27" wheeled canti touring bike: wheel size prevent you from buying?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: santa barbara CA
Posts: 1,076
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 82 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times
in
12 Posts
27" wheeled canti touring bike: wheel size prevent you from buying?
Wondering how many of you would buy a nice vintage 27" wheeled tourer with cantis, would wheel size alone be a deal breaker? 27" tires are still available but sizes are limited(Panracer Paselas for example). Cantis most likely won't be able to accommodate 700 wheels, although I believe they will work in a very few instances. What are your thoughts?
regards, Brian
PS Moderators , I mistakenly posted this in the Clydes/Athena forum first so if needed please delete that one.
regards, Brian
PS Moderators , I mistakenly posted this in the Clydes/Athena forum first so if needed please delete that one.
__________________
Brian
Brian
#2
Senior Member
Wondering how many of you would buy a nice vintage 27" wheeled tourer with cantis, would wheel size alone be a deal breaker? 27" tires are still available but sizes are limited(Panracer Paselas for example). Cantis most likely won't be able to accommodate 700 wheels, although I believe they will work in a very few instances. What are your thoughts?
By that time bikes were already living in a transitional world.
Nothing wrong with Paselas anyway. Much better than any clincher tires from the C&V days.
#3
Senior Member
A good wheel is a good wheel - right ? Don't get caught up in the "need" to update. If you're paranoid, have an extra set of tires on hand.
#4
Banned
No but bring an extra tire on tour, just in case...

Basically, why stay home until you have the perfect bike .. ? ..
...

Basically, why stay home until you have the perfect bike .. ? ..
...
#5
Dilberteur at large
Just think out what you want to do with the bike.
The biggest issue with many (most?) vintage 27" cantilever brake bikes is the limitation on tire size. The front braze-ons were typically too close together vs the cantilever spec's, and were too short for most brake pads to open up past the fork blades. If you want to ride a wider tire, you have to deflate the wheel to take it on or off.
The biggest issue with many (most?) vintage 27" cantilever brake bikes is the limitation on tire size. The front braze-ons were typically too close together vs the cantilever spec's, and were too short for most brake pads to open up past the fork blades. If you want to ride a wider tire, you have to deflate the wheel to take it on or off.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,897
Mentioned: 562 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3770 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,182 Times
in
879 Posts
Instead on cantilevers, you could always update to V-brakes , which use the same studs and typically have a wider pad height adjustment range. That should allow you to run 700C and provide better braking too. Win-win.
#7
Senior Member
I wouldn't blink an eye if I happened upon a nice vintage touring bike with 27" wheels. There are enough good tire options having adequate width including Paselas and Schwalbe for a more rugged tire. I currently have a Cannondale ST400, a Miyata 1000, and a Schwinn Voyageur still running with 27" wheels and I have no desire to swap them out.
__________________
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 18,139
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 156 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4969 Post(s)
Liked 1,461 Times
in
969 Posts
The posts tend to be narrower on vintage bikes than modern ones. I know that can be an issue with modern cantilevers (they sometimes don't work on vintage bikes) but I have never tried installing a v brake on a vintage bike.
#9
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 39,800
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 484 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6816 Post(s)
Liked 1,426 Times
in
908 Posts
Words of wisdom!
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#10
Senior Member
I’m running the Panaracer Sand Canyon 35 mm tires (with fenders!) on my Miyata 1000 with 27” wheels. Nice comfy ride! I do have to deflate the rear tire to take the wheel off, but that’s certainly not a deal breaker. I kind of enjoy rolling along on the big wheels. The only drawback is that I have a tiny bit of toe overlap with my small (19 1/2”) frame.


#11
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 39,800
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 484 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6816 Post(s)
Liked 1,426 Times
in
908 Posts
Toe overlap isn't such a bad thing. I have it on all of my bikes because I put my cleats way back on my shoes and I have clown feet.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#12
Senior Member
Cantis were developed in the 1930s if memory serves. I'd love to find a 1930s bike with cantis and 27" wheels!
#13
D. Pate
I was able to get some Mavic semi-aero 700’s on an old Nishiki Cresta GT. It was pretty close but I got them working pretty well. I am running 32’s without having to deflate to remove. I tried Vbrakes but I could only get one to line up properly. It has been years now but I think the issue with the Vbrake was in the front.
#15
Death fork? Naaaah!!
__________________
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
#16
7-speed cultist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 20,093
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers)
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2792 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times
in
517 Posts

