Bike Forums - View Single Post - Rudge Aero--27" or 650A?

08-30-18 | 07:26 AM

#13

Road Fan

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Joined: Apr 2005

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From: Ann Arbor, MI

Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8

Quote:

Originally Posted by clubman

I think 27" was at least an option as early as 50, maybe earlier? Too lazy to go look.

But not 650A. EA1 (26 X 1 1/4) was pretty much the standard for 531 club bikes pre 1950. But you all know this.

You should go look. The article I linked to and it's sibling pieces, all by Peter Kohler, portray a large number of different models that are all very similar but all-but identical between the sibling Raleigh, Rudge, and Humber models. But the Rudge/Raleigh/Humber literature as cited do not show the option for 26" versus 27" wheels.

There were a lot of similar models that were contemporary, and a lot of small changes to the same-name models, across 15 years or so reaching back before World War II. But it does not appear you could have ordered a Rudge Model 127 in 1952 (the Rudge Aero Special this is assumed to be) with the choice between 27" and 26" wheels.

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