27" touring wheels

Pete A said:

Wonder if anyone can help ? Im looking at getting an old (1980's)
Dawes Galaxy, with 27" wheels. Want to do bike up (new gearing, 8
speed etc) but dont want expense of frame strip/repsray, so am looking
for anywhere that still supplies 27" touring wheels.

Any ideas ?

St John Street Cycles.

But a frame strip & respray wouldn't be necessary to convert to 700c
wheels, even if the bike has cantilever brakes. The brakes could be
swapped for deep-drop calipers if the blocks couldn't be lowered by 4mm.

~PB

Pete A said:

Wonder if anyone can help ? Im looking at getting an old (1980's)
Dawes Galaxy, with 27" wheels. Want to do bike up (new gearing, 8
speed etc) but dont want expense of frame strip/repsray, so am looking
for anywhere that still supplies 27" touring wheels.

Any ideas ?

My 1980s Raleigh originally had 27" wheels and now has 700c one. No frame
mods. required. Still has its original paint work though it is pretty tatty
now. The original centre pull brakes worked fine for years albeit not as
good as modern ones.

See my recent post (wheels without wheels ) asking about wheel changes
17" -> 700c

Lots of helpful advice.

It does occur to me that you might have trouble fitting an 8 speed cassette
to 27" wheels ...may need to go to 700cc if you want to do that ..?

Nick

"MSeries" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Pete A said:

Wonder if anyone can help ? Im looking at getting an old (1980's)
Dawes Galaxy, with 27" wheels. Want to do bike up (new gearing, 8
speed etc) but dont want expense of frame strip/repsray, so am looking
for anywhere that still supplies 27" touring wheels.

Any ideas ?

My 1980s Raleigh originally had 27" wheels and now has 700c one. No frame
mods. required. Still has its original paint work though it is pretty

tatty

Quoted message said:

now. The original centre pull brakes worked fine for years albeit not as
good as modern ones.

Nick said:

See my recent post (wheels without wheels ) asking about wheel changes
17" -> 700c

Lots of helpful advice.

It does occur to me that you might have trouble fitting an 8 speed
cassette to 27" wheels ...may need to go to 700cc if you want to do
that ..?

Nick

Chances are the original wheels are for screw on blocks rather than a
cassette. I have no idea if these are still available. Getting a modern
wheel (700c, cassette freehub) will give you more options. You may need to
get the frame 'spread' to accommodate the extra width, this can be done
carefully at home or by a frame builder. See Sheldon Browns site for
instructions. You might as well go to 9 if you can if you go down this route

Nick said:

It does occur to me that you might have trouble fitting an 8 speed
cassette to 27" wheels ...may need to go to 700cc if you want to do
that ..?

A new 27" wheel could be built with any hub (oneself, SJSC or a good local
shop can do this), though I'd recommend switching to 700c for sake of the
larger choice of rims and tyres, and to be able to use the wheels on a
future bike.

~PB

[email hidden] (Pete A) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Wonder if anyone can help ? Im looking at getting an old (1980's)
Dawes Galaxy, with 27" wheels. Want to do bike up (new gearing, 8
speed etc) but dont want expense of frame strip/repsray, so am looking
for anywhere that still supplies 27" touring wheels.

Any ideas ?

Go 700c for the future-proofing? It's, what, around quarter of an inch
radius difference? Brakes from that period can make the extra drop,
usually, as can some modern ones.

AFAIK you can't get halfway decent 27" rims any more - there were none
around when I needed a rear wheel in a hurry five/six years ago.
Though probably somebody here can and will contradict me. Tubes and
tyres, still available.

As Nick said, the rear hub might not accept 8 at the back - and if
it's early 80s it might be for a screw-on freewheel rather than a
cassette. Just like my 80s Holdsworth. And I understand that there
could be availability issues with 8 cassettes in the very near future,
if there aren't already.

Are the hubs so great they are worth saving, or are you doing this to
a very tight budget?

Lin

in message <[email hidden]>, Nick

('nickandoscar@REMOVE THIS TO REPLYtiscali.co.uk') said:

See my recent post (wheels without wheels ) asking about wheel changes
17" -> 700c

Lots of helpful advice.

It does occur to me that you might have trouble fitting an 8 speed
cassette to 27" wheels ...may need to go to 700cc if you want to do
that ..?

