Some tire help please
 

I have a 1986 Bianchi Sport SX that I have had since new. A few years ago I took off the tires and replaced them with 27 x 1 1/4 Kenda cruising tires. It was a mistake. The tires are too big and cumbersome and look foolish. I wanted to go back to the tires that it originally came with.

But I guess things have changed since the 80s. I bought 700 x 25c tires to replace the Kendas and they are too small. When I research tires for this bike I get all sorts of answers, 700x28c? etc.

So, does anyone know a current road tire that I could use?

Thanks so much.

Kevin

Wow, that was very helpful.. I have those Kendas on the left but some of the other tires look great.

Thanks!

Ummm. 27 inch rims and 700 mm rims are not the same size. Check out Sheldon Brown site for erd tire sizes.

Yes, found that out the hard way.

But I got a lot of good advice here.

Thanks.

Thanks.

I am a little confused. To you have a 27" wheel or a 700c wheel? Because a 27 x 1 1/4 won't fit on a 700c wheel, and vice versa.

I think I have a 700 wheel, not 700c. That's where it all got confusing. But that 700x25c tire wasn't going on.

If your current tires are 27 x 1 1/4 and you want thinner tires, your two options are 27 x 1 1/8, or 27 x 1. Any tire with 700 in the size will not fit.

A 700C wheel has a Bead Seat Diameter - where rim and tire overlap - of 622 mm. A 27xsomething” has a BSD of 630 mm. They don’t interchange. Sometimes it’s possible to force a 700C tire onto a 27xsomething” rim, but it just about always end in tears.
Tubes will interchange.
And to some degree it’s possible to use 700C tubulars on 27xsomething” clincher rims.
Possible, but rarely a worthwhile choice.

Thanks for the info.

27” wheels started to go away in the 1980’s but, thankfully, 27” tires and wheels are still available for those who need them.

I did not know that. That's how old I am. I'd like to thank everyone for getting the Bianchi back on the road looking 80s cool.

Great advice on a great site.

Gonna put in my shoulder pads, fire up some Wham on the Discman and hit the road.

6 feet away from the other riders, of course.

You listen to "Wham"? What about "Abba"? I like "Abba". What power source does your time machine use?

Actually I was more of a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan.

You're welcome. I hope you find what you need.

I just watched the history of that band yesterday. They were a hard working band.