike itself is worth, either. And if you want to sell it later, you're not going to recover that cost at all (though I suppose you could just sell the bike and hold onto the 700cs.)

I just bought two cheapie 27x 1-1/8" tires from the local Performance shop... Right there on the rack by all the other tires. Kevlar belted, cost me a whole $17 each.

The two I bought before that were bought at Walmart (27x1-1/4) ... $10 each, and they're still on my '72 Schwinn Super Sport.

1. [B]Will a 27" rim ... take a 1-1/8" tube-and-tire? --- Beware that inside the rims of some old 27" wheels have straight sides instead of hook-bead sides. Those old straight sided rims will not hold high-pressure tires. (over 90 psi)