VeloLisa

First of all I'd like to thank everyone who responded to my initial post about my new Paramount. I really appreciate it! There are so many nice folks in this section of BF. I've even got a derailleur on the way from a fellow BF member.

Now I need to turn my attention to the wheels and tires. I picked up the original rear wheel and it feels like a boat anchor! I was thinking that I'd like to get some alloy rims to save a bit of weight. I'm also still considering using 700c wheels, in which case I already have a spare pair I'm not using. At any rate, I have a few questions on what to do about wheels. The way I see it I have three options:

1) Have the original rear wheel re-built and live with the weight. And since I'm sure the original rim doesn't have a "lip", I may be limited on choice of tires and have to run a lower psi?

2) If I decide to stay with 27 inch but get alloy rims, does it make sense to use the original Campy hubs or would I be better off getting a complete new wheelset? I'd like to try to stay as original as possible. The guy I bought the bike from says the original hubs are still in good condition.

3) Use the 700c wheels I have now. The 700c wheels currently have an Ultegra 9 speed cassette mounted. I know that I can't use the Ultegra cassette, but can I use the freewheel from the original wheel on the 700c wheel? Will I have to get a different freewheel and/or hub? If so, can I have the 700c wheels laced to my original Campy hubs? Are freewheels Shimano or Campy specific, or is it one size fits all?

I apologize for being so clueless. All this stuff is pretty new to me. Thanks in advance for any advice!

-Lisa

repechage

Try:

bradley@
americancyclery.com They are at 510 Frederick in the City

Bug Ed Litton in Port Richmond if you are East Bay or Velo Sport in Bizerkley

Bicycle Odessey in Saulsalito

Or if north UC Davis bike shop (Bike Barn?)

9 speed cassettes are not thread on freewheels, Use the Campagnolo hube, think everything through including tires, brake reach, use etc. Going to a shop will make the taks less problematic. I would repack the hubs no matter what, then you know they are perfect. Campagnolo hubs can last decades with little work.

cuda2k

See my comments below in bold:

This is the place to ask questions, and I've yet to find a C&V regular who isn't happy to help in any way they can.

bigbossman 

On #2, if the hubs are good I'd rebuild/use them and have a new wheelset built on them.

On #3, the 9 speed wheel won't fit in the rear triangle unless you have the bike cold set to accept it. This requires that someone spread the rear dropouts out (bend them) being careful to align it properly. Easily done by a good shop for relatively cheap, but if you wanna stay original.....

Also, the 9 speed wheel is a cassette hub, not a freewheel hub that the original freewheel requires. Cassettes drop on and have a locknut securing them, freewheels are threaded - apples and oranges.

rhenning

Lisa my 1974 Paramount 27 inch rims are alloy already and I can easily run 90 psi in the without problems. I doubt you weigh anywhere near what I do so that you shouldn't need more pressure that. One of the flaws new young riders get into is over inflated tires. Just because a tire has a maximum tire pressure doesn't mean you should inflate it to that number. The inflation should be more dependant on your weight and what you are using the bike for. I doubt you will find any hubs that are better than what those old Campy hubs were when cleaned, greased and adjusted properly. I wouldn't worry about the weight as my bike is the touring model and with bar end shifters, bottles and cages etc. on it is is still under 25 pounds. I suspect yours will weigh even less. Just enjoy the ride. Roger

bigbossman 

No, she cannot. Cassettes are "drop-on", freewheels are threaded onto the hub body.

EDIT: the post I was quoting seems to have disappeared......

iab

I have an original wheelset from 1960 and quite frankly it scares me to get on such old rims. I will keep the original rims more for show than anything else. It is very common for cyclists to have two sets of wheels, a training set and a race set. I am considering the originals as the traning set (their original quality dictates that) and I am building a race set to be my actual riding wheels (yeah, I know, defeats the purpose but I am not riding on 40+ year-old rims). You could consider the same. Keep the orignals for pictures and build a new set to ride. I got a great pair of GS 3-piece, high-flange hubs from Sammyboy and polished Mavic and Super Champion tubular rims to complete the wheels.

VeloLisa

Thanks, everyone. I understand a lot more know. I'm not liking the sound of spreading the rear drop-outs. Think I'll stick with 27 inch. I guess I'll start looking for some new rims, have my Campy hubs serviced and have the wheels built with the Campy hubs. Thanks so much for helping to give me some clarity on all this. I know it's not rocket science, but I was starting to get pretty confused. Thanks again!

bigbossman 

I know you'd like to keep it as original as possible, but were it mine and I was going to get new wheels built on the old hubs, I'd go 700c if the brakes could handle it. Sure, there are still decent tires for 27", but there are some amazingly great tires in 700c, along with an almost limitless selection. Michelin Pro Race 2's come to mind - they'll ride rings around any tire you can find in 27". Seriously.

