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27" x 1 1/4" Rims

Old 05-08-08, 12:09 AM
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27" x 1 1/4" Rims

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased a 77' Raleigh Grand Prix frame set for my summer project. This is my first project so I am unsure about a lot of things, thanks for the understanding and your time.

Anyway, I am now looking for cheap pair of 27" x 1 1/4" rims (old/new) I was wondering if there's anyone willing to sell me their sets or maybe a good online site to purchase from.

A quick question, for now I am still deciding on a fixie or just keep the Raleigh gear box that comes with. My question is what kind of rim (fixed gear vs. 5/6 speed axle & what are the specs i should be looking for).

Thanks
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Old 05-08-08, 01:50 AM
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You don't say what country you are in? For me, that would make quite a difference as to what I would do with a bike with 27" wheels.

Are you in the UK or an ANZAC country? In the USA, the 27 inch wheel went extinct long ago as far as new bike sales are concerned. Perhaps in the UK, home to a long tradition of quality bikes like Raleigh built on that size wheels, there are still good parts to be found.

I still have a bike with 27 inch wheels, a Japanese frame from about 1980. I did a rebuild on the bike a few weeks ago, and I had to have a rear wheel built for me by hand to get what I wanted. I am glad I did it, but it wasn't cheap. I am sure that the next time this bike needs a rebuild I will still be able to if I want to, but the parts are getting harder and harder to find each time.

This is a good project, but you might have limited choices in the future, as you repair and replace parts for this bike.

Howard
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Old 05-08-08, 04:26 AM
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Originally Posted by metzenberg
You don't say what country you are in? For me, that would make quite a difference as to what I would do with a bike with 27" wheels.

Are you in the UK or an ANZAC country? In the USA, the 27 inch wheel went extinct long ago as far as new bike sales are concerned. Perhaps in the UK, home to a long tradition of quality bikes like Raleigh built on that size wheels, there are still good parts to be found.

I still have a bike with 27 inch wheels, a Japanese frame from about 1980. I did a rebuild on the bike a few weeks ago, and I had to have a rear wheel built for me by hand to get what I wanted. I am glad I did it, but it wasn't cheap. I am sure that the next time this bike needs a rebuild I will still be able to if I want to, but the parts are getting harder and harder to find each time.

This is a good project, but you might have limited choices in the future, as you repair and replace parts for this bike.
Howard
Nah, man. There are plenty of NEW 27" wheels available at reasonable prices - like $35.00 for the whole wheel. You don't have to buy custom built wheels.

I would have to do some digging, but I am sure someone on the forums will post a link to a good wheel supplier. They are still out there in good supply. In fact, there are far more 27" wheels in use today than 700 mm wheels and there is an industry that supports them. That is why when you go to the big-box stores, you can find 27" tires, but not 700 mm tires.

Don't panic. Do a Google search or search the forums. About 8 months ago somebody posted a link to a site with the $35.00 alloy 27" wheels.

Good luck.
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Old 05-08-08, 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted by mike
Nah, man. There are plenty of NEW 27" wheels available at reasonable prices - like $35.00 for the whole wheel. You don't have to buy custom built wheels.

I would have to do some digging, but I am sure someone on the forums will post a link to a good wheel supplier. They are still out there in good supply. In fact, there are far more 27" wheels in use today than 700 mm wheels and there is an industry that supports them. That is why when you go to the big-box stores, you can find 27" tires, but not 700 mm tires.

Don't panic. Do a Google search or search the forums. About 8 months ago somebody posted a link to a site with the $35.00 alloy 27" wheels.

Good luck.

Mike,

I wanted a much higher quality hub than I coud get on the $35 wheel, so I spent the money for it. That meant I had to have a wheel built for me, which is OK because it is one heck of a strong wheel now. All I am saying is, the options for repairing a 27 inch wheel bike are already limited in the USA, and they are becoming more so.

Howard
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Old 05-08-08, 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by metzenberg
Mike,

I wanted a much higher quality hub than I coud get on the $35 wheel, so I spent the money for it. That meant I had to have a wheel built for me, which is OK because it is one heck of a strong wheel now. All I am saying is, the options for repairing a 27 inch wheel bike are already limited in the USA, and they are becoming more so.

Howard
OK, Howard. I didn't mean to poo-poo you.
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Old 05-08-08, 04:15 PM
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This is the cheapest i've found. the wheels are good enough quality. You will need to true the wheels when you get them however.

https://www.bikepartsusa.com/cgi-bin/...=wheel-27_inch
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Old 05-08-08, 04:24 PM
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Originally Posted by metzenberg
I wanted a much higher quality hub than I coud get on the $35 wheel, so I spent the money for it. That meant I had to have a wheel built for me, which is OK because it is one heck of a strong wheel now.

