Originally Posted by Ziemas
Oddly enough many places in Europe call 700c rims 28 inch rims. It's the *only* thing I've ever seen measured in inches in Europe. Go figure....
Some bicycle fittings are still spec'ed in "English" measurements.
English (ISO) bottom bracket cups are 1-3/8" diameter (often seen as 1.37 or 1.375 or as their metric equivalent of 34.9 mm) and 24 tpi (threads per inch). Even Italian bottom brackets used the mixed measurements of 36 mm x 24 tpi.
The new "oversize" handlebar and stem diameter is 1-1/4", again sold under their metric equivalent as 31.7 or 31.8 mm (the exact measure is 31.75 mm) and steerers are either 1" (25.4mm) or 1-1/8" (28.6 mm).