Staying with 27" would make sense if you had a good set of wheels that were fully operational. But if you're going to build new one's, there is no good reason I can think of to limit yourself to what tires are available in 27".

VeloLisa

Yes, I would love to have the myriad of tire choices that 700c would offer, but I'm nervous about that whole "spreading" thing. I'd be willing to change out the original Campy brakes, if needed. Plus, it would give me a bit more standover room. I need a good LBS that has done this type of work on vintage bikes. I don't want to use the LBS I usually use for my newer bikes. I know there are a couple of guys around here in the Sacramento area. Any suggestions on a good LBS or independent wrench?

iab

I have got to agree with bigbossman, if you are going to get "new" wheels, don't limit yourself. The ones I am building certainly are not period correct but if you squint enough, they will look period correct.

iab

"Spreading" has to do with the hub and the freewheel, it has nothing to do with the diameter or type of rim. In general, 115mm=4-speed, 120mm=5-speed and 126mm=6- or 7-speed.

Basically, you need a 120mm hub with a 5-speed freewheel with a 700c rim, tubular or clincher for your bike. There are lots of options on ebay as we speak.

kemmer

Yep, if you build a set of wheels with your campy hubs and with new 700c rims you won't have to cold set the frame.

VeloLisa

Oh!! So, if I use my original hubs I don't need to worry about spreading? (It takes a while, but eventually I get it... )

cudak888 

^
What he says is true, however, do not discount the fact that there are equally nice tires available in 27".

My favorites for the vintage look are IRC Road Winner Duro II skinwalls in 27X1-1/4" (and 1-1/8"). I have a pair of 1-1/4s" on my Raleigh Alyeska tourer, and I must say they ride like butter - even under my 220lb weight:

https://www.amazon.com/Road-Winner-Du...sporting-goods

https://www.amazon.com/Road-Winner-Du...sporting-goods

They'd be a perfect compliment to your Paramount. I have the 700X28c variant of these IRCs on my own '61 Paramount, and I wouldn't have anything else on it:



Incedentally, I went with Araya 700Cs on my Paramount only as they were the only decent rims I had on hand when I built it.

Personally, I would suggest that you stick with 27"s when you build your wheelset up - however, I would suggest that you swap them for with aluminum hooked-bead 27" rims. Vintage hooked-bead Weinmann 27" alloy rims are not impossible to locate, and I would suggest you try shooting for a pair of those (or find a cheap donor bike that has them - the Schwinn Le Tours came with them). Be sure to check for the hooked bead, as Weinmann also made an identical box-pattern aluminum rim model without the hooked bead.

-Kurt

bigbossman 

Yes. Your original hubs already fit in the dropouts. If you use them, they will continue to do so....

bigbossman 

Kurt, I'm going to respectfully disagree with this recommendation. While there might be one or two tires that perform as well as, for example, the Michelin ProRace 2, the fact is that there is a MUCH bigger selection and variation of tires available in 700c. Overwhelmingly bigger. And the 27" pool is guaranteed to shrink even further.

Using a good, existing set of 27" wheels is one thing. Building a new one for a bike that's going to see lots of miles is a horse of a different color. Besides, 700c tires/wheels were in use at the time this bike was built, so it would be "period correct". Even my 1974 Mondia came with 700c wheels.

Lisa, take those Campy hubs down to the bike kitchen and get someone to show you how to rebuild them - it's easy. All you need is some fresh grease, rags, and a couple of cone wrenches. Heck, if you're close to San Ramon bring 'em by and I'll show you (Bring Blankcrows and TIOS with you, and don't forget the beer and pizza).

Then take the hubs to a competent wheel builder and get them laced to some good 700c rims, slap some Michelin Pro Race 2's on, and you can look forward to regularly showing your taillight to your riding buddies.

You won't regret it..........

cuda2k

Just ensure that if you go with 700c you make sure that you have the brake reach to do it. I believe we mentioned this in the original thread about this beauty. 700c is 4mm smaller in radius than 27".

VeloLisa

Okay, you've convinced me! That's exactly what I'm going to do. Wish I was close to San Ramon. I'd take you up on your offer!

I just now put one of my extra 700c wheels on the front of the Paramount and the brakes seem to be fine. I'm assuming the rear one will be okay, too. Thanks again, guys, for all the advice.

well biked

Better check to make sure, the brake mount is often closer to the rim on the front than on the rear-

VeloLisa

Well, I'm going to take the bike in to the Bike Kitchen this weekend and have someone more knowledgeable than me take a look at it. I'm anxious to get everything done so I can ride that baby!