Mark Agree writes:
1970 Road Paramount, Deluxe P-10. I'm told that Waterford says it came with 27" wheels. Someone is asking me if this bike (his) can work with 700c wheels, and Campy long reach brakes. So that's the question: will a drop bolt bring Campy long reach brakes down enough to work on this bike with 700c wheels, or will it still require 27"? Thanks...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1970 is before the Campy brakes were available. Join me, friends, as we return to those days or yore, and wrap our heads around the attitudes BCB (before Campy brakes). With the excaption of the Universal 68s, NOBODY I knew thought that a serious bike should have anything except center-pulls. More leverage, and didn't get out of adjustment as easily. I was astounded when I first saw the Campy sidepulls in a Raleigh Catalogue, for the Pro. So, we argued among ourselves whether to replace the Weinmanns on our Paramounts with Mafacs, and then I discovered the Universal 61 CP, but sidepulls? Never, not where I lived. Would have been laughed at. Of course, Houston and even Providence RI were not the very center of the cycling universe, but side-pulls just weren't done.
And, of course, the Paramount not only had 27" wheels, but pretty generous clearance on the touring model. I reckon that the only sidepull of that vintage that will easily fit is the Universal Extra, at least on the back.
But, I could be wrong...
BTW, some of us did convert early to 700c wheels, so we could train on "clinchers" and race on sew-ups, w/o having to adjust the brake pad location.
harvey sachs
mcLean va