flairpin

Hey everyone. I know there's a recent thread about rim size for touring, but it refers only to 700C wheels and not 27", and while I can do simple conversion from mm to inches I'm still a little unclear about how it translates to my situation.

I've got a great early 80s Bridgestone tourer that is built for 27" wheels. I want to keep it that way (for international touring reasons) but am having a hard time finding double-walled 36 hole rimmed wheels. The only set with those features I can get my hands on are 27x1 (although it could actually be 27" x 7/8"). So...
1. Will a 27 x 1-1/4 tire fit that rim?
2. Will that rim be good enough for some long touring with medium loads (40-50 pounds)? I weigh 130-140lbs and the bike itself is pretty darn light. But potholes and unforeseen road hazards are unforgiving and (as we know) shockingly common once you hit the wide open highway.

Obviously I'd like a 1-1/4" wide rim, but it's next to impossible to find one that is double-walled and eyeletted. I do not want to tour on a single-wall (although I may leave the front wheel alone as is), though if I would if that were my only option.

Your opinions are appreciated!

LeeG

what are the exact models of rims you are looking at?

Sun Ringle CR18 would be an excellent touring rim that you could put a 1 1/4 tire on.

https://www.bikeman.com/RM8486.html

seeker333

Same cr18 rim, a little cheaper - aebike is free ship>$75, ebikestop is free ship >$109

https://aebike.com/product/sun-cr-18-...m8486-qc30.htm

https://www.ebikestop.com/sun_cr_18_2...hed-RM8486.php

However, it doesn't sound like OP is a DIYer -

https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/wheels/630.html

This is a good time to consider converting the old 10/12-speed to 700c wheels and tires. You may need to also get longer reach brakes. 700c wheels need brake pads mounted 4mm further in towards hub than 27" wheels, so the brake needs a slot with 4mm of radial movement inwards to work.

https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...te-wheels.html

flairpin

I can't tell you what exact models of rims I'm looking at because I don't have them with me at the moment; they belong to a set of complete wheels that a bike shop has for sale, and for a fair price, too. They're not anything easily recognizable, just some good-looking rims and a decently high flange hub. They are of course used.

The CR18 looks alright except that it's only 22.5mm wide - less than inch. Which leads me back to the original question: Can you tour on a rim that is less than an inch wide?

I WOULD build up a wheel if I had no other choice.
Anyways, thanks

bwgride

Yes, one can safely tour on the CR-18 despite being less than 1" in width. The key is rim strength and tire width. The CR-18 has an inner width of 17.5mm. According to Sheldon Brown, the following tire widths should fit fine for that width rim: 25mm 28mm 32mm 35mm 37mm. So that is a range of 1" to 1.5" inches tire width. Here's Sheldon's site (see table at bottom of page):

https://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

The rim you reference being 7/8" (22.2mm) wide seems to have similar dimensions to the CR-18, so similar tire widths should apply. In case this was not considered, tires should be wider than rims.

Given your weight, bike weight, and luggage weight (assuming weight distributed over both front and rear wheel), single-wall rims will probably be just fine for touring if the spokes are properly tensioned.

seeker333

Your frame probably won't take a tire much larger than 27x1.25 or 700x32. A rim as narrow as 15mm (inside) will mount a tire this size. 22.5mm is more than enough rim for any tire you'll ever buy. MTBers routinely mount >48mm tires to 19mm rims.

https://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

seeker333

funny

i meant to add @140 lbs why do you even worry

jfowler85

On my commuting rig, before I wrecked, I was running aero (v style double wall) Arya 27x1s with conti gatorskin 27x1 1/4s. The bead set fine, and I had no troubles mounting or dismounting the tires. The biggest problem I ran into was that the tire is ginormous, and left no room for fenders...a trade off considering the the tires were so comfy to ride on.

I'm switching over to 700c though, and still have the wheelset/tires (they have less than 250 miles on them altogether) and would happily hook you up if you pm me. The hard coating is rubbed off on the braking surface where the rear wheel is out of true, but over all in great condition. I'm looking to get rid of them with someone who will love and use them...I'm pretty sure I'll never come across that wheelset again. Rebuilt miche comp hubs, btw.

Edit: Reread your post...my wheels do not have eyelets. Let me know if you're interested.