somebikeguy 

Hi all

About 7 years back a kind neighbor gave me his no longer used Bottecchia, which had been rattle-can resprayed. I had it powdercoated hammertone blue, cleaned it up and have ridden happily for many years. I have never owned a new bike until this year when I found riding my Cotic FlareMax 29er to be a revelation. I was particularly impressed by the tubeless tires and decided to make a tubeless conversion part of the work I'm doing to the Bottecchia. I knew I wanted it to look and feel 'period' so I sourced some very nice Brevet 700c rims from Pacenti, hubs from Velo orange. I'm now debating what width tires to run. I ride for fun not for competition and while my routes don't include gravel or offroad I am a believer in the wide tire revolution. I opened the brakes up, measured the clearances all around and can see no reason that 30-32mm tires will cause any issue. Besides the minuscule weight penalty (don't care, steel bike) I am struggling to see why I shouldn't go big. I understand the benefits of tubeless increase with tire size and I am all for the comfort. I'm looking for opinions and experience from you all. I think I am new enough here that I can't yet post pictures so perhaps I'll go on in text for a few more then add images.

cb400bill

Pic Assist - Picture by 502098 | 28564348 | (bikeforums.net)

somebikeguy 

Woah magic thank you! I thought I was blocked from posting that pic on the bikes/water thread... unclear what my status is vis a vis pics

somebikeguy 

hmm still getting "You are only allowed to post URLs to other sites and photos after you have made 10 posts or more." I suppose somehow posting images involves a URL somehow? I swear I've posted images in the past not sure what I'm going wrong

cb400bill

It's an anti spam system that was installed years ago. New forum members are limited to 5 posts per day until they get to 10 posts. No posting of links or pics (which are URL's) until after 10 posts.

When you tried to post your pics it put them in your Gallery folder. That is where I found them.

Bah Humbug

Purdy bike!

I wouldn't run tubeless on period-correct rims though. Would you be ok with a modern, tubeless-compatible rim that looks period-correct?

BTinNYC 

Nice rims!
Heck yes, go with 32mm tubeless. My 32mm Conti GP5000 measure 30mm on a rim w 19mm internal size.

mstateglfr 

There is 0 benefit in going narrower than 32mm for tubeless, if that fits.
There is actually a good bit of benefit in staying at 32mm and it's the fact that if you go too high on psi, road tubeless can blow off the rim. Wider tire = less psi.

mstateglfr 

the rims the OP has aren't from 60 years ago. They are modern tubeless rims that just have a depth and shape similar to older rims.

somebikeguy 

Checking to see if I'm able to post pics yet.... some images of the clearance I have.

somebikeguy 

Correct, I am using Pacenti Brevet Rims, 32h front and 36h rear (which is back ordered)
https://pacenticycledesign.com/colle...revet-rim-700c

Along with Velo Orange hubs
https://pacenticycledesign.com/colle...revet-rim-700c
https://pacenticycledesign.com/colle...revet-rim-700c

After some hand wringing and looking at the existing wheels I decided to lace the front 2-cross and ordered DP Swiss double butted spokes and 12mm brass nipples. Excited for my first time building a wheel.

Here is a photo of the 126mm hub spreading the 120mm frame (no problem) along with the rebuilt Nuovo Record Rear (thank you again VO for the jockey wheels)

somebikeguy 

Many years back I replaced the ball bearings on the old (no mfgr visible) steel threaded ISO headset. The chroming on the locknuts is meh and I would enjoy a replacement. Campy Record is available new: https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...t/rp-prod47049 but the stack height is a bit much - I am measuring 35mm and campy lists 40. Besides that I see mostly low-qual looking generic options. Does anyone have a tip for where I might look for an ISO threaded steel low-stack headset?

bblair

You might have a problem with getting wider tires past the brakes when fully inflated. Not problem at home, but if you're fixing a flat on the road, be sure you remount your wheel before using your last CO2 cartridge. I know this.

somebikeguy 

Re headset: I found a NOS Stronglite A9, ISO. If I am reading the specs correctly every single dimension on the headtube/fork is the same from Italian to ISO except the threads are cut 55deg (as opposed to standard 60deg I presume) and the ID of the crown race is off by .1mm. This leaves 3 options:

1. reducing the diameter of the fork
2. enlarging the ID of the Stronglite's race
3. re-using the existing race.