You could always lace a 27" rim onto a modern hub. There's no technical
reason why you should not. This does not imply that I would recommend
it.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; I'll have a proper rant later, when I get the time.

"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Nick said:

It does occur to me that you might have trouble fitting an 8 speed
cassette to 27" wheels ...may need to go to 700cc if you want to do
that ..?

A new 27" wheel could be built with any hub (oneself, SJSC or a good local
shop can do this), though I'd recommend switching to 700c for sake of the
larger choice of rims and tyres, and to be able to use the wheels on a
future bike.

~PB

Thanks for all the replies. Didnt realise that it is possible to fit
700c wheels in place of 27" ones - the bike has centre pull brakes, so
is it just a case of adjusting brake shoe positions ?

Im also looking at replacing the chainset & bottom bracket - any
advice or websites that outline how I go about doing this ? (it has a
old double chainset, non indexed I assume, so Ive managed to pick up a
cheapish old deore lx 7/8 speed one to replace it with).

Are headsets best left to LBS to replace ? How can I tell whether it
is 1" or 1 1/8" sizing on headset ?

Pete.

Pete A said:

Thanks for all the replies. Didnt realise that it is possible to fit
700c wheels in place of 27" ones - the bike has centre pull brakes, so
is it just a case of adjusting brake shoe positions ?

With a bit of luck, yes. Sometimes the brake(s) have to be replaced if
the slots aren't long enough.

Quoted message said:

Im also looking at replacing the chainset & bottom bracket - any
advice or websites that outline how I go about doing this ? (it has a
old double chainset, non indexed I assume, so Ive managed to pick up a
cheapish old deore lx 7/8 speed one to replace it with).

url:http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml#bottom%20bracket

Assuming the cranks take a square taper type bottom bracket (the
traditional type), a Shimano UN73 bottom bracket (from Chain Reaction)
would be good. Probably the shortest spindle (axle) that Shimano
recommend for the cranks will be suitable.

Tools required:

url:http://www.mwdyason.ltd.uk/shop.asp?no_category=23&text_company=TOOLS

- Crank Remover.

- Bottom Bracket Tool. Tacx make better BB tools but this is much cheaper
and adequate; a rear quick release wheel skewer with some spacers can be
used to prevent slipping if BB spindle is hollow.

Quoted message said:

Are headsets best left to LBS to replace ?

You could Bodge It Yourself but I think it's best left to LBS unless
investing in proper (ie. expensive) tools.

Quoted message said:

How can I tell whether it
is 1" or 1 1/8" sizing on headset ?

That size is the fork steerer tube outer diameter. It's bound to be 1" if
it's an old bike, especially if threaded (traditional) type. You could
remove the headset locknut to measure.

~PB

in message <[email hidden]>, Pete A

(') said:

"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Nick said:

It does occur to me that you might have trouble fitting an 8 speed
cassette to 27" wheels ...may need to go to 700cc if you want to do
that ..?

A new 27" wheel could be built with any hub (oneself, SJSC or a good
local shop can do this), though I'd recommend switching to 700c for
sake of the larger choice of rims and tyres, and to be able to use
the wheels on a future bike.

Thanks for all the replies. Didnt realise that it is possible to fit
700c wheels in place of 27" ones - the bike has centre pull brakes, so
is it just a case of adjusting brake shoe positions ?

Unlikely. The next problem is axle width - modern axles are quite a bit
wider (130 mm I think), to cope with nine/ten speed cassettes. Of
course you could build up 700c wheels on your existing rims but if you
want to switch to modern standard wheels you will need to have your
frame 'cold set' (i.e. bent) to accept the wider axle.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

Morning had broken, and there was nothing left for us to do
but pick up the pieces.

On Mon, 01 Nov 2004 19:35:03 GMT, Simon Brooke <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Unlikely. The next problem is axle width - modern axles are quite a bit
wider (130 mm I think), to cope with nine/ten speed cassettes. Of
course you could build up 700c wheels on your existing rims but if you

do you mean "on your existing hubs"?

--
Warning: This user suffers from narcolepppppppppp
ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp

Simon Brooke said:

Quoted message said:

Didnt realise that it is possible to fit
700c wheels in place of 27" ones - the bike has centre pull brakes,
so is it just a case of adjusting brake shoe positions ?

