tucsonrider

I just bought a mint condition 1986 Raleigh Technium at a swap meet yesterday. It has the original tires and tubes so I would like to get some new ones. In the '86 catalog it does not state the size. I took the tire off and the tube says, "IRC 27x1, 27x1 1/8, 700Cx25, 700Cx28" does this mean I cannot use 700Cx23 tires and tubes? I saw a set of 700Cx23 Continental Gatorskins with tubes on craigslist for a deal so I was hoping I could use them. Bear with me im kinda new to all of this. Here is a pic of the tube:

cehowardGS

On my 1985 Raleigh Prestige that I just got, I am getting a set of 700x23 tires for it. In fact, on my 1985 Raleigh Competition, and my two 1979 Raleigh Competitions, I got 700x23 on all of them..

The ones off CL, are they new, the color scheme you want???

I like the white strip in all my tires, ebay got some good ones that run the gamut in prices from $30 a pair on up..

Whit51 

Your wheels are probably 27 inch, unless they've been replaced with 700c. Take a look at your tires---they are probably 27 X 1/18 or 27X 1/14.
The 700's your looking at on Craigslist require a 700c wheelset.

tucsonrider

To cehowardGS:
I havent seen the tires yet. They are described as 7.5/10 and come with tubes for $20. They should go ok with the bike even thought I would prefer a black sidewall.

To Whit51:
The tires are way to dry rotted to read anything off of. I was told to look at the tubes to find the tire size which has not proven to be helpful.

tucsonrider

I just figured out that they are 27" rims with 7/8" tires which seem to have gone extinct. Crap

10 Wheels

Nope:
https://compare.ebay.com/like/1805804...=263602_304692

tucsonrider

Yea $90 for old tires is kinda out of my budget right now

roccobike

YOu can get 27 X 1" from Performance for around $10 each. I use their low end tires on my 27" rims and have been very satisfied for the price. Yes, Pasellas are probably better, but they cost more.

USAZorro

This poor fellow lives where goathead thorns come into play. I think he's going to hope for 27" AND armor plated.

tucsonrider

Huh?

I think I'll just convert to 700. They fit and I wont need new brakes or anything.

JunkYardBike

Here's a good primer on tire sizing: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

You can change widths of a tire depending on frame clearance and rim width. I'd suggest 27 x 1 1/4" if you can for best comfort (but be sure frame clearances allow). 27 x 1" varieties can be very narrow, and I can't even imagine 7/8"! Unless you're into narrow, high pressure tires...

WNG

I had a 1986 Technium 440 that past through my hands, I recall it came with 27 x 1 1/8" tires. If your tires are too dry-rotted to read their sidewalls, then inspect the rim. May say the size on a sticker or stamping.

Grand Bois

I suggest that you don't take any more advice from the person that told you to get the tire size from the tubes.

tucsonrider

Im riding on 27x 1 1/4 now on my other bike. I was looking for something smaller/faster/lighter but oh well.

cehowardGS

Correct me if I am wrong, you just landed a MINT 1986 Raleigh, correct?

Even with me being a newbie, I am quite sure that that bike came with 700c wheels.

With that in mind, and you got some off size wheels on the bike, I would go with a set of NEW 700c wheelset for around $100 to $120, and a set of tires between $30 and $50 on ebay. I am talking new stuff here too. I

In my humble old opinion, I think the Raleigh deserves, especially if she is Mint!!

I just got a mint 1985 Raleigh Prestige, the wheels got dings, and the tires are UGLY. I am getting a set of new, sharp looking wheels off ebay for $120, and spending $30 to $50 for tires, then no more worry about wheels and tires, and they be looking SHARP too.

roccobike

Yes, Techniums came with 27 inch wheels.
On another subject, no one has cautioned the OP about purchasing 700 C wheels with 130MM 8/9/10 speed spacing between the dropouts. I admit I've never tried it, but there were all kinds of postings some time ago cautioning owners of those aluminum/steel glued/bonded frames NOT to try to increase the spacing. I'm not just referring to not cold setting, but to forcing a 130 wheel into the existing 126mm space. I've never tried it, but did notice the warnings because I've had at least 4 bikes (two Raleighs, two Univegas) that I had with those frames. Supposedly the stress on the stays translates to the main tubes and it can cause cracking of the bonding. I can't say one way or the other if this a valid concern. But there have been enough caution statements made on this and other forums that I bring it up here so the OP is at least aware of this concern.

cehowardGS

Ha, I was in over my head on saying that "they came with 700c wheels"... I see now they came with 27 wheels.

My bad.. Such are the ways of a newbie!!