Gommitalia Platinum tubulars? how old are these?

[Robin77]

hey all, Yank here. i found some Gommitalia “Platinum” tubulars for sale here in the USA (we hate Trump) and from searching on RetroBike it seems they were made by Ambrosio, the rim company? when could these have been made? im afraid the glue holding the rubber tread to the cotton carcass may get weak with heat generated by actually riding on them? there were some searches i found here from 2012-ish so a twelve year old tire would be ok, but twenty years might be a bit sketchy? thanks, paranoid in the USA ; )
-robin

 

[juvela]

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found one report stating that Gommitalia a successor entity to Veloflex

there is an Italian rubbergoods producer called Gommi Ambrosiana, S.p.A.

cycling products from Ambrosiana were sold under the Vittoria brand name and included wired-on tyres, tubular tyres, rimstrips, brake lever hoods and tubular tyre carriers for underseat mount

in the U.K. their stockist was Ron Kitching of "Everything Cycling" in Harrogate

here is a page from the company catalogue of 1963 -



its automobile tyre division is called Gommiauto Ambrosiana, S.p.A.

https://www.gommautoambrosiana.it/en-gb

AFAIK thar be no relation betwixt Ambrosio products and Ambrosiana ones


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[Robin77]

ok thanks. i heard rumors that Gommitalia was a spinoff of Veloflex but no evidence to back the claim. appreciate your comment.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Old tyres can be fine, or they can shed rubber.
But 12 years isn't that old.

Storage is crucial.

The main ageing problem is that the rubber hardens then cracks.
A tubular tyre body is all woven, so that ought to be ok structurally, whereas a cheap old clincher can unwrap off the bead

I've got and dealt with plenty of bikes with much older tyres on- initially treat them with caution, then just keep an eye on them.

 

[Robin77]

Old tyres can be fine, or they can shed rubber.
But 12 years isn't that old.

Storage is crucial.

The main ageing problem is that the rubber hardens then cracks.
A tubular tyre body is all woven, so that ought to be ok structurally, whereas a cheap old clincher can unwrap off the bead

I've got and dealt with plenty of bikes with much older tyres on- initially treat them with caution, then just keep an eye on them.

yes, a friend gave me two Vittoria CX from 1980s, never used. i glued one on the rear last summer and after a few rides the rubber separated from the carcass! i still have one, still has the latex on the sidewall!