jorglueke

I have a large size Sekine SHT that needs component upgrades. I don't want to ride on the steel rims but is there a compelling reason to not use the modern 27 1/4" wheels out there and instead convert to the 700cc?

Narhay

More tire choices in 700c. There are a couple good quality 27" rims but most are low end because it is an obsolete standard at this point. You'd have to see if your brakes would reach the 700c (4mm more reach) otherwise you would need new calipers. If you've got cantilever brakes you may or may not be able to do it.

T-Mar

OEM rims on the SHT were aluminum. Are you sure you have steel? If so, somebody changed the wheels or it's not an SHT.

thinktubes 

Yes - it's 2017.

Vintage Raleigh

I have two low end 70s bikes that I've upgraded from 27" steel to 27" Weinmann basic alloy rims and DT SS spokes. One with Schwalbe tan wall tyres, the other with Pasela's.
The Schwalbe's are quite dead in feel, when they wear out I'll fit some Pasela's.

I also have the International with 27" Wolber Gentleman's and Pasela's.
These rims are much better being box sectioned and eyeleted.

I'm very happy with the Pasela's and won't be trying out others. The lack of choice makes my life easier actually. I like the look of 27" wheels and the 27 x 1 1/4 tyres on the bike too. It makes it all about the wheels.

old's'cool

As a general comment, I'm into re-using 27" rims that I have on hand, but it would take an extenuating case these days to shell out for new or used 27" rims vs 700c, just based on the reasons already given above. If period correct is a criterion, there are plenty of used/NOS 700c to fit the bill, at reasonable prices. Extenuating circumstances I can foresee are an absolutely stock restoration, or misfit to the brake calipers, with no recourse to changing the calipers to resolve the issue, for whatever reason. Or possibly misfit to the frame/fork, on aesthetic grounds (i.e. wheels look too small). If we're really reaching, then OK, an unsupported tour including waypoints in/via BFE, 27" might be slightly less of a gamble than 700c, if emergency purchase of replacement tires at a local hardware or dept. store were a consideration.

jorglueke

It has chrome Shimano forged dropouts, Titlist derailleur, forged alloy crank. The rear hub looks to say DHB with steel rims, 26.6 or 26.8mm seatpost. Probably later 70's model based on the head badge.

jorglueke

This was owned by one guy and then kept by his brother, so it's all original components which all need to be swapped out, given that I suppose it makes sense to go with 700c rims. It has center pulls so it should work.

CliffordK

I like narrow wheels

So, I'd look at the 700c wheels. But, might be tempted to keep it with 27x1. Do you need more space for something like fender clearance?

VO PBP 27" Rim
Bicycle Tire Panaracer Pasela Protite 27x1 Fold Black/Sk | eBay

There still is some selection in the wider 27" tires. But, it gets very limited for the narrow tires.

Lascauxcaveman 

The only compelling reason I can think of (since that's what you asked for), is if you need more clearance for a larger tire and/or fenders.

The larger selection of 700c tires is certainly a convenience, but not really "compelling," as long as there are lots of decent choices in the 27" size. And there are. A compelling reason to keep the 27s is you really like your short reach brakes and want to keep the bike as original as possible, and they won't reach down to 700c.

Having said that, many bikes came with brakes that fit both 27s and also 700c with a raising and lowering of the brake pads. But many others also cannot. It helps to check before you buy, maybe borrow a pair of 700c rims off another bike and test fit? I've got a half dozen bikes that fit either one without changing the brakes, and a half dozen or more loose wheelsets to swap in and out as desired, so they get changed around lot. All things being equal (ie: the brakes on the bike work on both sizes), I'd go for the 700c rims for convenience. But I don't feel compelled to to do so

burnfingers

as a tall guy I love 27s! riding 700c always makes me feel a little self conscious, like I'm riding an undersized frame lol

with eBay and amazon there are plenty of decent tires available, and they are cheap af too because it's not a popular size these days. The one thing I don't like is that most vintage alloy 27s tend to be a little flexy, particularly if you're over 200lbs... but modern spokes and/or hf hubs pretty much eliminate that so its not much of a con.

CliffordK

Thinking of sturdy 27" rims, it looks like Velocity has several models for sale.

Velocity Wheels - Hand Made in USA

Including the narrow Aero, and wider Synergy and Dyad.

I like the more aero profile rims (strong triangles), although lower profile rims may have a more vintage look.

rhm

I can't think of any reason not to use 27" wheels, assuming you have them and you have tires. Speaking for myself, I would not buy them, though; and I'd have misgivings about buying tires for the ones I still have.

