Replacement tires for "heavy" team

[NDbulldog]

I am overhauling the tandem that we bought 20 years ago. It has hung in the garage most of that time with little use. I need advice on the strongest 27 inch tubes and tires available as we have grown through the years and don't want to blow the tires out the first time we ride it. Any advice will be appreciated.

[zonatandem]

How heavy of a team are you? 27-inch tires are getting a bit scarcer fo find now as 700c and 26" tires are pretty well in vogue now. If your LBS does not stock them some of the catalogs do, like Nashbar and Performance.
Tubes for 27" are almost as scarce but a 700c tube will do in a pinch. Any good quality tube/tire will fit the bill.
Would not overly worry about blowing tires off the rim. Have seen folks who weigh 500 lbs total ride 27x1 1/4 tires. Do inflate to the recommended tire pressure.
What kind of tandem is it that's been hanging for such a lon time?
Welcome back to riding 2-gether!

[NDbulldog]

How heavy of a team are you? 27-inch tires are getting a bit scarcer fo find now as 700c and 26" tires are pretty well in vogue now. If your LBS does not stock them some of the catalogs do, like Nashbar and Performance.
Tubes for 27" are almost as scarce but a 700c tube will do in a pinch. Any good quality tube/tire will fit the bill.
Would not overly worry about blowing tires off the rim. Have seen folks who weigh 500 lbs total ride 27x1 1/4 tires. Do inflate to the recommended tire pressure.
What kind of tandem is it that's been hanging for such a lon time?
Welcome back to riding 2-gether!

Thanks for your reply. We are under the 500 lb mark but not as much as we would like to be. It is a Santana Arriva that hung in the garage. We bought it in 1984 and I've noticed the prices have risen a little bit since then. It is a wonderful bicycle and we loved it then and hoping that our knees are good enough to enjoy it now. If not, we will have to look for a recumbent tandem. Thanks, again.

[spacerconrad]

We have an Arriva, though a bit newer, with Panaracer Pasela TG tires. Check with Nashbar, I'm not sure but they may be available in 27"
we are about 400lbs on 700x35 Paselas. They work fine, except for one little incident which had nothing to do with the tire's ability to support us.
(posted elsewhere)

[ccrider]

I would suggest Continental Gatorskins. They make these in a 27 x 1-1/4 and it's a tough tire- has excellent puncture resistance and good mileage. Plenty of tandems come spec'd with Gatorskins.

[2intexas]

Absolutely concur. Nashbar has Conti Ultra Gatorskins in 27x1 1/4 for about $35 each. Best tire we've ever ridden. Might find 'em cheaper elswhere, but that's a pretty common price. Be sure to check the trueness of your wheels before you re-tire. Hanging in the garage tends to lead to frozen/rusted spokes and nipples. Great that you're taking the bike out of mothballs...