mild curiosity, 1930's era racing sulky tires 28"
#1
mild curiosity, 1930's era racing sulky tires 28"
Was up in the barn loft yesterday and found some forgotten racing sulky wheels and tires. The radial lacing is interesting but more is the tire size. Curious if they used the same for bikes back then.
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DSC_0791 by carrera247, on Flickr[/IMG]
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DSC_0790 by carrera247, on Flickr[/IMG]
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DSC_0788 by carrera247, on Flickr[/IMG]
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DSC_0787 by carrera247, on Flickr[/IMG]
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DSC_0786 by carrera247, on Flickr[/IMG]
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#2
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DSC_0785 by carrera247, on Flickr[/IMG]
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DSC_0784 by carrera247, on Flickr[/IMG]
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DSC_0782 by carrera247, on Flickr[/IMG]
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DSC_0781 by carrera247, on Flickr[/IMG]
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#3
That is probably 700B, or 28X1 1/2
Tire Sizing Systems
Edit:
What is up with the capped axle? Are you sure it was off a bike and not a cart of some sort?
Tire Sizing Systems
Edit:
What is up with the capped axle? Are you sure it was off a bike and not a cart of some sort?
#5
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Sulky, eh? I had to google that.
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#6
Ah! I thought it was a typo and you meant 'silky', which I assumed was an archaic term for silk casing racing tires
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#7
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I picked up a couple of Sulky hubs from Toronto shops where they serviced horse racing machines. The gone-and-developed Greenwood racetrack was a popular east-end destination since 1874. My impression is the wheels were closer to 26". I have lots of 12 gauge spokes if you need a spare.
Here's a CCM shell, the other is a complete Union.
Here's a CCM shell, the other is a complete Union.
#8
^ neato
I only did a quick measurement on them (see tape measure pics above). No time to take on further projects but was curious if these smaller wheels might be similar to what was used on bicycles in the 1930's.
I only did a quick measurement on them (see tape measure pics above). No time to take on further projects but was curious if these smaller wheels might be similar to what was used on bicycles in the 1930's.
#9
The rims are actually larger in diameter than modern 700c, and your picture seems to indicate they are larger than the obsolete 27" size. As per the link I posted, there was a size called 700B that used to be used on bikes that is similar in size.
#10
Senior Member
A tape measure laid across isn't exactly a precision measurement device. Even so, let's say that they are 25.0" from edge to edge. That is 635 mm. The BSD or Bead Seat Diameter is where the bead sits below the edge, so it will be less than this. Typically about a quarter inch. Subtract that from the diameter (x2 for both sides) and you get 622.3 mm. Therefore this would appear to be 622/700c.
#11
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Were talking early Pneumatics here, a 28" singletube tire mounted to a 25" wood or clad rim. Pretty simple stuff.
The rim measurement and profile looks similar to the wood or steelclad 28" rims or yore. All the Singletubes I've found on bicycle rims from the teen's and 20's seem to have a chain pattern and are specifically bicycle, not to say the tire wasn't or could not be fitted. I've never seen it.
Logically, Bicycle tires were most likely less expensive as I'm reasonably confident there are more bicycles than carts in the word.
Which begs the question, were 28" Singletube bicycle tires ever used on Sulkies?
The rim measurement and profile looks similar to the wood or steelclad 28" rims or yore. All the Singletubes I've found on bicycle rims from the teen's and 20's seem to have a chain pattern and are specifically bicycle, not to say the tire wasn't or could not be fitted. I've never seen it.
Logically, Bicycle tires were most likely less expensive as I'm reasonably confident there are more bicycles than carts in the word.
Which begs the question, were 28" Singletube bicycle tires ever used on Sulkies?
Last edited by Velognome; 07-20-16 at 09:48 AM.
#12
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Yup, standard wheels are 28" and juniors are 24". Found it somewhere on web.
#13
Senior Member
What's the gauge on the spokes? They look huge.
While perhaps these rims were used on a bike, there is no way they were ever used on a racing bike. Too heavy. Prior to 35, wood was the choice of rim, post 35, aluminum.
I have seen prewar pics of tour bikes with radial spoking so nothing new there.
While perhaps these rims were used on a bike, there is no way they were ever used on a racing bike. Too heavy. Prior to 35, wood was the choice of rim, post 35, aluminum.
I have seen prewar pics of tour bikes with radial spoking so nothing new there.
#14
Senior Member
I picked up a couple of Sulky hubs from Toronto shops where they serviced horse racing machines. The gone-and-developed Greenwood racetrack was a popular east-end destination since 1874. My impression is the wheels were closer to 26". I have lots of 12 gauge spokes if you need a spare.
#15
Senior Member
Were talking early Pneumatics here, a 28" singletube tire mounted to a 25" wood or clad rim. Pretty simple stuff.
The rim measurement and profile looks similar to the wood or steelclad 28" rims or yore. All the Singletubes I've found on bicycle rims from the teen's and 20's seem to have a chain pattern and are specifically bicycle, not to say the tire wasn't or could not be fitted. I've never seen it.
Logically, Bicycle tires were most likely less expensive as I'm reasonably confident there are more bicycles than carts in the word.
Which begs the question, were 28" Singletube bicycle tires ever used on Sulkies?
The rim measurement and profile looks similar to the wood or steelclad 28" rims or yore. All the Singletubes I've found on bicycle rims from the teen's and 20's seem to have a chain pattern and are specifically bicycle, not to say the tire wasn't or could not be fitted. I've never seen it.
Logically, Bicycle tires were most likely less expensive as I'm reasonably confident there are more bicycles than carts in the word.
Which begs the question, were 28" Singletube bicycle tires ever used on Sulkies?
Some single tube sulky tyres also had threaded metal studs, so that they could bolted to the rim to prevent creep and roll-off, which would be more of a concern on a wheel which you can't lean into a corner.
So, while you could use bicycle tyres on a sulky, there would be some disadvantages; less speed on the straights and a higher probability of creep and roll-off with single tube versions.
FYI, I've also seen wired-on sulky tyres from this period.
#16
Senior Member
What's the gauge on the spokes? They look huge.
While perhaps these rims were used on a bike, there is no way they were ever used on a racing bike. Too heavy. Prior to 35, wood was the choice of rim, post 35, aluminum.
I have seen prewar pics of tour bikes with radial spoking so nothing new there.
While perhaps these rims were used on a bike, there is no way they were ever used on a racing bike. Too heavy. Prior to 35, wood was the choice of rim, post 35, aluminum.
I have seen prewar pics of tour bikes with radial spoking so nothing new there.
The choice of wooden versus steel rims and the crossover was highly market dependent. In Canada, CCM was the dominant company and the switch to steel occurred in 1927, yet prior to that they routinely provided steel rims to other markets such as Australia. That may have largely been a part of the British Empire connection, as the British seemed to favour Westwood steel rims and Raleigh was marketed as the 'All Steel Bicycle".
Also interesting to note that butted spokes were available as far bask as the 1920s.