Width of Sew-Up Tires

[email hidden] (T. Field) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Where can I find a reference that describes the diameter or width of sew-ups?

Dear T.,

Possibly searching for "tubular" will yield more results.

A lengthy article at this address:

bsn.comtubulars.htmlOpen ↗

shows example widths (quite a few screens down) of 19mm, 22mm, and 25mm. I think that these are the
tire widths, not the rim widths. Elsewhere, most references seemed to be to two vague sizes, wide
and narrow.

Unfortunately, Sheldon Brown doesn't sell tubulars, so his awe-inspiring site doesn't go into the
detail seen on clincher wheel sizes.

If you do find a site loaded with tubular details, I imagine that Sheldon would be still pleased
to add them:

sheldonbrown.comindex.htmlOpen ↗

Good luck,

Carl Fogel

T. Field <[email hidden]> wrote:
: Where can I find a reference that describes the diameter or width of
sew-ups?

I've always understood singles (tubulars) to be sized the same as clinchers, ie, 700 x 23, at least
for the ones useful to me. Also understand that the width sizing isn't as absolute as you may
believe. There is a lot of leeway. Given that, a reasonable guide is to think of a '20' as a racing
or track only width; a '23' as general purpose training and even racing tyre; 25, 28 and beyond are
pretty much touring or comfort tyres.

On this point I may be way off, but I've always thought that the width measurement is the actual
width of the inflated casing. Measuring my three road bikes with 700 x 23 tyres, the two Michelin
shod ones measure 26mm wide, while the fixed wheel bike with singles measures 21mm wide - a perfect
demonstration of the inconsistency in sizing. If you are shooting for an exact width, it might be a
good idea to spend an hour or two in a friendly bike shop with a set of vernier calipers and a
track pump.

I'm sure others will want to argue the pros and cons of tyre widths but when it comes down to actual
on-road experience, the rough guide above will be more than enough.

Cheerz. Lynzz

(T. Field) said:

Where can I find a reference that describes the diameter or width of sew-ups?

I've found the manufacturers' numbers to be pretty close, back in the days when I used tubulars. The
sectional diameter of the tyres was certainly closer to the stated size than a lot of clinchers.

Most normal tubulars are 22mm, anything else is likely to be marketed for special use with the
sectional diameter stated, from 18mm track tyres to 28mm cyclocross.

Kinky Cowboy

*Your milage may vary Batteries not included May contain traces of nuts.

KinkyCowboy said:

I've found the manufacturers' numbers to be pretty close, back in the days when I used tubulars.
The sectional diameter of the tyres was certainly closer to the stated size than a lot of
clinchers.

Well, a tubular will have the same width no matter what rim it is on, but a clincher tire's width
will depend on the rim. So a part of the variation of clincher width claims is due to the rim.

Another reason for this is that when you compare tires, you tend to compare them with other tires of
the same stated width. If brand "A" 25mm tires really are 22mm, then they might seem to be lighter
than brand "B"'s 25mm tires that really measure 25mm.

Years ago, tubular tires did not specify width. You just got a particular model depending on the
use. Clement Paris-Roubaix and Campionato del Mondo were really fat, about 25-28mm (Paris-Roubaix
were the larger of the two). Clement Criterium were close to 20mm.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Deserves death! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve _`\(,_ | death. And some that die
deserve life. Can you give it to (_)/ (_) | them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in
judgement. -- J. R. R. Tolkien

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Where can I find a reference that describes the diameter or width of

sew-ups?

Quoted message said:

Dear T.,

Possibly searching for "tubular" will yield more results.

A lengthy article at this address:

bsn.comtubulars.htmlOpen ↗

shows example widths (quite a few screens down) of 19mm, 22mm, and 25mm. I think that these are
the tire widths, not the rim widths. Elsewhere, most references seemed to be to two vague sizes,
wide and narrow.

Unfortunately, Sheldon Brown doesn't sell tubulars, so his awe-inspiring site doesn't go into the
detail seen on clincher wheel sizes.

If you do find a site loaded with tubular details, I imagine that Sheldon would be still pleased
to add them:

sheldonbrown.comindex.htmlOpen ↗

Good luck,

Carl Fogel

I'd start with the manufacturers' websites. Tufo, Vittoria, Veloflex, etc.

Mike