Could someone hazard a guess on this rim? I'm thinking it's a clincher but need some help ruling out the tubular possibilities. It's a 75-77 Colnago Super, been barn stored since last race in '78 or so. Sorry, it's the only pic I have for now.

Here is another angle....

Sure looks like a sew-up to me.

Agreed. Is that an auction tag? Nice bike.

In the second photo that back wheel is visible, has a rather shallow look for a clincher.

Clincher tires don't get that flat when deflated, so I'm voting for tubular.

+1 No doubt about it.

Thanx, guys. Just wasnt sure since I didnt see any glue marks. Thought this was a frameset and it turned out to be an intact classic. We'll see what happens.

What is the availability of 27" tubular/sew-ups?

I thought sew ups only came in 700c. Tufo, a brand cited here, start at $60 a pair.

wiggle.com | Tufo S33 PRO Tubular Tire | Road Race Tubular Tires

There is no such thing.

700c only. But sometimes referred as 28".

Tire Sizing Systems

They absolutely don't exist. Never did. Some have been labeled 27" anyway.

Ok, cool. As is obvious, I have never had or even wanted to have sew-ups.....but I would make this a major consideration!

Should you score the bike, you could always swap out the wheel set for a set of 700 clinchers.

Where is this bike located ?

Heh heh …

No, of course you don't have to answer that question.
hope you get it.

What would it matter? Looks all original and you are deciding to buy based on the rims???
I would rather have the sewup rims. They ride better.

You should at least try tubulars. You might like them.

Ditto.

On a bike like that it is NO consideration. If it's within your means buy it regardless.

In tubular tire lingo 700c, 28" and 27" are all the same!!!

I like them, but not enough to change all of my clinchers to tubulars.

Absolutely agree!

A quick way to tell for sure is to use your thumbs to try to peel the tire away from the rim.

+1 "Most" modern sewups are 700c but in certain European countries they were occasionally marked 27" or even 28".

More recently 650 and 26" tubulars were introduced for smaller sized frames and specialty racing bikes.

There were also 20" and 24" tubulars used on kid's racer bikes.


A Continental cyclocross tubular from the late 70's marked 27 x 1 1/8 - these tires were 700c x 28mm. This one is about 38 years old, still hold air and is probably rideable!



Sewups rarely had or have sizes marked on them. In general, they range from 700c x 18mm to 700c x 32 or even a few larger ones for CX (cyclocross).

You had to look up the specs in catalogs to find the published sizes.

My all time favorite sewups were Clement Red Label cotton Paris-Roubaix tires. They had a 28mm cross section. Next were Clement Del Mundo setas (silks). Their cross section was 26mm. The Paris-Roubaix setas were 25mm.

Most popular road sewups were 22mm to 24mm. CX tires ranged from 25mm to 32mm.

Sewups stretch over time plus manufacturing variances probably influenced tire makers reluctance to use dimensional markings on the casings.


WAYY back in the day, many bikes used tires with the tubes sewn into the casing. I remember a few bikes form the 1920's to the 1940's that our shop owner had in his collection. The tires were 28" and maybe 30" with a 2" to 2 1/2" cross section. they were glued on just like modern sewups.

Check out some of the boa constrictors that the racers used back in the first 40+ years of the last century.


verktyg

Chas.

My Colnago Super, which is a little older than that one originally came with 700c sewups. I don't think Colnago ever used 27" wheels.

As others have mentioned, try the sewups/tubulars. There have been advancements over time, especially if you choose to use a sealant in them.

It isn't too big of a deal to rebuild a wheel with clincher rims, or perhaps you would choose to keep the tubular wheels for spares/show, and get a new set of everyday wheels.

If I were to acquire such a classic I wouldnt change over to clinchers. The novelty of the tire and the racing heritage seems fitting to keep it that way and since it wouldnt be a daily rider.

The way description reads, 'last raced in '78' and then stored in a barn, might have some valuable and sought after vintage tubular tires. Chances are likely trashed but if not, some vintage high-end tubulars are worth more than the wheels. Take a peak on fleabay listings and compare with some of the early stuff.

If the carcass is good and has potential, the tubes can be replaced. Could even update to removable valve core type.