Classic & Vintage - modern tires with gumwalls

Are there any good quality modern tires(700 x 23) with natural colored casings(gumwalls) like the ones from Veloflex?
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t75/pedalforce/t_689.jpg

I'm looking for something around 250ish grams, like a modern racing/training tire. The ones from Veloflex tires aren't very long lasting.

Panaracer. Vittoria, I think. Some Continentals have a nice dark reddish sidewall. All I can think of now.

Vredestein Fortezza.

I've put Gommitalia's Calypso K's on three bikes in the past month. They come in the classic gumwall scheme, all black, red/gum and blue/gum. The claimed weight is 200g, they have a very nice 220tpi casing, and have a quick-feeling spin to them. They're Thai made, I think in the Tyger plant that makes Vittoria's. Retail is around $35-$40 each, your LBS may do you better. Gita distributes them in North America.

For my money, they're the best tire out there. Great grip and road feel, and an unbeatable price.

I bought some gum-sided Specialized tires "with Armadillo technology" several years ago. I like the look of gumwalls, but I have had bad experience with the sidewalls rotting prematurely, so my next tires (coming up soon) will be blackwalls.

+1 on the Gommitalia Calypso's as well as their Targa model. Good looking & great riding tires but they weren't very durable & got cut up quickly on my local roads.

I bought a set of the Panaracer Paselas - non Tourgard versions - for $12 each. I figured they would be a good temporary set for the latest build ('85 Fuso) while I make the adjustments. Plus, they'll look good in the photos.

Took them and the Fuso out for a 25 mile inaugural spin - I have to say I didn't notice them as I was too busy thinking about other things with regard to this bike - which is a good thing. I wasn't expecting much from these tires and they exceeded my expectations.

55/Rad

I found some NOS Specialized on my shelf purchased about 10 years ago (I think). I've ridden them for the past 500 miles or so and no problem. I like the look — the bikers' version of gangster (not gangsta) white-walls. :D

I found some NOS Specialized on my shelf purchased about 10 years ago (I think). I've ridden them for the past 500 miles or so and no problem. I like the look — the bikers' version of gangster (not gangsta) white-walls. :D

Specialized Turbos? Those things are probably the best skinwall clinchers ever made.

-Kurt

Yep! Turbo/A :D They're treating me right. I take it that they're no longer available?

Yep! Turbo/A :D They're treating me right. I take it that they're no longer available?

That is correct, although one of the local shops down here has a few of them on hand (unfortunately, I refuse to go to that shop, and they're all mainly 27"s).

You wouldn't happen to have another spare pair of 700C Turbos on hand, would you?

-Kurt

That is correct, although one of the local shops down here has a few of them on hand (unfortunately, I refuse to go to that shop, and they're all mainly 27"s).
-Kurt

Errrr, what shop would that be? Do they do internet sales? I could use some nice whitewalls in 27"...

East Hill

Vredestein Fortezzas are available with skinwalls for about $30 each from biketiresdirect.com, but only in size 700x25. They weigh about 250 gm.

Panaracer TGs w/ kevlar bead weigh less than 300 gm and available at lickbike.com for about $25 each. Only size available is 700x27 but they supposedly fit more like 25s.

Rivendell Roly-Polys are available in in 700x28 and weigh less than 300 gms. They cost about $40 each and only available from rivbike.com.

These are the only decent folding, relatively light weight skinwall tires that I've been able to locate other than the Veloflex.

Errrr, what shop would that be? Do they do internet sales? I could use some nice whitewalls in 27"...

They do not do internet sales...for better or worse. I will not publish their name, as they don't deserve any positive plugola in my book.

If you don't mind riding on cheap-o whitewalls though, find a dealer for F&R Lowrider Company parts - they will be able to get you Duro-brand 27" tires in whitewall in a variety of treads (see http://www.fnrco.com/ - Consumer Area > Tires). Got some for a Globus 2000 I had once:

http://www.jaysmarine.com/BDC_bikes_globus2000_lg.jpg

Take care,

-Kurt

That is correct, although one of the local shops down here has a few of them on hand (unfortunately, I refuse to go to that shop, and they're all mainly 27"s).

You wouldn't happen to have another spare pair of 700C Turbos on hand, would you?
Would I tell you if I had? ;)

But unfortunately, no.

If you don't mind riding on cheap-o whitewalls though, find a dealer for F&R Lowrider Company parts - they will be able to get you Duro-brand 27" tires in whitewall in a variety of treads



They have all manner of interesting tyres, haven't they? Thanks!

East Hill

Michelins like these. They look like training tire 280grams in a 700X23

http://two-wheels.michelin.com/2w/front/affich.jsp?codeRubrique=2092004115348&codePage=2092004115348_10092004150323&lang=EN

They have all manner of interesting tyres, haven't they? Thanks!

East Hill

Yes, they do! Besides 27"s, they are also my source for whitewall 26X1-3/8" / E.A.3 tires for Raleigh Sports and the like (my '51 wears a pair of whitewall Duros) - they look quite nice.

Take care,

-Kurt

Michelins like these. They look like training tire 280grams in a 700X23

http://two-wheels.michelin.com/2w/front/affich.jsp?codeRubrique=2092004115348&codePage=2092004115348_10092004150323&lang=EN

I had a pair of those. Puncture magnets par excellance.

Just a point of clarification.

"Gumwall" refers to the thickness of the rubber on the sidewall of the tire, not the color. You can have natural (tan) gumwalls or you can black gumwalls or white gumwalls for that matter.

"Gumwall" is the opposite of "skinwall". "Skinwall" tires have little to no rubber covering the casing. This cuts down weight, lowers rolling resistance but make the tire more easily damaged.

Panaracer still makes narrow skinwalls in a natural color.

Just a point of clarification.

"Gumwall" refers to the thickness of the rubber on the sidewall of the tire, not the color. You can have natural (tan) gumwalls or you can black gumwalls or white gumwalls for that matter.

"Gumwall" is the opposite of "skinwall". "Skinwall" tires have little to no rubber covering the casing. This cuts down weight, lowers rolling resistance but make the tire more easily damaged.

Panaracer still makes narrow skinwalls in a natural color.

Who knew? You learn something new every day.

So what's the proper term for beige sidewalls?