2themoon2

I have a 72 Schwinn Paramount. It is all original except for the wheels. I would like to replace them with a nice set of tubular rims that perform well enough to take on a weekly 40-mile group ride but also still look like they are original set that came on the bike. I weight 205 lbs so they must have some durability. Any suggestions?

bikemig 

Mavic GP4s laced to campy hubs are strong as heck if you don't mind the anodizing. Although, according to velobase, they date from the 70s, I suspect that they might be a bit later than your bike. Still they are a classic choice for a very strong rim at 400 grams. I'd use 36 spokes and get a wider tubular tire.

VeloBase.com - Component: Mavic GP 4 (Red Label)

ldmataya 

If it were my Paramount I would use a pair of Super Champion Competition in 36 spokes. Either that or Weinmann would look very original. The quality of the wheel will depend more on the quality of the build than the actual rim you choose.

Salamandrine 

I think they originally would have had Weinmann tubular rims. I am not a Paramount expert by a long shot. Someone may chime in.

These days you kind of have to take what you can find. Anything in the 350g+ range should be sufficient for you if you don't tend to thrash on things, but about 400g would be best. It is imperative that you go with 36 spoke wheels. Anyhow, off the top of my head: Mavic Championnat du Monde or Sport tubulars. Super champ competions, yeah. Maybe Fiamme Red labels. Try to get NOS if at all possible. I would never personally build with used rims, but it's getting harder and harder to avoid.

Agree on Campy hi flange hubs. Also, splurge on 14/15 double butted spokes. They will make longer lasting wheels.

juvela

-----

One tubular rim found on Paramounts at this time was the Weinmann wood filled.

-----

pastorbobnlnh 

I converted my '71 P13 back to tubulars about two years ago and have been quite pleased. I was lucky to find on ebay a set of Hi-E hubs with Fiamme rims. These are very lightweight but I've had no issues and I weigh about 240. I'm running 28mm Schwalbe One Tubulars, and except for the label, love the vintage look.

Kactus

My '71 P13 has the 36 spoke Weinmann wood lined rims that appear to be original.

Bianchigirll 

Have you used tubulars before? If not I'd looks for a used set of wheels on the cheap and some middle of the road tyres to see if you like the whole gluing and what not.

I have them on most of road bikes but I can't tell if I like the ride quality, how cool my bike looks with the tubular under the saddle or that they are kind of esoteric these days.

wrk101

+10 The used tubular market is weak. You should be able to score a nice vintage set for about what the hubs are worth.

jeirvine 

And if you use tape instead of glue, the learning curve is pretty quick and painless.

bikemig 

It's funny but I stopped using tubulars a long time ago but I'm sorely tempted to start using them again using tape. That does take a lot of the pain out of using tubulars other than the price of each flat!

qcpmsame 

Two sets of Campagnolo Record 36h, low flange hubs, with lacing of X3, using Mavic GP4 rims. No wheel issues at all on either set, and flats have not been a problem, only one flat in two years with the tubs. Running Continental Giros, 700X22, and Vittoria Rallys, 700X25, depending on the roads' conditions where I plan on riding. I am +/- 190 lbs currently.

I use glue for installing the tubs, but I highly recommend learning the tape method, if you aren't already set on a particular adhesive method.

Bill

Salamandrine 

FWIW, just noticed these posted in the sales section. Looks about right.

Campagnolo high flange Nuovo Record 120mm wheelset

steelbikeguy

I've got one bike equipped with tubulars, mostly for the nostalgia of it. As far as flats, I had been pretty lucky to wear them out before they flatted, until the last tire. I managed to hit a rock on the shoulder and pinch-flatted a brand new tire! On the plus side, it was nostalgic to brush up on my sew-up repair skills.
Not really that hard, but there's a lot to be said for the speed of fixing a flat wired-on tire.


Steve in Peoria

SteelCharlie

I have a set of Campy low flange 36h, DT stainless spokes, Nisi rims and maybe usable tires. I have no use for them. Let me know if you do.

Charlie

fietsbob

To My Eye, Design wise the newer extruded rims , have that little valley down the center,
so the sewn seam bump goes in there and the rest of the base tape makes fuller contact..


A few years ago the cycling news kids, were photographing a used wheel on a Pro Bike at the southern starting end of Paris Roubaix
hard anodized Ambrosio rim,

I suppose since no company sponsored them to demo their wheels on that race, the team mechanics use a set that had proven reliable before..




...

Lazyass

I would just get some polished Velocity Major Tom's and remove the decals. They're probably as strong as the strongest vintage rim and they're priced reasonable.

Road Fan

Among the strongest vintage tubular rims was the Mavic GP4. I have a set of wheels made with NOS/like new GP4 in 32 hole, with Sapim CXray spokes and 2006 Campagnolo Record hubs. I don't agree that 36 holes is mandatory with a top, relatively heavy rim like that (about 440 grams per rim; my wheelset is 1500 g with QRs installed, but without tires and cassette). I ride them on roads with 27 mm Challenge Parigi-Roubaix tubulars.

I think that particular rim design did not exist when your Schwinn was new, but for a replacement on a road riding/light touring tubie bike, there might not have been a better choice as a replacement part back in the early '80s. Any such riding would have been called "training,"and called for a heavier rim for day to day durabiity and perhaps even for a little more inertial resistance as you ride.

It's valid because it's something a typical owner of such a bike could have chosen for it as it was used and the stresses consumed the consumable parts.

Wileyone 

Until you try and take the Tape off.

d_dutchison

I wouldn't call the road-rash I got when I rolled my tire off of the back wheel in a corner painless. I stuck to glue after that.

Dean51 

I'll throw in another vote for glue. I really enjoy the whole process and it seems so right to use glue with vintage rims.

Dean

jeirvine 

Funny - I had my first opportunity to remove a taped wheel today when I got a nasty flat on my Coppi. I managed to get the tape off the rim with the flat-head screwdriver on my Swiss army knife. The tape stayed on the old tire, and there was enough tackiness on the rim to mount a spare tire and get home.