Jerry Moos brought up the subject of 700c v 27" wheels, and Wes Gadd added a nice touch:
In the mid 70's some Gitane Tour De France bikes came OEM with 700c clinchers as an alternative to sewups. Weinmann rims(not concave, but the ones with dimpled spoke holes) and 700c versions of the then ubiquitous Hutchinson " Facon Main" gumwall tire. I remember concerns being voiced by some in the shop about finding replacements for the "oddball" sized tire in the future!
Well, in the mid-60s, in Jerry's Own Houston, I do remember seeing a line of inexpensive French bikes (Astra or Motobecane, if I recall correctly, and lugless?) being sold at a local car dealership. I was very disapproving about those odd 700c wheels, knew you'd never get replacements anywhere. This was back when the only source of real racing parts I knew about was Gene Portuesi's CycloPedia... Ladies and gentlemen, there are aspects of the good old days that weren't so good... harvey sachs mcLean Va Will I be bounced for admitting that I occasionally commute on the Austro-Daimler Vent Noir? It is such a nice ride, and the black "Jim Blackburn" rack goes well with the black panniers (thanks Sarah!) and the all-black Vent Noir.
but I'm not a slave to fashion....