Tyre recommendation for fifties bike

[Stodgy]

Hi,
I can't seem to find anything specific. Just wondered if anyone had and favourite tyres for their old classic. I'm afraid my wheels are 700c but I would like to put some amber walls on.

It will be ridden on bumpy roads and possibly in the wet (ie. ridden in England) so would rather not have some plastic ditch-finders. 28c is probably about right too.

Anyone have any experience with what I'm looking for?

Thanks,
Sam

 

[viscount]

Hi Sam.
Would be useful to know what type of bike you are inquiring about.
'Old classic' can be almost anything/cover a multitude of sins: )
Roadster or road bike?

With 700 rims you got a massive choice of tyres.
(Might not fit your tractor though; )

From the safety angle if you got hooked rims you can use the modern tyres at their appropriate pressures.
If you got older, non-hooked rims you need to be very careful.

Show us the bike then.
We all start somewhere remember; )

 

[Dead Rats]

IRC Road Tour are amberwall and 28c, if you can find them NOS as I did (from my LBS, otherwise I'd post up a link). Michelin Dynamic likewise on size and colour, but smoother tread.

 

[Stodgy]

Re:

Hi,
Thanks for reply. It's a 1950s (I think) claud butler frame. Running as fixed with modern mavic 700c rims, so hooked I guess. It was my commuter for a couple of years but I'm putting some more period correct bits on it (apart from the wheels) as it deserves it.
Cheers,
Sam

 

[viscount]

If you got a 50s CB the Serial Number will confirm manufacture dates. (Up to 1955 at least)

Re the tyres for 700s:
You got massive/maximum choice for replacements.
Black, Amberwall, Whitewall, all white/cream.... loads of colours even, in the smaller sizes.

My Dave Marsh currently has white & cream Panaracer Pasela tyres.
I love the white/cream effects on this one....

This pair is around £50, if you can find them.
But, lots & lots of choice if you have different needs.

Choose what's best for yourself.
But take your time doing it: )

It should be a pleasure just doing it.

You will get much more interest in the topic if you show some pics of the actual bike.
Try it; )

Good luck anyway.
John.

 

[Stodgy]

Re:

Bike's in a state of being stripped and refurbed at present. Will try to get some photos when it stops raining.

Not sure why I think it's a fifties CB. I'm pretty sure it's been re sprayed at some point. From what I can make out the s/n is 624181. I guess this would suggest 1962?

Might look at those paselas.

Thanks,
Sam

 

[viscount]

After 1955 CB changed hands & the SN system changed.
Yours does not fit the formula for pre-1955. So I assume it to be later. (When the numbers seem to be sequential...)

Pre 1949ish the SN was indicating the first number = year of manufacture. (IE 9 meant 1939, then month ((01-12)) & then the sequential number made that year.)
From then until 1955ish the first two numbers indicate year, the second two numbers were the month & last two/three numbers the number made.
Might sound complicated, but it's easier to see them first!!
If you see it you'll know, in other words.
I think that if you read your numbers correctly, it is post 1955. (SN would be repeated on the fork steerer, so that's a good indication of a match of forks & frame & the actual age of a Claud Butler pre 1956)

Nothing wrong with post 1955 Clauds though: )
Best advice is: Enjoy it.
Put some good quality tyres on it, so they'll last.
If you choose white/cream like me, they are excellent, but not the cheapest.....
Depends what you want: )

I'm looking for a pic of my post 1955 CBs & came up with this one.

Lovely, big, lightweight frame, poor decals, but a super frame. Made in the 1990s I believe.
CB was owned by Falcon at this point, I think.
Doesn't matter, it very nice: )

Be good to see yours when available; )
John.

 

[Stodgy]

Re:

Nice bikes! Here's mine in current state. Original brakes and levers going in with cloth bar tape going on.

Wheels are miche track hubs on open sport rims. Too modern? Any recommendations for 700c wheels for screw on freewheel?

 

[viscount]

I don't think you will go wrong with Conti GPs.
Good quality. I've been very happy with them before on various bikes.

You got a very nice machine there & I like the British Racing Green also: )
If you want to keep up the quality I'd say go for Regina blocks. Plenty available & not expensive in the long run. (They may seem to be expensive at first sight)
5, 6, 7 speeds available on ebay always. You just need to know what you want. Close ratio or with a bigger spread, depends on your intended usage.

I don't worry too much about originality, what matters for me is reliability & efficiency.
Modern brakes on modern rims = best braking. That's what I like. I don't want 1950/60s braking on any machine I own: )
Similarly with the gears. I like indexed gears for clean, easy shifting. Some people don't like this on vintage machines, but it's you that's riding it & paying for it!

Good luck with it anyway. It's a very nice bike.
Do take some pics of it as you progress, I'm sure it will be of interest to others.
Including me: )

John.

 

[danson67]

Re:

I have a set of Challenge Paris-Roubaix open tubs on my audax bike, beautiful grippy and supple tub ride, fat 28mm section. only 260g:

Not quite so rare...Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX2 (don't you just love those Vittoria tyre names!) in a 25mm @ 320g but more realistically around 27mm:

Both about £40 per tyre, though :shock:

All the best,