That said, there are reasons to avoid rims that are made of softer aluminum alloys, rims without a hooked bead, and single wall rims, regardless of size. Whether you'd find those reasons compelling, I won't speculate.

Lazyass

27 inch wheels ride very smooth with a larger diameter. Kind of like the reason for MTB's going to 27.5's and 29's. As long as the Pasela is made I don't need a lot of tire choices. My Univega is bombproof and goes anywhere. Chipseal roads, gravel, fire roads, wherever. With a 27x1 1/4 tire you almost want to take it off road. And realistically, my average speed is no slower than on any other bike. I think a lot of people dismiss them because a lot of low end gaspipe bikes came with them, but there's lots of bikes with very nice frames that had them.

Bikerider007

Lazyass makes good points.

And if you want to keep your bike original and possibly brakes original, then stay at 27". As mentioned, Paselas on them with a wide rim make for a very nice setup.

SkyDog75

If you're going to replace your wheels...


Reasons to switch to 700c:

• Tire options. There are still decent tires available for 27" rims, but there's a wider variety of decent tires available in 700c.
• Since 700c rims have a 4 mm smaller radius, there's a little extra room for wider tires and/or fenders if desired.

Reasons not to switch to 700c:

• Since 700c rims have a 4 mm smaller radius, your original brakes might not reach the brake track. If that's the case, you'll need to replace the brakes, or use some kind of workaround like a drop bolt or offset pad holders.

oddjob2

+1 ^

So many repetitive posts in this forum are "what's the widest tire I can install on this 700c rim?" or "what is the max tire clearance in this frame?"

• 1.25" wide tires are 32mm, wide and cushiony enough for most applications.
• 90-95 PSI is comfortable too.
• 27" Paselas are usually a few bucks less expensive than 700c.

Lazyass

I weigh 170 and run mine at 60/70psi. Never had a single flat with them.

CliffordK

One point if one goes narrow... 1", or 1 1/8" is that many of the vintage rims are without hooks, especially if using steel.

So, building new wheels with new rims may be safer for high pressures.

Scarbo

I have them on my '72 Raleigh Super Course. They give a heck of a supple ride with Paselas on them. I don't feel the need to go to 700s like I have on my other bikes at all, and I guess I'll continue to use them until I can't buy tires for them anymore.

jefnvk

Can and have done so. Beyond anything that needs a straight up MTB, I've never felt uncomfortable on them.

As to why you'd convert, if you have a bike that take skinnier tires, 1-1/8" and 1" sizes in 27" are less common than even 1-1/4". My Peugeot won't fit 1-1/4" tires, and the only sportier thing I could find than Paselas in a name brand in the smaller sizes were Conti UltraSport II. It is getting 700c wheels when I get around to it.

crank_addict

What year is the Sekine SHT and any pics? Would've thought they came equipped with aluminum rims.

Anyways, more to your question. Used 700c wheelsets are far more plentiful than 27" and for the same price or possibly less. Also consider the greater variety of rims and likely better choice in quality, stronger, stiffer, etc..

But the big advantage of 700c is a better offering of tire type, sizes, weight. You're limited today on 27", yet many gravitate to fitting Pasella, bonus is price point.

Whatever you decide, just going to aluminum will be a dramatic improvement. Good luck

frameteam2003

I'm up-grading the Fothergill to 27" rims--and original 4 speed.

T-Mar

It does sound like a SHS/SHT frame but the wheels are wrong. The steel DNB hubs with steel rims were used on entry level models, like the SHA, SIA, etc. The mid-range SHS and SHT both used the Shimano 3.3.3 (aka Tourney), large flange, aluminum, QR hubs laced to Araya 27" aluminum rims. The SHT typically had a Crane rear derailleur, while the the SHS had the Titlist. However, the big difference was the crankset, with the SHS getting a swaged SR Silver and the SHT having a forged SR.

Another possibility is an RM-10 which replaced the SHS in the very late 1970s. Same frame as the SHS/SHT and a forged SR crankset but with a New Titlist rear derailleur. However, it also used Araya 27" aluminum rims, so the wheels would still be incorrect. You should post pictures and the serial number.

noglider 

That is exactly where I stand, too, and it's also a '72 (or maybe '71) Raleigh Super Course. The rims are Ukai. I built the wheels in about 1983. The rear rim has a low spot, and it's not terrible yet, so one of these days, I'll have to give them up, but not until I'm forced to.