Originally Posted by
Velocivixen
My Paselas are 27 x 1 1.4" & measure 32mm width with digital calipers. Yes, I'd love wider ones too without having to go the "cross" knobby versions. I tried some 700c wheels on my mixte (which sports it's original 27" wheels), and I thought the 700c wheels looked "insignificant" compared to the 27". I know there's not much of a difference in size, but the overall gestalt on the bike was not aesthetically pleasing. You will have more tire choices, however, if you go 700c.
That's what I got got when I measured the 1-1/4" Paselas.
Michelin World Tours in the same size also measure about 32mm, making these two tires the fattest 27" tires available.
27" tires labeled 1-3/8" are not even this wide! This includes the Kenda and Cheng gumwalls, as well as the knobbied 1-3/8" cross tires such as Kenda Kross Cyclo or Club Roost Cross-Terra.
Note that the Michelin World tour tires are rather heavy, but with lots of rubber protecting the sidewalls, so can handle trail riding at lower pressures.
Years ago I was using Michelin's lightweight 1-3/8" version of the World Tour for my cyclocross racing, at pressures around 50psi.
The lightweight, folding version had Kevlar beads and was called HiLite-Tour. It had very light-colored skinside sidewalls.
Though sold as both 1-3/8" and 700x35, these were no wider than the current 1-1/4" World Tour or Pasela tires.