Tyres for a 27" x 1 1/4 wheel

[Duck!]

There is one other question that I very nervously ask; where on earth does the "700" designation come from? What could it possibly refer to? Have those who created these naming conventions been imprisoned yet?

From the same means as imperial designations, just in metric form - overall diameter of rim and tyre, in this case 700mm. However, like the imperial versions, it's also subject to variation due to different tyre profiles.

[WyvernRH]

Look out... the marketing guys have a new idea!
Cell Bikes and Chain Reaction are now trying to sell MTBs with 650b wheels as 'The ideal size - between a 29er and a 26er'
One more rim/tyre size to drive bike shops crazy
Richard

[WyvernRH]

There is one other question that I very nervously ask; where on earth does the "700" designation come from? What could it possibly refer to? Have those who created these naming conventions been imprisoned yet?

From the same means as imperial designations, just in metric form - overall diameter of rim and tyre, in this case 700mm. However, like the imperial versions, it's also subject to variation due to different tyre profiles.

Ah, well, all 700mm to the outside originally but....the tricky bit here is 700a was the 'narrow' size (biggest rim), 700b was the middling size (slightly smaller rim) and 700c was the 'Fat' tyre (smallest rim) normally about the 38mm width size giving a rim diameter of 622mm. Now for some reason this rim size got seized on as the standard rim diameter for this designation and narrower tyres got fitted on the same diameter 622 rims so nowadays very few '700c' tyre/rim combos actually measure anywhere near 700mm overall tyre/rim diameter 'til you get up to city bike wheels.

Believe it or not, some Japanese manufacturer tried to resurrect the 700b rim/tyre size back in 80s/90's (Bridgestone? Fuji?... I forget) as a commuter size. This went down like the traditional lead balloon but MTB consumers seem more amenable to marketing hype these days (or maybe the hype is more effective? )
Cheers
Richard

[singlespeedscott]

Look out... the marketing guys have a new idea!
Cell Bikes and Chain Reaction are now trying to sell MTBs with 650b wheels as 'The ideal size - between a 29er and a 26er'

So new that its been around for 90 years. It use to be the standard European touring size.

Believe it or not, some Japanese manufacturer tried to resurrect the 700b rim/tyre size back in 80s/90's (Bridgestone? Fuji?... I forget) as a commuter size. This went down like the traditional lead balloon but MTB consumers seem more amenable to marketing hype these days

Your not thinking of the 700D size that GT tried to introduce in 1991-2?

[TTar]

There is one other question that I very nervously ask; where on earth does the "700" designation come from?

Thanks for the answers -- you can see why I asked "nervously".

I think I have a basic understanding of wheel sizes now, but the mental exertion has made me forget my name.

I wonder, might there be pros or very serious amateurs who race successfully on 27" wheels? Does any manufacturer make "modern" wheels in that size using the latest materials and design? Maybe it's time for 27" to be reinstalled as the preeminent wheel size?

Oh, before I forget, what's the story with 24" wheels?

[Blakeylonger]

Oh and 650B or "27 x 1-1/2 inch" is actually a 584mm rim.

26 x 1 1/2" actually.

This and this is all anyone ever needs w.r.t. tyre sizing.

And Panaracer Pasela (non tourguard) is the best value option in narrow & fat 27" tyres IMHO. But the Australian importer only brings in the 700C version.

[WyvernRH]

Your not thinking of the 700D size that GT tried to introduce in 1991-2?

You know, I had forgotten about that 700D experiment, but no this was earlier and definitely 700b, back in the late 70's early 80's (my brain hurts..) as I remember a friend who owned a bike shop complaining bitterly about 'yet another' tyre size to keep in stock. Didn't last and all the stock got sent back with the unsold bikes to the wholesaler (Fisher's possibly?).
Cheers
Richard

[Blakeylonger]

I have a 700D Tachyon, converted to 650B. The original rims will often fit 650A & 650B tyres.

Failed experiment, but it left some rad frames behind for use once really good 650B tyres hit the market.

[ldrcycles]

I wonder, might there be pros or very serious amateurs who race successfully on 27" wheels? Does any manufacturer make "modern" wheels in that size using the latest materials and design? Maybe it's time for 27" to be reinstalled as the preeminent wheel size?

No but there's no reason they couldn't, No, and Yes absolutely it is! .

Oh and 650B or "27 x 1-1/2 inch" is actually a 584mm rim.

26 x 1 1/2" actually.

Typo, my bad .

[kenwstr]

Continental Gatorskin are available in 27 by 1 1/4 though I don't know what pressure they will handle. I may try them when my current tires wear out.

Ken