Sourcing suitable rims - advise please.

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Hobbs1951
Posts: 480
Joined: 15 Apr 2014, 10:48am

Sourcing suitable rims - advise please.

Post by Hobbs1951 »

Hi,

I am trying to source suitable rims for my 1951 Higgins (Plus Parfait) it was built for sprints (27s will not go in), I wondered if anyone has suggestions for preferably 40h/32h or 36h/36h 700c rims (polished or anodised silver).

Many thanks.

Jon.
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interestedcp
Posts: 380
Joined: 5 Jan 2012, 3:34pm

Re: Sourcing suitable rims - advise please.

Post by interestedcp »

Hobbs1951 wrote:Hi,

I am trying to source suitable rims for my 1951 Higgins (Plus Parfait) it was built for sprints (27s will not go in), I wondered if anyone has suggestions for preferably 40h/32h or 36h/36h 700c rims (polished or anodised silver).


VO makes some classic box rims in high polish finish:
Image
http://www.freshtripe.co.uk/Freshtripe/ ... Tyres.html
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Regards
Brucey
Posts: 44517
Joined: 4 Jan 2012, 6:25pm

Re: Sourcing suitable rims - advise please.

Post by Brucey »

skinny 27" wheels are only 4mm greater radius (with the same tyre section) than sprints or 700C wheels. If you have a short brake drop with those wheels in, consider the possibility that the frame was actually built for 26 x 1-1/4" (597mm) wheels. These need less than 1/2" more brake drop than 622 wheels.

The rolling diameter of a 26 x 1-1/4" tyres is about the same as 20-622 tyres IIRC. The 26 x 1-1/4" wheel size was very popular amongst club riders in the early 1950's, probably the most common size fitted to English lightweights around that time.

BTW if you can find any some Mavic Module E or Module E2 rims in 622 with the right tyres will look a lot like tubs and these suit a classic machine quite well

cheers
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Brucey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
mattsccm
Posts: 5101
Joined: 28 Nov 2009, 9:44pm

Re: Sourcing suitable rims - advise please.

Post by mattsccm »

Planet x do some retro rims
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breakwellmz
Posts: 1982
Joined: 8 May 2012, 9:33pm

Re: Sourcing suitable rims - advise please.

Post by breakwellmz »

Hobbs1951 wrote:Hi,

I am trying to source suitable rims for my 1951 Higgins (Plus Parfait) it was built for sprints (27s will not go in), I wondered if anyone has suggestions for preferably 40h/32h or 36h/36h 700c rims (polished or anodised silver).

Many thanks.

Jon.


I`m surprised 27s wont go in.
My Old Sun(Which originally had 26x1 1/4" wheels fitted)now has 27" wheels with 27x1 1/4" tyres.It even has a`usable`brake drop of around 50mm.
These`make do`27s are cheap old jobs with un-anodised rims,that when polished up look like chrome plate.
Hobbs1951
Posts: 480
Joined: 15 Apr 2014, 10:48am

Re: Sourcing suitable rims - advise please.

Post by Hobbs1951 »

breakwellmz wrote:
Hobbs1951 wrote:Hi,

I am trying to source suitable rims for my 1951 Higgins (Plus Parfait) it was built for sprints (27s will not go in), I wondered if anyone has suggestions for preferably 40h/32h or 36h/36h 700c rims (polished or anodised silver).

Many thanks.

Jon.


I`m surprised 27s wont go in.


Me too.

When I first got the Higgins I half expected my very nice 27s (recently respoked early Campag hubs with Staral rims) to go in, but the tyre hits the chainstay bridge and the drop out is too close. A 27 will only go in with the tyre deflated, with minimal/no mudguard clearance - must have been built for sprints - yet the Plus Parfait was Higgins clubman's all-rounder - I guess the original buyer in 1951 wanted sprints.

When did 700c's become commonly available in the UK?

And thanks to all for the suggestions.

Jon.
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willcee
Posts: 1438
Joined: 14 Aug 2008, 11:30pm
Location: castleroe,co.derryUlster

Re: Sourcing suitable rims - advise please.

Post by willcee »

hi, i had a '49 Hetchins with the same problem.. as Brucey says 90% of early pre war and post war lt /wts were built for 26's and sprints 700 dependant on tyre section will clear frame stay bridges, will be the go to wheel for competition.. however keep a wary eye out for 27 x 7/8'', or 27x1'' these may do your frame, what clearance if any have you front and rear.. ?? these smaller section 27 tyres are out there and may allow you use of these cherished 27's. will
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tim-b
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Joined: 10 Oct 2009, 8:20am

Re: Sourcing suitable rims - advise please.

Post by tim-b »

Hi
When did 700c's become commonly available in the UK?

At a very rough guess, early to mid-1980s. 27" x 1 1/4 and sprints/tubs were common in the late 1970s

Regards
tim-b
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