Harden Hubs & Conloy Rims

[davercc]

Hi, I've got a pair of wheels with Harden 'Bacon Slicer' hubs and Conloy (ASP?) rims. The rear is a 27" and has been rebuilt with stainless DB spokes. The front though, had very rusty spokes so I dismantled the wheel to give hub and rim a good polish before getting it rebuilt.

I was undecided whether to stick with the Conloy rim on the rebuild or go with something more modern - but then I noticed that the front is a 24"!

I can't find much any information about running a setup like this, was this common practice ? Sounds a bit like the 80's fashion for small front wheels!
More's the point, will I be able to find tyres to fit this size rim?

Btw Rear 40h, front 32.

 

[desmondo]

Not 80s, I believe they may have come off a 50s stayer.
Something like this>

 

[desmondo]

Or this>

 

[Midlife]

Blimey........that's even before my time which was the 70's LOL

Any pics ??

Shaun

 

[Old Ned]

I reckon you could be right there Des. I'll admit I was a bit perplexed by the 24" size but you're explanation makes sense. It's the only reason I can see for a sprint rim of that size from that era - early/mid 50's.

Here are a couple of scans of these items taken from my 'Complete Cyclist' book published 1952.

My first pair of sprints in 1962 were Harden and Conloy. I used great heavy Michelin Training Tubs (all 16oz of them and very similar to the 'Michelin 25' wired -on tyre) and even with them the rim was so deep that the base tape only just fitted into the curve of the rim. With modern tubulars I reckon there could be a problem. Mind you, that could depend on the model of rim. The one shown in the drawing look shallower than ones I had - but it was 50 years ago :shock:

 

[davercc]

Duh! Now I feel like a complete numpty - I was simply measuring the o/s diameter of the rim. The 27" refers to o/s diameter of tyre of course.

So what I have is I believe a 27" rear and a 26" front. Not so unusual after all eh?

I'll get me coat...

 

[Old Ned]

Well, a 26" wheel is not so unusual for that era - but were they used as a pair?

The 'Bacon Slicer' hubs are slightly rarer than the drilled ones and therefore more sought after. I take it that you've seen this -

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/harden.html

 

[davercc]

Yes Ned, I'm a regular visitor to that site - it's a mine of information and you can get seriously hooked on researching. I have to keep reminding myself to still go out and ride a bike now and then.

I have a feeling the wheels were a pair, but can only wonder why they don't match. The rims and hubs look about the same age and condition.

Anyway, thanks for the help again.