27 inch Road Bike tire buying guide

Last Updated on July 2, 2023 by FAB Jim The Cyclist

If you have a vintage road bike you might have 27” wheels, these were popular before the standard became 700c.  They left the market for new bikes sometime in the 80s with more expensive bikes changing to 700c the soonest. 

While they look very similar, 700c tires are slightly smaller than 27″ so tires are not interchangeable. 700c tire bead-seat diameter is 622mm and 27″ is 630mm. Please note that some vintage race bikes also used tubular tires, those have special rims. This article is for clincher tires.

If you need 27” tires the options are a bit limited, you will mostly find 27 1 ¼”.  Here are all the options I have been able to find.

Bontrager

T1 Road tire

• Sizes: 27 x 1 1/8″ and 27 x 1 1/4″
• Sidewall: black
• Weight: 390 grams (1 1/8″) and 440 grams (1 1/4″)
• TPI: 30
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $24.99

Continental

Gatorskin

• Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″
• Sidewall: black
• Weight: 430 grams
• TPI: 3/180
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $45.00

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Gatorskin Hardshell

• Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″
• Sidewall: black
• Weight: 455 grams
• TPI: 3/180
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $50.00

Super Sport Plus

• Sizes: 27 x 1 1/8″ and 27 x 1 1/4″
• Sidewall: black
• Weight: 590 grams ( 1 1/8″) 635 grams (1 1/4)
• TPI: 3/84
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $29.99

Ultra Sport III

• Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″
• Sidewall: black
• Weight: 415 grams
• TPI: 3/180
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $24.99

Evo

Dash

• Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″
• Sidewall: black and tanwall
• Weight: unknown
• TPI: unknown
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $17.99

Kenda

Kenda has several affordable options you will find for sale even though none of them are on their website. 

K34

• Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″
• Sidewall: black, white, and gumwall
• Weight: 566 grams
• TPI: unknown
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $17.99

K35

• Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″
• Sidewall: black, reflective, and gumwall
• Weight: 500 grams
• TPI: unknown
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $19.99

K36

• Sizes: 27 x 1 1/8″
• Sidewall: black, skinwall, and gumwall
• Weight: 466 grams
• TPI: unknown
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $19.99

K40

• Sizes: 27 x 1 3/8″
• Sidewall: gumwall
• Weight: unknown
• TPI: unknown
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $21.99

Michelin

Protek

• Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″
• Sidewall: black/reflective
• Weight: unknown
• TPI: unknown
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $34.99

Panaracer

Pasela

• Sizes: 27 x 1″, 27 x 1 1/8″, and 27 x 1 1/4″
• Sidewall: black and amber sidewall
• Weight: 290 grams (1″), 320 grams (1 1/8″), and 390 grams (1 1/4″)
• TPI: unknown
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $34.99

Pasela Protite

• Sizes: 27 x 1″, 27 x 1 1/8″, and 27 x 1 1/4″
• Sidewall: skinwall
• Weight: 250 grams (1″), 270 grams (1 1/8″), and 350 grams (1 1/4″)
• TPI: unknown
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $39.99

Schwinn

Road tire

• Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″
• Sidewall: gumwall
• Weight: unknown
• TPI: unknown
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $21.99

Specialized

All Condition Armadillo

• Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″
• Sidewall: black
• Weight: 460 grams
• TPI: 60
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $50

Roadsport

• Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″
• Sidewall: black
• Weight: 545 grams
• TPI: 60
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $30

Sunlite

Road raised center tire

• Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″
• Sidewall: gumwall and whitewall
• Weight: 493 grams
• TPI: unknown
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $18.99

Super HP

• Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″
• Sidewall: black
• Weight: 400 grams
• TPI: unknown
• Bead: wire
• Typical Price: $24.99

Links

Bontrager tires

Continental tires

Evo tires

Kenda tires

Michelin tires

Panaracer tires

Specialized tires

List of Vintage Bicycle Manufacturers and Brands