Back in the day, both 27" and 700c were available. The size you used depended on where you planned to tour the most. 27" was more available in the US and 700c in Europe. Some people prefered 700c because it was easy to swap clinchers and sewups. If the frame was designed for 700c there may be problems with 27". For example, my Gazelle has 27" and I have to deflate the rear tire to remove the wheel. Toeclip clip could might be a problem too. Going the other way, brake reach might be a problem. If you want to go with 27", it will be much easier now that five years from now. Do whatever makes a better bike for your purposes.
Leonard Bulger Ann Arbor MI
Brandon wrote:
As most of you know I bought Chris' Centurion Pro-Tour and am in the process of making it more period. I built it up with a mix of parts from my boxes. The first thing I need to replace is the Campy Record/Wolber Aspin wheels. I have some steel-center Phil Wood hubs, but hadn't they moved to the cast alloy body by '82? I've decided to use Weinmann concaves for the rims since I've used them for years and never had a problem. I'm going to have to buy the rims so the question becomes 27" or 700c? 700c will fit and won't look weird and I'll have great tires to choose from for as long as I'll need them. 27" is more "period correct" and may look better when I get the fenders, but tire selection is dicey at best and who knows about the future. Anybody have an firm feelings one way or another? thanks, Brandon"monkeyman"Ives SB, CA