can I swap?

[poweredbypies]

Can I fit 700c wheels into my 27" wheeled frame? Theres not a lot of choice in 27" tyres and my wheels are pretty skanky anyway, so was wondering if I could get 700c wheels in there insted.

 

[Old Ned]

Yes, of course you can, no problem apart from the 'reach' of the brakes which may not adjust far enough down to reach the rims.

'Deeper calipers may be available' to use BBC speech.

 

[nammonk]

Yes you can, but you might need to fit longer reach brake calipers since the diameter of 700C rims is a bit less than that of 27" rims. If your calipers are almost at full reach with 27" wheels (i.e. you couldn't move the brake blocks much lower), then you will need new calipers. If you've got some adjustment to play with, you might get away with it. You may find the bike looks a little odd, as you'll be increasing the clearances between the frame and the wheels. If it is already quite high clearance (training/touring geometry with mudguard clearance), it can certainly look a bit unappealing.

There are some pretty cheap long reach calipers available (Tektro?), or Weinmann used to do a range of long reach calipers in the 70s, and they were fitted to pretty much everything in the UK. I expect someone on here has some knocking around. In my experience, the braking experience with long-reach Weinmann calipers leaves a lot to be desired... Can't comment on more modern ones.

nick

 

[Old Ned]

Yes, of course you can, no problem apart from the 'reach' of the brakes which may not adjust far enough down to reach the rims.

'Deeper calipers may be available' to use BBC speech.

WOW - how spooky is that :shock:

Identical answers (well, almost!) at the same time.

 

[nammonk]

I ramble at length though.

 

[poweredbypies]

Thats good then, and I dont mind it looking strange. I have already put flat bars on it and I look strange on it its a big frame and im not that tall. Looks like I've borrowed my dads bike Have kept all the old bits.

 

[nammonk]

If it is old and 5 speed freewheel, you'll need to make sure you get a narrow enough hub on the rear as well. Modern hubs are wider than old ones. 120mm changed to 130mm over the years via 126mm... Can do a bit of squeezing in steel frames without many significant issues. Many threads on this already, with discussion of niceties (tracking, squareness, ...)
nick

 

[nammonk]

btw, the extra caliper reach you need should be 4mm. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_5775
nick

 

[poweredbypies]

If it is old and 5 speed freewheel, you'll need to make sure you get a narrow enough hub on the rear as well. Modern hubs are wider than old ones. 120mm changed to 130mm over the years via 126mm... Can do a bit of squeezing in steel frames without many significant issues. Many threads on this already, with discussion of niceties (tracking, squareness, ...)
nick

Well I would prolly get the cheapest ones about so hopefully should be old tech and fit. Its only my work hack so quality isnt an issue.