Originally Posted by nukemm
I have similar questions, as I'm looking for an older steel roadie to fix up this winter & ride when the good weather comes back. How hard is a 27-700c conversion? What about brakes, can newer brakes be retrofitted onto older bikes? Any particulars I should stay away from when buying an older roadie?
It depends on your frames geometry has to whether or not medium or long reach calipers will work. My switch from 27 to 700 worked with the stock Superbe brakes with no alterations.
Yes newer brakes will work but why if your old brakes work? The newer dual pivot brakes DO NOT stop your bike faster then the old single pivot design; the only advantage of the newer ones is that the brake action feels lighter and smoother- though I dispute that with mine