Quality 27" wheels can be had just the same here in the States, and you can also pick up nice quality examples of older rim/hub combos on eBay in about the same price range.


Originally Posted by metzenberg
All I am saying is, the options for repairing a 27 inch wheel bike are already limited in the USA, and they are becoming more so.
Absolute bull.

Granted, it is more difficult to find new parts then with 700C, but selection is by no means dangerously limited for 27". New rims can be had, and if you're willing to go used or older NOS, they are most bountiful in smaller LBS's, eBay, and the general used-parts market.

It infuriates me when someone who does not care to do any legwork (other then have their LBS parrot the J&B catalog to them) considers themselves knowledgeable enough to spread the misinformation that the 630mm size is obsolete, for it is not. Sun Rims and others make quality 27" rims, 27" tires in all quality ranges are still available, and the sheer gallimaufry of '70s and 80's machines (both low-end and high-end) made with this wheel size guarantee that it will not die anytime soon. Period.

...unless, of course, folks kill the size off by spreading the rumor that it is impossible to purchase decent tires or parts for it. Hint, hint

Take care,

-Kurt

P.S.: This might be better moved to the Bicycle Mechanics section.
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Old 05-08-08, 08:08 PM
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I just found shopworn 36h NOS 27" rims at a decent price. (I can't believe I am doing this, since at one point I had decided not to build any more 27" wheels, but these were too good a deal to pass up.)
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Old 05-08-08, 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by John E
I just found shopworn 36h NOS 27" rims at a decent price. (I can't believe I am doing this, since at one point I had decided not to build any more 27" wheels, but these were too good a deal to pass up.)
Let me know if you come across a pair of Mavic 27"s.

-Kurt
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Old 05-09-08, 03:13 AM
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Hey Kurt,

That's pretty strong words, don't you think. For me, and for most of the world, time is money. I'd rather be doing something else than searching for unusual bike parts, like maybe riding the bike. But I'm glad there are people around like you who enjoy such projects.

As I mentioned above, I do own a bike with 27 inch wheels. One of the things I like about it is that it looks awful, but is a great ride, so I don't have to be fussy about it getting stolen or having parts stripped off if I leave it locked up outside overnight. I just overhauled it for less than half what a comparable new bike would cost. That's why I still own it. But I'm not going to spend a day looking for a new rim, if it ever comes to that.

Howard
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Old 05-09-08, 07:30 AM
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You can still open a QBP catalog at the LBS and get anything you will ever need in 27/630.

Some of the really high end rims are o.o.p., but there are still loads of good choices left.
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Old 05-09-08, 10:25 AM
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While true that you won't find a modern non-department store road bike with 27" wheels, that doesn't mean they are hard to find.

I had a wheelset built from parts easily purchased from the QBP catalog. 27" wheels with quality rims (Sun CR18) Tiagra hubs so that I could run a modern 10 speed setup (105 except for the hubs) on my vintage touring bike with cantilever brakes.

All parts for the wheels were received, and the wheels built before the rest of the build kit arrived.

I went into the LBS and told them what I wanted, and they did it... Does that sound rare or time consuming?

For good tires, I just ordered a couple sets of Panaracer Pasela Tourguards on sale for $10 each from Nashbar. I also have a few other tire brands I like.

27" is dead only if you feel the driving need to have the latest bling, or really like having more choices than you can ever use. Otherwise, it is alive and well, and will be for many years.
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Old 05-09-08, 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by metzenberg
That's pretty strong words, don't you think. For me, and for most of the world, time is money. I'd rather be doing something else than searching for unusual bike parts, like maybe riding the bike. But I'm glad there are people around like you who enjoy such projects.
It is fine with me when someone would rather take care of their problem the easy way - I have no objection to that, and I certainly see your point.

This said though, being an avid supporter of the 27"/630mm size, I am frequently upset by statements that denounce the size as being obsolete or impossible to get parts for, as such (incorrect) rumor easily becomes spread about as fact - next thing you know, everybody is parroting the same thing. Ten years later, the size dies out. From what? Rumor.

If you haven't already guessed, I'm doing my part to see that the 27" size is kept well and alive.

...because I have six bikes that utilize the size

-Kurt

P.S.: Here's cursing Specialized for discontinuing their original skinwall Turbo series (which came in 27", both wire and Kevlar bead). Fragile as heck, but boy, do those tires roll.
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Old 05-15-08, 02:06 PM
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I have a Raliegh Gran Prix from sometime in the 1970s. I replaced the original 27" wheels with 700 C wheels; they fit fine. According to Sheldon Brown, 27" wheels have a bead seat diameter of 630mm, while 700 C wheels have a bead seat diameter of 622mm. That's a 4mm difference in radius; there was plenty of adjustment space in the stock caliper brakes to accommodate that small difference.
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