Originally Posted by
1987
Interesting that 27 was so wide spread in US. 700B = 635 is the classic size for utility bikes in Scandinavia. The size is obsolete, so no new bikes are made in that size. But it's still very easy to get new 635 tires here.
I have an almost antique bike, with the largest tire size ever made for safety bikes. 642 mm, a total nightmare to get a new pair. They are probably still made in China. I've seen them in one online shop in Australia.
When I moved from the US to Sweden this winter (because I'm so good at making decisions...
), despite knowing that there's no particular advantage to 700c wheels over 27" wheels when all other things are kept constant, I dumped my last 27" wheel and its unused partner in part to upgrade to a double-walled rim and modern cassette hub, but also because I didn't want to rely on a tire size that might be difficult to find here. Looking at inventory in shops here, I know I made the right decision. Though, I only brought two bikes that were special to me.
I also bought a Finnish city bike that was probably 20 years old or so, with a plastic cantilever brake and lever to complement the rear hub's coaster brake, after I got here and before my stuff arrived. It came with really nice, single-walled Belgian rims in great shape, both 700c! I'm still beating the tar out of the rear rim and haven't had to get out the spoke wrench once despite the brutal flogging it takes. Go figure!