#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, UK
Posts: 370
Bikes: Gitane Course, Paris Sport, Peugeot AO8, Peugeot Bretagne, Peugeot Premiere, Peugeot ANC Halfords Team Replica, Peugeot Festina Team Replica, Motobecane Grand Sport, Motobecane Super 15, Raleigh Pro Race, Raleigh Stratos, BSA
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 91 Post(s)
Liked 208 Times
in
57 Posts
I would love a canti-braked tourer; a Peugeot Dordogne or Bretagne are right at the top of my "want it now" list. Tyre size really isn't an issue as there are plenty of choices out there. My BSA is on 27 inch wheels - not a problem at all, and I've recently reshod it with Contis.
#18
Eccentric Old Man
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: BelleVegas, IL
Posts: 652
Bikes: 1986 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1979 Schwinn Traveler III, Trek T100, 1995 Trek 970, Fuji America
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 202 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 70 Times
in
38 Posts
Came with 630 (27'') wheels.
Fits 622 x 40. Stock brakes adjusted fine.
Fits 622 x 40. Stock brakes adjusted fine.

__________________
Email please, thatbikedude at yahoo dot com
PMs are a pain.
eom
Email please, thatbikedude at yahoo dot com
PMs are a pain.
eom
#19
Senior Member
#20
Senior Member
My Schwinn Voyageur has its original Araya 27" wheels in very good shape and true as I've ever seen since it had a good going through a year ago. I've got the Panaracer Pasela tires, but there are other tires available that fit, like Gatorskins. For this year I'll be doing a bunch of three or four day tours, and I am fully confident. I plan on a cross-Korea from Incheon to Busan tour in the next few years with the Voyageur, and also a continental US trip from Vancouver to Boston once the Great American Rail Trail is a bit more established and time / money allows. That along with a copycat trip of antman5000's trip down the West Coast. I'll carry spare tires and tubes. Based on others' experience, I may upgrade to the Panaracer PT since the regular wire bead tires seem prone to punctures or premature wall failure (not my experience thus far). I'm thinking of replacing the Jagwire pads with Kool-Stops for the canti brakes.
#21
Thrifty Bill
Wrong premise imho. I’ve put 700c wheels on several vintage touring bikes without a problem. Yes there are some vintage tourers where that swap doesn’t work like the Raleigh Aleyeska (sp).
#22
Ride.Smile.Repeat
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 2,863
Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 787 Post(s)
Liked 497 Times
in
356 Posts
I’m running the Panaracer Sand Canyon 35 mm tires (with fenders!) on my Miyata 1000 with 27” wheels. Nice comfy ride! I do have to deflate the rear tire to take the wheel off, but that’s certainly not a deal breaker. I kind of enjoy rolling along on the big wheels. The only drawback is that I have a tiny bit of toe overlap with my small (19 1/2”) frame.



#23
Over forty victim of Fate
Nope. I bought - and then passed along - a too-tall-for-me Miyata 1000, and already have a '84 Univega Gran Tourismo (pretty much equivalent to a Miyata 610). Both have 27" wheels and canti brakes. Two of my other three road bikes also roll on 27" wheels. So am I afraid of 27s? Nope. In fact, I only have one road bike with 700c, and I have 'wide' 28s on that one.
__________________
'75 Fuji S-10S bought new, 52k+ miles and still going!
'84 Univega Gran Tourismo
'84 Univega Viva Sport
'86 Miyata 710
'90 Schwinn Woodlands
Unknown brand MTB of questionable lineage aka 'Mutt Trail Bike'
Plus or minus a few others from time-to-time
'75 Fuji S-10S bought new, 52k+ miles and still going!
'84 Univega Gran Tourismo
'84 Univega Viva Sport
'86 Miyata 710
'90 Schwinn Woodlands
Unknown brand MTB of questionable lineage aka 'Mutt Trail Bike'
Plus or minus a few others from time-to-time
#24
Senior Member
Is the Univega Specialissma a quality Touring bike?

#25
Abuse Magnet
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,716
Bikes: '91 Mtn Tek Vertical, '74 Raleigh Sports, '72 Raleigh Twenty, '84 Univega Gran Turismo, '09 Surly Karate Monkey, '92 Burley Rock-n-Roll
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 98 Post(s)
Liked 34 Times
in
19 Posts
I rebuilt a 1984 Univega Gran Turismo with 27" wheels. 700C wheels won't work at all, given the position of the canti posts.
The 27" wheels aren't a deal breaker. The tire selection is more limited, yes, but there's still good choices available.
The 27" wheels aren't a deal breaker. The tire selection is more limited, yes, but there's still good choices available.