Upgrading the wheelset on a 1983 Fuji conversion. I want to stick with 27" wheels for aesthetic reasons and also because I don't want to buy new brake calipers. (Both wheelsets use standard-issue Formula sealed-bearing hubs.)
These are the choices, both from Harris Cyclery.

• 27 inch Sun CR-18 Rim, Formula Sealed Cartridge Fixed/Free Hub, 32 or 36 Stainless Spokes; matching Front wheel: 27 inch Sun CR-18 Rim, Formula Sealed Cartridge Front Hub, 32 Stainless Spokes. The Sun CR-18 is a sturdy double-wall rim with eyelets, 22.5 mm wide (18.5 mm interior width.) $235 for the wheelset.

• 27 inch Weinmann RM19 Rim, Formula Sealed Cartridge Fixed/FreeHub, 32 Stainless Spokes; Matching Front wheel: 27 inch RM19 Rim, Formula Sealed Cartridge Hub, 32 Stainless Spokes. $150 for the wheelset.
The Weinmann RM19 is a single-wall rim with no eyelets, 25 mm wide (19 mm interior width.)

I'd guess the Sun wheelset is sturdier, but it's also $85 more. Is it worth it?

bk this really isn't the best idea, as you're gonna be stuck with a set of wheels that you can't do anything with but throw on another beater conversion. if you upgrade your frame you're gonna be SOL, cause they'll have no resale value.

i would be seriously thinking about a mercier, at not much more complete than the pricier wheelset.

serious man, don't do it. that's WAY too much to be spending on an old 10-speed

eddieb makes sense....however if you decide to stick with 27inch wheels, go with the sun rims if you plan on using the wheels for awhile. I have a pair of 27" CR18s built with surly hubs. Its a tough wheelset that has brought me nothing but satisfaction. Since then, I've built up other bikes with 700c wheels, but I keep an old conversion around with my 27" wheels for riding in the rain and what not.

Well, it's a nice lugged steel frame that fits me perfectly. It's got a decent Sugino crankset. I see the point about being stuck with 27" wheels, but I like this frame.

and to plus one back, yes, mihlbach is right. sun do make great, super-sturdy rims.

but i really wouldn't go spending $235 on an 83 Fuji

I converted a 1984 fuji recently, you can read my buildup here.

I totally agree with the others about going to 700 wheels, and ditching the 27's. The biggest reason being that you'll have a much larger selection of tires to choose from. For what its worth my stock brake calipers reach just fine (in front, I never tried the rear).

The advice about "don't use the frame" is BS; IMHO the bike snobbery on this forum is out of control. Sheldon brown puts the smack down here regarding track frames on the road.

However, if you want to be riding fixed as cheaply as possible just go to bikesdirect and get a Windsor for $300. If you do your conversion properly you will almost certainly spend well over $400. After all was said and done my Fuji was roughly $500, and I didn't spend crazy money on anodized testicles like so many of the excessive bikes you see on here.

Jeremy

this is 2007

700 man

not 27

Umm...Theres not a trace of snobbery on this thread, and no one said "don't use the frame". Sheldon's writing is full of useful knowledge, and good advice, but often tainted with retro-grouchery. You have to read it all with a grain of salt. What Sheldon's basically saying is that track frames aren't the most versatile of frames, which is true. But track frames are great on the street.

there is nothing wrong in sticking with 27" wheels. Considering the number of older bikes out there, its a pretty big stretch to say they will be useless or have no resale value should they outlive your current frame.

I put a used set of 27" touring wheels on my old campus bike. They were supper stout, a perfect match for the frame, and both cheaper and stronger than if i had sprung for a new set of 700's. Harris cyclery has some of the few options out there for new, but if you hunt around on ebay you can get a nice set for a steal.

If you have the scroll and plan on doing a lot of miles or city riding on rough streets, then spring for the sun rims. I'd be leery of the single wall rims, only get them if you are broke and don't plan on ridding a lot since they will certainly be less durable..

The difference is tiny anyway, go with 700. You can hardly see the difference. It's only an 8 mm diameter difference, and only 4 mm at the brake calipers.

A 700c with fatter tires will look the same as a 27" with thin tires.

If you go 700c, you'll have an ocean of tires to choose from. If you go 27", you can get $5 ones at X-mart.

If you ever want something better than your old Fuji (which will inevitably happen if you enjoy riding your bike) you will be glad you bought 700c wheels.

Except that the tires will look fatter.

700C leaves you more choices of course, but you can get Panaracer Paselas and Continental Ultrasports, both good tires, in 27". I've used them both and recommend either.

Perhaps, unless you are satisfied with what you have, or if you just build up a whole new bike and keep the 27"er around for a rain-beater.

Just pointing out options