emarg0ed

I'm in the middle of restoring an '83 Trek 520 and having problems finding a decent new wheelset to put on it. I'm sticking w/ the 27" wheel size (don't feel like spacing the frame, changing the drivetrain, etc.), and am planning on using this for light and loaded touring.

The best thing I've been able to find so far are these Weinmann wheels from Harris Cyclery. I'm wondering if anyone knows of other places online I could find some good new 27" wheels? I'd like something of a higher quality than these Weinmann's if possible.

Any leads would be helpful. Custom wheels would work, or if anyone knows of some pre-built ones, that works too. Thanks all

Doug64

I wouldn't discount the Weimann rims too quickly. I laced up a pair of clincher wheels about 35 years ago for training using Weimann rims, butted spokes and Normandy hubs. Sew-ups were too expensive to train on. The wheels were ridden hard and I had no prblems with them. They were used on several loaded tours. I finally destroyed the front wheel in a crash, which also totalled several other major components. The quality may have been better back then, but maybe not. I've never had any issues with those wheels. Restoring the bike has been a project for me.

When I get home, I'll see if there is a model number on the back wheel

Omiak

I know that velocity dyad rims come in a 27" variety.

emarg0ed

thanks and thanks to both of you. the Weinmanns don't look horrible or anything..it's just that the selection is very limited, and I wasn't sure if there was much else out there for the old 27-ers..

SweetLou

Velocity also makes the Synergy in 27". It's not as strong as the Dyad, but it does come in 32 and 36 hole variations whereas the Dyad only comes in 48 hole rims. Trying to find a 48 hole freewheel hub could be difficult.

foodman

Have you considered building up some 700c wheels using your existing hubs. I don't think there will be any issues with replacing any other parts. Another benefit of going this route is that you will have access to a wide range of tires - which are probably the most important part of a touring rig. Just make sure you have room to lower your brake pads with respect to the 27" rims. 700c are slightly smaller and you should make sure the pads will be able to be adjusted properly.

NoReg

I don' t know if it remains the case this year, but Walmart used to carry a nice kevlar slick in their stores for 27" wheels, the ideal resulpply option. In fact there are far more 27 options than 700c in the field. Not so many uber quality tires, as mentioned. I like the idea of a 27" touring bike. It has a nice nostalgia factor, and it takes the big wheel theory up a notch.

Chop61

I'm in the middle of getting an old fuji up to snuff for some touring and decided to go with those very wheels. The folks at Harris said that set should be ok for touring, if you're not overloaded. They arrived true with very even tension and I gotta say the hubs are like butter.

My other alternative, if we go with some more loaded touring, is to build my own with a 7 speed Phil Wood Hub and some Sun rims.

emarg0ed

foodman: i would consider it if my current hubs weren't crap

Chop61: thanks a lot, it's nice to hear from someone who has these wheels. i'm a bit of an ultralite-er by heart, so i doubt i'll ever truly be overloaded. sounds like these just might work.

positron

I dont know what "etc." means, but the two reasons you DID cite for 27 vs 700c are completely irrelevant... the diameter of the wheel will not make you respace your frame, nor will it affect your drivetrain compatibility. simply put: these are entirely unrelated issues that matter not when choosing the rim diameter.

the answer is: if building new, build 700c for tire selection. If you want 27" (and that is perfectly fine...) then look for a good set of used wheels that someone is selling for pennies because they are modernizing to 700c for tire selection.

Chop61

The OP doesn't say but I'll bet he's dealing with a 7 or 6--prolly not an 8. Try finding new 700c wheels with 126mm hubs. (of course you can have them built-Phil Wood makes a bee-yoo-tiful hub) I tried squeezing in a modern 130 hub into the fuji, too much hassle. Didn't want to use a 2x4 either. The Diameter of the wheel won't make you respace the frame...but the hub might!

emarg0ed

Oops. What Chop61 said is exactly what I meant..sorry. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this old wheel size. Didn't realize I could get a 700c wheel w/ a 126mm hub. No idea why I never realized this Thanks for the input though

vosyer

I have 3 tour bikes currently - my favorite is a 1969 Schwinn Paramount and I overcame the 27 inch wheel issue using long reach brakes and a drop bolt for the back rear tire. By the way spreading the rear is know big deal and it gives you a whole bunch of wheel option with 700c