Normally, I agree. But since its damn hard to find a 27.0, its just a question of shaving down those two millimeters so a standard seatpost can fit. A good bike shop has the machine tools on hand to get it done. I'm keeping the North Road. The stem may go for a more upright riding position... and I'm changing the Pashley from from a path racer configuration to a high end roadster commuter. Its does have Reynolds 531 tubing!