Rolland

Hello,

On a set of aluminum ARAYA wheel rims; it’s stamped with 27 x 1-1/4 w/o HP. What does HP stands for? I thought; it is for a clincher and not for a tubular tire. Now, I worry, that the ‘w/o’ means ‘with-out’ clinchers. The rims came with a set of tubes and clincher tire. Is this the proper combination? I certainly don’t need another crash, mind you the last one was caused by a chain reaction in a group and not of a tire coming off.

Thanks Roland

pahearn

Can't you just look at the inner profile of the rim to-be-sure? If it has a significant "lip" it's a clincher. For example, do a Google image search for "clincher rim" and then another for "tubular rim".

-p

powers2b

I find it interesting that you ride in a group and don't know the diff. between a clincher and a tubular rim.
It should be obvious from about 5 ft away.

Rolland

Thanks guys, I looked on the inside now and it has no hooks, groove --- what so ever. Therefore it got to be a tubular. Those wheels came from a bike shop and had an inner tube and clincher tires on them. I have been riding on them for a few months. Now, I bought some new tires, for more pressure and I guess I assumed wrong. I’m a new guy to cycling, but not new to sports and have therefore no problem keeping up to a lot of seasoned riders. In matter in fact, I just got asked last week to join a team for a Team Trial Time race. What would be the best way for me? 27 in tubular are pretty hard to find or should I try to find an older set of 27 in clincher rims?

HillRider

You do not, in all likelyhood, have a tubular rim. What you most likely have is an old-fashion, straight wall, non-hooked bead clincher rim. It takes clincher tires but, since there is no bead hook, you are limited to about 90 psi or less in any tire you use to avoid blowing the tire bead off the rim.

Take these rims to a knowledgable bike shop and have the type confirmed. There is a good reason you can't find 27" tubular tires.

Rolland

Thanks Hillrider. I’ll go and get it checked out tomorrow --- I won’t ride them till I’m certain.

meatwad

Without high pressure. I think that one set of arayas that I have has the "hook" and doesn't have that stamped on them. I know that most of these bikes with these rims had tires in the 85- 90 psi range. Seen 110 psi tires that I could try on them but decided not to. Might be perfecty safe but figured I wasn't that interested to find out. Dont know actually what they specifically have in mind when they say "high pressure ."

Nashbar and amazon has loads of these tires.

Rolland

Just came back from our friendly local bike shop. The rim is defiantly a clincher. Now, I can sleep again! Thank you all for your comments --- have a safe ride.
Roland