Recommendation - steel vintage frame with sport geometry that can take 32mm tires
08-16-22, 02:50 PM
#27
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Get yourself a mid-1960s Cinelli. I have two and am running 32s on both with room to spare. I love 'em (both the Cinellis and the 32s). Could be tad spendy, though.
Many "racing" frames from the 60s or perhaps early 70s will do what you want very nicely. They were still evolving from when roads sucked, wheelbases were longer and frame angles a tad slacker, but they were meant to be raced. After that, race frames got shorter and steeper and roads got smoother and, at least in the USA, the criterium was king. Clearances got tighter and tires got narrower. 32s definitely need not apply.
Many "racing" frames from the 60s or perhaps early 70s will do what you want very nicely. They were still evolving from when roads sucked, wheelbases were longer and frame angles a tad slacker, but they were meant to be raced. After that, race frames got shorter and steeper and roads got smoother and, at least in the USA, the criterium was king. Clearances got tighter and tires got narrower. 32s definitely need not apply.
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08-16-22, 02:57 PM
#28
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I think checking for what kind of brakes the frames were built for is your best option. Campagnolo brakes had a clearance of 47 to 57mm when they came out in 68 or so (going by memory so don't quote me). About 10 years later they came out with a short reach brake version around 40 to 50mm. The Asian brakes were 39/49. So of course short reach brakes can't handle as wide a tire as regular reach brakes can do. So look for racing bikes designed for original Campy side pull brakes with a reach of 47 to 57mm and you should be golden.
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08-16-22, 02:58 PM
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I do not do much gravel, but my little experience convinced me that 32mm tires just are not wide enough, at least, for me. Even just going to 35mm tires make a difference, and IMO, are ok on easy gravel. For any more than a short amount of time on hard riding gravel, definitely in the minimum 40mm and wider area.
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08-16-22, 03:10 PM
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I have considered learning to build wheels and do it myself, but when I start adding up all the tools needed, it doesn't take a long time before it doesn't really make a lot of sense financially. I think if I did that, it'd be because I want to learn (which I kind of do). As for brakes, my Sirrus' brake bridge is sooooo close to the wheel, I would probably be able to get away with some normal long reach calipers without issue. I may very well change my mind on the 650B conversion, since the vintage market where I live (Logan Utah) isn't particularly great.
If I can (barely) fit a 700x25 tire now, what would be your guess as to what size 650B tire I could fit in its place? The math suggests I could go as large as 45mm if the frame allowed the width, but I don't know if my math is right.
If I can (barely) fit a 700x25 tire now, what would be your guess as to what size 650B tire I could fit in its place? The math suggests I could go as large as 45mm if the frame allowed the width, but I don't know if my math is right.
Last edited by ehcoplex; 08-16-22 at 06:31 PM.
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08-16-22, 05:42 PM
#31
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My 1980 Peugeot PKN-10 fits that description well. My son currently has 700Cx35mm tires (700Cx35 callout, more like 700Cx32 in practice) on it. (I can't even do full size 700Cx28s on my similar-vintage Bianchi. 
) Picture is from about 3 years ago, when he could still cram both of my grandsons into the trailer. They are now 7 and 5 years old and don't fold up as compactly.
My old PKN-10, now my son's kiddie-puller, although the boys are getting big for the trailer now.
) Picture is from about 3 years ago, when he could still cram both of my grandsons into the trailer. They are now 7 and 5 years old and don't fold up as compactly.My old PKN-10, now my son's kiddie-puller, although the boys are getting big for the trailer now.
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08-17-22, 11:07 AM
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08-17-22, 12:54 PM
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32c is generally pretty easy for most vintage bikes assuming they were not built around short reach brakes (39 to 49 mm).
https://waterfordbikes.com/w/tech-co...brake-dancing/
Of the various sports touring bikes I've built, my two favorites are likely my 70s Fuji Finest and '79 Trek 510; I am running 32c tires on the Fuji (but it could easily take 35c) and 35c tires on the Trek.
If you decide you need a wide tire for gravel riding, you should take a look at the drop bar vintage MTB page for some ideas:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...nversions.html
You might want one of each, a classic sports touring bike and a vintage MTB, making this a N + 2 thread
https://waterfordbikes.com/w/tech-co...brake-dancing/
Of the various sports touring bikes I've built, my two favorites are likely my 70s Fuji Finest and '79 Trek 510; I am running 32c tires on the Fuji (but it could easily take 35c) and 35c tires on the Trek.
If you decide you need a wide tire for gravel riding, you should take a look at the drop bar vintage MTB page for some ideas:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...nversions.html
You might want one of each, a classic sports touring bike and a vintage MTB, making this a N + 2 thread
Last edited by bikemig; 08-17-22 at 12:57 PM.
08-17-22, 03:05 PM
#34
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I do not do much gravel, but my little experience convinced me that 32mm tires just are not wide enough, at least, for me. Even just going to 35mm tires make a difference, and IMO, are ok on easy gravel. For any more than a short amount of time on hard riding gravel, definitely in the minimum 40mm and wider area.
08-17-22, 03:49 PM
#35
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I think checking for what kind of brakes the frames were built for is your best option. Campagnolo brakes had a clearance of 47 to 57mm when they came out in 68 or so (going by memory so don't quote me). About 10 years later they came out with a short reach brake version around 40 to 50mm. The Asian brakes were 39/49. So of course short reach brakes can't handle as wide a tire as regular reach brakes can do. So look for racing bikes designed for original Campy side pull brakes with a reach of 47 to 57mm and you should be golden.
My '71 Gitane Supercorsa came with sewups and Mafacs (which I swapped for Campy).
Gobs of clearance on mine. I could run 35s with fenders to boot.
08-17-22, 04:06 PM
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edit: Some other possible options, but you'll have to do some of your own online research to double check that they will actually take 32mm tires:
1980's Specialized Sequoia 58cm Vintage Lugged Steel Frameset -... (craigslist.org)
08-17-22, 04:07 PM
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Holdsworth Special is mine.
but yano, lots of bikes fit the description from 70's -early 80's.
Especially those with centerpull Universal brakes.
but yano, lots of bikes fit the description from 70's -early 80's.
Especially those with centerpull Universal brakes.
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08-19-22, 12:22 PM
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For halfway between race and tour I'll take a Trek everytime. I've enjoyed every Trek in the "sports" catagory that I've owned. I would look for anything from 500 up, TX500/700 510 610 710 would be solid.
You would probably be looking at swapping out a 27" wheelset for a 700 but I haven't had an issue doing that.
I Try sticking to '84 and earlier, in '85 the chainstays get shorter. For me, no thanks. But if you want something that leans a little to the racier side of sport, that might be just what you're looking for. 👍
You would probably be looking at swapping out a 27" wheelset for a 700 but I haven't had an issue doing that.
I Try sticking to '84 and earlier, in '85 the chainstays get shorter. For me, no thanks. But if you want something that leans a little to the racier side of sport, that might be just what you're looking for. 👍