I do have a lathe and could likely attempt #2. I would need to test fit to determine if #3 works with the stronglite's bearings. Curious to hear from anyone who has attempted same.







Does anyone know if friction shifter bosses are universal or Country / Manufacturer specific? ie: can I replace the Campy friction shifters with (other) such as Dia Compe while reusing the clamp-on boss?

somebikeguy 

Freewheel arrived. If you are wondering "will a Nouvo Record handle 13-28t" the answer is: yes. However I did just learn of this very cool "Rally" style cage mod that will let you run up to 32t:
https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/som...=974#attr=2270

Camilo

Read up on the + and - of road tubeless. I think the jury's still out on whether it's worth it for smaller tires compared to mountain and gravel/cross type tires.

somebikeguy 

Yep did the reading, happy to be part of the hung jury.

If anyone has a tubeless valve they like, let me know. Preferably silver to stay with my period-appropriate look. After reading a number of threads I'm going to give Orange Seal Endurance a try. As a reminder I am going to be on 30mm Conti 5000's.

ntn007us

That is a super interesting powder coat color and finish! Very nice.

Just curious, would the finish allow for decal installation?

somebikeguy 

thanks! They call it a ‘vein’ or ‘river’ powder. I call it hammertone. Comes from mixing two powders with slightly different chemestry. It is veeery slightly three dimensional but decals would be no problem. It was a while ago and I cant recall if I had clear put on top as well.

masi61

I disagree with this. There is plenty of benefit from 25 or 28 mm tubeless tires

Road tubeless has been out for almost 20 years - why the jury is still out is more fear of the unknown and the slightly different learning curve.

For tubeless valves, you might check with Pacenti first to see which ones they recommend. Different rim extrusions in the well sometimes match up with a specific valve. I like the DT Swiss type that have a square rubber grommet on the inside. Tubeless Conti 5000's I would imagine would be great. I have used Hutchinson and Panaracer tubeless 25mm tires and both are great. Never had a flat yet. I use Effetto Mariposa sealant and like it. I use a pressure cannister to mount the tires the first time. How you tape the tubeless rims can be a bit of a learning curve and my experience has been that slow leaks have been from a below standard tape job. This is fixable though.

To me, classic and vintage bikes are a great match for tubeless tires. Why more classic and vintage folks aren't exploring this is maybe about resistance to change.

somebikeguy 

I bought tape from Pacenti but they only offer black valves and I held out for silver.

https://pacenticycledesign.com/produ...air-40mm-alloy

can you elaborate on the challenges of taping ?

For tubeless valves, you might check with Pacenti first to see which ones they recommend. Different rim extrusions in the well sometimes match up with a specific valve. I like the DT Swiss type that have a square rubber grommet on the inside. Tubeless Conti 5000's I would imagine would be great. I have used Hutchinson and Panaracer tubeless 25mm tires and both are great. Never had a flat yet. I use Effetto Mariposa sealant and like it. I use a pressure cannister to mount the tires the first time. How you tape the tubeless rims can be a bit of a learning curve and my experience has been that slow leaks have been from a below standard tape job. This is fixable though.

mstateglfr 

I don't disagree that there is benefit in 25mm and 28mm tubeless tires.
But if a frame fits 32mm tires, those in tubeless are proven to be less hassle and less prone to psi/rider weight issues.

masi61

Oh, gotcha ! By all means if you can fit 32 mm tubeless in there I agree this would be preferable to a smaller road tubeless tire. I guess I was just wanting to put out there that on my (1990's era) road bikes with limited tire clearance, I am loving the benefits of the 25mm tubeless tires I have tried so far. Much less punishing ride, better cornering not to mention the normal #1 claimed benefit of flat prevention.

genejockey 

Interesting!

somebikeguy 

Laced up the front two cross. My first time. Spokes are all very loose, zero tension.