Classic & Vintage - Will a 700 wheel fit on a Colnago with 27 inch wheels now

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rsbonoan
08-18-09, 06:21 PM
I have a Colnago with a 27 inch wheel set. I was wondering if I can switch to the newer 700 wheels by just getting new rims and spokes. It's getting harder to find good 27 in tires.

urodacus
08-18-09, 06:26 PM
You may have problems with brake reach on some brands of brakes, but it's generally do-able, and recommended unless you need to keep the bike completely stock. There are always some alternative brakes out there that will fit.


On such an old bike, the rims might need replacing anyway. Getting new rims is like getting a whole new wheelset!
repechage
08-18-09, 06:55 PM
I have never seen a Colnago designed for 27" wheels, so I think going to 700c should work, 4mm approx rim radius difference, so can you lower the brake blocks 4mm and be good?

rsbonoan
08-19-09, 01:36 AM
Will put 700's as long as I don't have to touch the brakes. The wheels were the ones my father used to use when he rode the bike in the early 80's. I just recently brought it out of storage and could only find 1 tire brand for the 27 in rims. That's when I thought of switching to 700's because I plan on restoring it.

I have another thread "Restoring an early 80's Colnago" with pictures.

Thanks for the input
miamijim
08-19-09, 05:53 AM
Are you 100% positive those are 27's? There's no way a 27" wheel with tires the size of yours would fit on my Colnago.

From what I can see in the pictures your brakes should be OK.
rsbonoan
08-19-09, 09:48 AM
Yes they are 27 inch tires. I bought them myself to replace old and cracked tubeless Continentals that were on the rims. All my dad's bikes used 27 inchers way back when.

So are you saying 700's wont be a problem? The brakes do seem to have enough adjustment for them to fit.

Then it wont be a problem getting newer rims for the restoration I'm planning.

Thanks
miamijim
08-19-09, 11:04 AM
So are you saying 700's wont be a problem? The brakes do seem to have enough adjustment for them to fit.

Then it wont be a problem getting newer rims for the restoration I'm planning.

Thanks

From what I can see in your pictures it looks like you have more than enough room to slide down the brake pads. As noted earlier all you need is 4mm of downward movement!!
rsbonoan
08-19-09, 06:20 PM
Many thanks for everyone's input. Will post a "before and after" thread when I'm done with my restoration project