Hi,

I bought a new set of 27 inch Vittoria Zaffiro tires for my fixer-upper new Benotto, and was sad to find out that the tires are too thick for the bike's frame. When fully inflated, the tires rub against the frame and break calipers.

Can anyone recommend an inexpensive skinny (aka low profile) tire for a 27 x 1.25 wheel? Does this tire issue suggest that this bike originally came with 700c wheels? (The brakes do adjust to comfortably fit a 700c wheel from another bike.) I believe the bike is a 1981 Benotto Modelo 1000.

If you're curious, here's some detail on the bike: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t=help+benotto

Thanks in advance for any ideas/suggestions/advice.

I think the frame you have is not designed for 27 inch, but 700c wheels, which is what you suspected. The slightly smaller diameter will give you an extra 1/2 cm or so width, which is why the brake pads are high up, and why the rear tire is nearly touching the seat tube. The Vitt. Zaffiros come in 27 x 1 1/8 inch for just $13 each from Nashbar. And if they don't fit, that's really means you have a very tight frame. But from your pics, it looks like even the original rims are a bit wide. Probably more than 25mm width. If you're looking for a low-cost solution, some Alex RP15F wheels with 700x28c tires might be the ticket.

Looking at the photos of the bike, I have to say, yep, that bike was made for 700c wheels. But if you can get tires that fit and the brake pads properly hit the rim sidewalls, then by all means continue to use your 27" wheels.

The skinniest 27" tire I'm aware of is the Continental Ultra Sport in 27x1-1/8. If a local shop stocks Continental but doesn't have this size (27" is considered obsolete), they should be able to order them for you.

By the way, that's really sweet ride. You know how to pick 'em.

If a 27 x 1 1/8 tire won't fit I also suspect the bike was made for 700c wheels, and could've come stock with tubulars judging by the age and quality.

27 x 1" tires (25mm wide) are rare but I thought someone still makes them.