Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - 700c. Rear vs. 27" front?

Newb here, used search function, be easy on me.

My first fixed build (late 70s/early 80s Raleigh Grand Prix - don't hate on low end) is mostly complete.

However, I'm running a suicide hub right now, and everything is working ok, just put on some loctite and rotafixed, heard a lot of mixed things ("cog will never come off even with excessive skidding" to "use both brakes or die!").

I'm sure the smart people of BFSSFG will say track hub or die, but I'm not sure about buying this Vuelta 700c Rear Wheel for $50. Would having a smaller rear than front just be really weird? Would this compromise my bottom bracket height a whole lot (using 165s, but when on wrong side of pedals, clips scrape often.

Thanks a lot in advance! Here's a picture of the bike to keep you satisfied (hopefully)
http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx325/Bungmaster/margo13.jpg

Buy a pair of 700c wheels... the bike's geometry will remain intact.

If you set up a suicide hub properly and let the loctite cure things should be fine although I'd run a rear brake as insurance.

Nice to see that you have your front brake mounted on the proper side as well... :)

The Grand Prix is a nice riding bike and solid as all get out... and it looks good.

Thanks a bunch for the compliments!
But my question was would just the rear wheel mess up the geometry?
And by the "geometry will remain intact", does that mean pedal strike shouldn't be a problem?

Edit:
Would buy a pair, but
1. NOOO money
2. Would have the replace front brake
3. (Pedal strike mentioned above?)

If you set up a suicide hub properly and let the loctite cure things should be fine although I'd run a rear brake as insurance.

Nice to see that you have your front brake mounted on the proper side as well... :)


I agree with all of the above. Changing ONLY the rear wheel won't mess anything up. The wheel will be slightly smaller, but if you get a wide enough tire it might actually be the same overall diameter.

Thanks for the input guys, think I'll just run this setup to the ground, then when I get funding to start a legitimate fixed build (Pursuit tarck ftw), I'll buy a decent wheelset

A new rear with a slightly higher volume tyre is a good idea... putting a smaller wheel in the back would slacken the head angle but a different tyre might overcome that.

The GP is a pretty relaxed road bike and a little slacker head angle might not even be noticed... the bb clearance won't change by any noticeable degree as it is only a 4mm difference between the rims.

yeah while your at it get some new tires too yours look pretty good and dry rotted.

yeah while your at it get some new tires too yours look pretty good and dry rotted.

That's funny, replaced em yesterday :lol:

I've been riding a Peugeot with a 700c rear wheel and a 27in front for 3 months. Aesthetics aside, I think its fine.

I've been riding a Peugeot with a 700c rear wheel and a 27in front for 3 months. Aesthetics aside, I think its fine.

So it does look weird? Picture please

Sounds like those mountain bikes with the 26" rear and 29" front. Looks goofy, but accelerates and handles well, while the larger front wheel rolls a little smoother over bumps than a smaller wheel would

Sounds like those mountain bikes with the 26" rear and 29" front. Looks goofy, but accelerates and handles well, while the larger front wheel rolls a little smoother over bumps than a smaller wheel would

Not quite. A 700c wheel and a 27" wheel are only 8mm different in diameter. A 26" MTB wheel and "twenty-niner" wheel (same as 700c) are 63 mm different, about 2.5 inches. I doubt even a trained eye could see the difference between a 27" up front and a 700c in back.

Sounds like those mountain bikes with the 26" rear and 29" front. Looks goofy, but accelerates and handles well, while the larger front wheel rolls a little smoother over bumps than a smaller wheel would


Yes but the entire idea of a 29er is having a larger rolling diameter. I mean, it works and it looks goofy. Thats about all there is to it. I really dont believe there is any benefit besides people looking and going *huh?*

Yes but the entire idea of a 29er is having a larger rolling diameter. I mean, it works and it looks goofy. Thats about all there is to it. I really dont believe there is any benefit besides people looking and going *huh?*

Also you get to call it a 69er.

Giggle.