Bicycle Mechanics - Old Road Bike Conversion / Wheelset

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red_raider_dude
10-05-09, 05:45 PM
Hello all,

Quick question from Lubbock. I have an old roadie with stock wheels measuring 27" x 1 1/4". I'd really like to upgrade them to a 700cc wheelset, just for the different options. First question: is this possible? Second question: If it's possible, how can I go about doing this?

(I've done some searching in the forums, found somethings that MAY suit my situation, but I wanted to clarify)

Thanks for your time!

slimetrail
10-05-09, 05:50 PM
It should swap out easy. The main issue is that since the wheels are smaller, your current brake calipers might not reach the new rims (especially if you go for smaller tires). Check out how much more space there is to move the brake pads down, if its not much you'll need longer reaching calipers!

The other thing is the bike will ride a lil different because of the smaller wheels. good luck...
red_raider_dude
10-05-09, 05:53 PM
It should swap out easy. The main issue is that since the wheels are smaller, your current brake calipers might not reach the new rims (especially if you go for smaller tires). Check out how much more space there is to move the brake pads down, if its not much you'll need longer reaching calipers!

The other thing is the bike will ride a lil different because of the smaller wheels. good luck...

Thanks a bunch for the super quick reply. I've got a set of Shimano Tiagra brakes coming in soon, so I'll see where they hit. The new wheelset would be sometime in the future, but it's great to know that it may work.

Thanks again!

TurbineBlade
10-05-09, 05:58 PM
Yeah, I've done it. With old road brakes you can usually adjust to reach the 700c's just fine. I don't know about yours.

I like to run a 32mm tire and fenders if possible with that conversion....sometimes you can, sometimes not.
sooprvylyn
10-05-09, 06:22 PM
The tire size wont affect the brake reach, just the rim. In fact you will gain about 1 cm of tire clearance on your frame when you go to 700c. You will need long reach calipers. I'd be surprised if your new tiagra brake calipers reach as they are mostly short reach brakes. You can get a brake bridge extender which will drop your brakes about a cm closer to the tire. Can't remember what they are called exactly so having an issue finding them for you. They are basically a piece that fits in the brake bridge and fork crown that have a new hole dropped lower down where you can attach your calipers. Don't give up on your conversion, anything is possible.
red_raider_dude
10-05-09, 07:25 PM
Don't give up on your conversion, anything is possible.

Thanks for the encouragement. The more I think about it, the more I want to keep going with this build. The frame may not be the best quality, but I still get a kick out of it. And thanks for the heads-up about that adapter. I'll start looking for it now.