Originally Posted by
ElTejon
Am restoring an old Dawes Galaxy and considering getting rid of the original 27" wheels (aluminum Weinmann rims) and building up new ones on 700c rims, either using the original hubs (high flange, Sunshine) or maybe shelling out for some new ones (Velo Orange makes a 126mm spaced rear hub that looks nice) or some nice used ones (Campy maybe). Does anyone have strong feelings about the advantages or disadvantages of converting to 700c on an old road bike? Biggest advantage it seems to me would be greater tire selection with 700c, as well as a bit more clearance in the frame to run a slightly wider tire in the rear. Does it change the way the bike rides/feels? The brakes are long enough to reach 700c rims, I'm pretty sure. I suppose an alternative is just getting new 27" rims and rebuilding with those. Any recommendations or thoughts about 27" rims that are available for sale these days would also be appreciated. Thanks!
If you're building up new ones, might as well go 700c (if brakes will reach, as may others have commented). I wouldn't rebuild to 27" unless you want to keep "original" and you're afraid you'd get booted out of the Original Owners of Vintage Dawes Galaxy Club.
Others have touched on the reason for going from 700c to 650b, typically you have room for much fatter tires + fenders. And that almost always necessitates a brake change.
If you're thinking about getting new hubs, I'd suggest you have the frame spread to 130mm by someone who knows what they're doing. That gives you more and possibly better choices for gearing.