I use Conti Ultra Sport 27X1 1/4's on a few of my bikes. They're fantastic tyres for the price ($13.50 CDN) and I think are rated to 90 or 95 PSI. I don't know much about the whole hooked vs. smooth bead deal , though I do know the rims I use them on are all Arayas, and I've never had a problem. Interesting you mentioned the "w/o hp" thing though - I'm getting an old Miyata 1000 with those rims - hope they're okay - fingers crossed....