I run the Conti Gatorskins in 27" as well, and my LBS is now building me a new rear wheel with a Phil Wood freewheel hub - I can certainly afford a new touring frame, but I like this bike so much that I'm paying more for a bombproof rear wheel than the rest of the bike cost me, after breaking my axle last week. That is one thing to watch out for with older touring bikes, especially if you're riding heavily loaded and/or are on the heavier side - freewheel axles can and do break, make sure you're regularly servicing your hubs. You can avoid that problem by switching from freewheel to a cassette hub rear wheel, though that will amost certainly require re-spacing the dropouts.