lowlux

Need to replace nipples, spokes, on a 27" rim or should i upgrade to 700cc? its a 1980s univega viva touring

I do not know the size of the spokes and need some kind of tool to take the sprocket off.

Its a sun tour rim, on the inside it has the numbers 34 12 18, What do these numbers mean?

fietsbob

Not a clue : either take the wheel to the bike shop
and have them unscrew the freewheel
and you can ask them about the spoke length,
or the vague information offered
with out picture of the freewheel
to have a clue as to what remover to suggest
has only suitable response

Jeff Wills

Well, I wouldn't go that far, Bob. But I'd start at the start- why do you think you need to replace the spokes? The only reason to replace all the spokes is if you've broken several in succession and it's apparent that the others have fatigued beyond usefulness.

The real answer is as Bob says: take the wheel to a bike shop. They will measure the existing spokes and sell you exact replacements. Even on new parts, manufacturing variations cause the same parts from the same manufacturer to need different spoke lengths. They will also remove the freewheel for you, usually for a minimum charge. You won't need a tool to put it back on- it just threads on and pedaling pressure tightens it down.

The third answer is also possible: replacing the spokes on a 25-year-old wheel isn't worth it. New, prebuilt 27" wheels are still available, and you'll have a new hub and rim for less than the combined parts would cost you, not to mention the hassle of building a wheel. (Unless, of course, you're a wheel-building addict like me who must rebuild bike wheels, no matter if they need it or not.)

lowlux

it has like a ring in the middle. is it possible to make the tool ? https://img807.imageshack.us/content_...0423003449.jpg

Jeff Wills

Possible? Yes. Smart? Not a chance. That's an ordinary Suntour freewheel. Every bike shop on the planet has a 2-prong remover for it. It'll cost you a couple dollars for them to remove it for you, and maybe 10 bucks to buy the tool itself.

lowlux

Nipples are worn, Spokes are little rusted,

The back wheel has 42 spokes, How low of a spokes can i go? 36? anyone sell a cheap builder kit?

Can i upgrade to 700c? It would be hard to find 27" rims.

lowlux

what brand of spokes or nipples should i get?

If i was to build a new rim? what should i get? i can't find anything in 27"

would rather have allow instead of steal.

fietsbob

Ah,step 1 buy 2 prong sun tour freewheel remover, have bike shop show you how to use it.

I would suggest the purchase of 2 700c wheels , and adjust the brakes to meet the
slightly smaller rim
its about 5 mm smaller, its hard to find 27'' wheels and parts
because the industry has adopted the metric wheel size pretty universally.

for the ride a 27[630]-1.25 and a 700c [622]-32 will be quite close.

630 - 622 = 8, as the numbers are diameter ,the brake shoe has to move 4mm
in radius, smaller.

fietsbob

weird, (typo?)
as spoked wheels usually come in groups of 4 ie 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 48
no groups of 10.5

lowlux

missed counted, 40 spokes.

BCRider

There's a huge number of threads about converting from 27 to 700c. The bottom line is that sometimes the brakes will let you do this and sometimes they won't. So the cost of converting to 700c can end up being wheels and new longer reach brake calipers. If you like the bike well enough and if the present calipers won't let the pads go low enough then Tektro makes some nice longer reach dual pivot calipers.

And it's not that the guys said to rebuild the 27 inch rim. They were suggesting to just buy a whole new rim. You can get 27 inch whole wheels that have alloy rims and decent enough freewheel hubs. This would likely be the better way to go since the original wheel is likely worn on the sides enough from using the brakes over the years to be thin and not worth the cost and effort of replacing the spokes.

fietsbob

to help calculate, consider: retail for plain stainless steel spokes,
$ 1 each is common.

lowlux

700c is smaller then 27"? I thought it was bigger?

lowlux

Where do i buy spokes? and nipples?

fietsbob

At your local bike shop, bring your project in and they will help you get the right
length of spoke, NB they vary according to hub and rim choices..

BCRider

700c is a smaller rim by about 1/2 inch. It's just enough that depending on the bike frame and which brake calipers are used sometimes the pads can be adjusted to reach and other times they can't.

lowlux

is it possible to make the freewheel tool? or does anyone sell one for cheap?

fietsbob

Take the wheel to the Bike Shop, pay them a couple bucks to take off the freewheel.

You have a very well stocked machine shop you may make one,
A lathe , steel stock , and a heat treatment knack,
i don't sense thats your situation..


not to confuse the issue more , ...
NB 70CM is 27,5", but 700c is not 700CM
[there is a 700A, and a 700B, also, they are bigger, but very uncommon]

brake radius , 27''- 315mm. vs 311 for 700c
FWIW,
700c a narrow rim and tire, is same size for wheel swaps with Sew Up tires,
on the pro race bikes.. they are Glued to the rim.

Jeff Wills

Whoo, boy... be prepared to do some reading: https://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html