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: blackWeight: 390 grams (1 1/8″) and 440 grams (1 1/4″)TPI: 30Bead: wireTypical Price: $24.99
Continental
Gatorskin
Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″Sidewall: blackWeight: 430 gramsTPI: 3/180Bead: wireTypical Price: $45.00
Gatorskin Hardshell
Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″Sidewall: blackWeight: 455 gramsTPI: 3/180Bead: wireTypical Price: $50.00
Super Sport Plus
Sizes: 27 x 1 1/8″ and 27 x 1 1/4″Sidewall: blackWeight: 590 grams ( 1 1/8″) 635 grams (1 1/4)TPI: 3/84Bead: wireTypical Price: $29.99
Ultra Sport III
Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″Sidewall: blackWeight: 415 gramsTPI: 3/180Bead: wireTypical Price: $24.99
Evo
Dash
Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″Sidewall: black and tanwallWeight: unknownTPI: unknownBead: wireTypical 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 gumwallWeight: 566 gramsTPI: unknownBead: wireTypical Price: $17.99
K35
Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″Sidewall: black, reflective, and gumwallWeight: 500 gramsTPI: unknownBead: wireTypical Price: $19.99
K36
Sizes: 27 x 1 1/8″Sidewall: black, skinwall, and gumwallWeight: 466 gramsTPI: unknownBead: wireTypical Price: $19.99
K40
Sizes: 27 x 1 3/8″Sidewall: gumwallWeight: unknownTPI: unknownBead: wireTypical Price: $21.99
Michelin
Protek
Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″Sidewall: black/reflectiveWeight: unknownTPI: unknownBead: wireTypical Price: $34.99
Panaracer
Pasela
Sizes: 27 x 1″, 27 x 1 1/8″, and 27 x 1 1/4″Sidewall: black and amber sidewallWeight: 290 grams (1″), 320 grams (1 1/8″), and 390 grams (1 1/4″)TPI: unknownBead: wireTypical Price: $34.99
Pasela Protite
Sizes: 27 x 1″, 27 x 1 1/8″, and 27 x 1 1/4″Sidewall: skinwallWeight: 250 grams (1″), 270 grams (1 1/8″), and 350 grams (1 1/4″)TPI: unknownBead: wireTypical Price: $39.99
Schwinn
Road tire
Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″Sidewall: gumwallWeight: unknownTPI: unknownBead: wire
Typical Price: $21.99Specialized
All Condition Armadillo
Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″Sidewall: blackWeight: 460 gramsTPI: 60Bead: wireTypical Price: $50
Roadsport
Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″Sidewall: blackWeight: 545 grams
TPI: 60Bead: wireTypical Price: $30Sunlite
Road raised center tire
Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″Sidewall: gumwall and whitewallWeight: 493 gramsTPI: unknownBead: wireTypical Price: $18.99
Super HP
Sizes: 27 x 1 1/4″Sidewall: blackWeight: 400 gramsTPI: unknownBead: wireTypical Price: $24.99
Links
Bontrager tires
Continental tires
Evo tires
Kenda tires
Michelin tires
Panaracer tires
Specialized tires