An old bike with modern wheels?
12-21-07, 07:31 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Brooklyn
Posts: 262
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
An old bike with modern wheels?
I have a bike fundamentally similar to the Miyata Professional in this article:
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/...ge+02.jpg.html
It's all first generation Dura-Ace, with essentially all original parts except for the wheels, which are just unexceptional old 27" fat things. It's my primary road bike, and I'll probably even try doing some collegiate racing on it, so I'd like to get some better wheels. Old road wheels would be fine for it, but I haven't happened upon any. Would it be practical to install modern wheels on it? I'm pretty sure modern wheels would be of a wider OLD, but I could cold-set it. The real concern is that I'm running a 6-speed freewheel on it, and wheels designed for 8 or 9 or 10 speeds would be trouble in that department. Do they make 6 speed cassettes? If not, could I use the '70's Crane derailleur, or would I need to find one designed for more cogs? In that case, would the bar-end shifter I'm using still work?
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/...ge+02.jpg.html
It's all first generation Dura-Ace, with essentially all original parts except for the wheels, which are just unexceptional old 27" fat things. It's my primary road bike, and I'll probably even try doing some collegiate racing on it, so I'd like to get some better wheels. Old road wheels would be fine for it, but I haven't happened upon any. Would it be practical to install modern wheels on it? I'm pretty sure modern wheels would be of a wider OLD, but I could cold-set it. The real concern is that I'm running a 6-speed freewheel on it, and wheels designed for 8 or 9 or 10 speeds would be trouble in that department. Do they make 6 speed cassettes? If not, could I use the '70's Crane derailleur, or would I need to find one designed for more cogs? In that case, would the bar-end shifter I'm using still work?
12-21-07, 07:50 PM
#2
Dolce far niente
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 10,704
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
14 Posts
Your best bet is to find a good set of 6/7sp vintage 700c wheels. Check eBay, there are a few there. I might even be able to scrounge up a set for you - I've got at least 3 or 4 hanging around somewhere.
__________________
"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
12-21-07, 09:12 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 541
Bikes: Formerly...1978 Proteus, 1981 Miyata 912, 1983 Schwinn Paramount, 1962 Raleigh Sports Deluxe, 1976 Alan Super Record.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
NOS hubs do show up on eBay, you can always have them built up onto Open Pros or something.
12-21-07, 10:23 PM
#4
Dolce far niente
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 10,704
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
14 Posts
That's a good idea. Heck - if your existing hubs are decent, have them laced to new rims.
__________________
"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
12-22-07, 12:53 AM
#5
stringbreaker
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: wa. State
Posts: 4,463
Bikes: specialized crossroads hybrid 2006 Raleigh Cadent 2 1971 Schwinn Varsity, 1972 Schwinn Continental, 1977 Schwinn Volare (frame)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I'm using open pros on my volare build with NOS Suntour VX in 700c so its doable if the brakes will adjust enough
__________________
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
12-22-07, 08:59 AM
#6
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,793
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1390 Post(s)
Liked 1,322 Times
in
835 Posts
Assuming your brake calipers have long enough slots to permit you to lower your brake pads by 4mm, I recommend converting to 700C. I am also a huge fan of good old-fashioned 32- or 36-spoke lacing, in a cross-3 pattern (actually, either cross-3 or cross-4 with 36 spokes).
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
12-22-07, 12:59 PM
#7
hunter, gatherer
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,183
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
if your rear spacing is currently 126mm you won't need to make any changes or modifications to fit a modern 130mm wheel, and friction shifting over the 8/9/10sp cassette should be no problem