Unlikely.

Oh let's be optimistic please :-) We're only talking about 4mm.

A bit of filing helps if only 3mm lower is possible with the brake as it
is.

~PB

in message <[email hidden]>, Richard Bates

(') said:

On Mon, 01 Nov 2004 19:35:03 GMT, Simon Brooke <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Unlikely. The next problem is axle width - modern axles are quite a
bit wider (130 mm I think), to cope with nine/ten speed cassettes. Of
course you could build up 700c wheels on your existing rims but if you

do you mean "on your existing hubs"

**blast**

Yes, of course, I do. Thanks for the correction.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

'You cannot put "The Internet" into the Recycle Bin.'

in message <[email hidden]>, Pete Biggs

(') said:

Simon Brooke said:

Quoted message said:

Didnt realise that it is possible to fit
700c wheels in place of 27" ones - the bike has centre pull brakes,
so is it just a case of adjusting brake shoe positions ?

Unlikely.

Oh let's be optimistic please :-) We're only talking about 4mm.

A bit of filing helps if only 3mm lower is possible with the brake as
it is.

Sorry, I wasn't talking about the problem at the rims, which is indeed
solvable as you suggest. The other problem is the hubs, which is also
solvable. Just a bit trickier.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
There's nae Gods, an there's precious few heroes
but there's plenty on the dole in th Land o th Leal;
And it's time now, tae sweep the future clear o
th lies o a past that we know wis never real.

[email hidden] (Lin) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (Pete A) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Wonder if anyone can help ? Im looking at getting an old (1980's)
Dawes Galaxy, with 27" wheels. Want to do bike up (new gearing, 8
speed etc) but dont want expense of frame strip/repsray, so am looking
for anywhere that still supplies 27" touring wheels.

Any ideas ?

Go 700c for the future-proofing? It's, what, around quarter of an inch
radius difference? Brakes from that period can make the extra drop,
usually, as can some modern ones.

AFAIK you can't get halfway decent 27" rims any more - there were none
around when I needed a rear wheel in a hurry five/six years ago.
Though probably somebody here can and will contradict me. Tubes and
tyres, still available.

As Nick said, the rear hub might not accept 8 at the back - and if
it's early 80s it might be for a screw-on freewheel rather than a
cassette. Just like my 80s Holdsworth. And I understand that there
could be availability issues with 8 cassettes in the very near future,
if there aren't already.

Are the hubs so great they are worth saving, or are you doing this to
a very tight budget?

Lin

Am working to a very tight budget - cheap as I can manage !! Have
managed to get 7/8 speed new deore lx chainset off ebay & suntour
front mech for £20. So, all I need to do now is work out how to start
major jobs, eg replacing chainset & bottom bracket - think I should
invest in a bike maintenance book to help !!!

Pete A.

On 2 Nov 2004 07:18:22 -0800, [email hidden] (Pete A)

Quoted message said:

Am working to a very tight budget - cheap as I can manage !! Have
managed to get 7/8 speed new deore lx chainset off ebay & suntour
front mech for £20. So, all I need to do now is work out how to start
major jobs, eg replacing chainset & bottom bracket - think I should
invest in a bike maintenance book to help !!!

If you're on a tight budget then there's no need to buy a book at all,
there is excellent advice on bike mech'ing available for free on the
web.

The Park Tools site is a great resource:

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml

You can scroll down to select the section you need, or just click on
the appropriate bit of the bike to be shown the topics associated with
that component.

Sheldon (of course) also has great instructions on many jobs:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/articles.html

The specific jobs you mention (replacing chainset and BB) are actually
pretty straightforward. They are covered very well by Park and if you
could manage playing with Meccano as a boy you'll have no trouble
tackling them yourself 🙂

People here will be happy to chip in with advice and help if you find
something you aren't quite sure about, so shout up if you feel the
need.

You're going to need a couple of specific tools for the jobs you have
in mind, namely a crank extractor and BB tool/socket. These are
available cheaply and post free from Mike Dyason:

http://www.mwdyason.ltd.uk/shop.asp?no_category=23&text_company=TOOLS

Good luck.
--

"Bob"

'The revolution is just a T shirt away'

Email address is spam trapped.
To reply directly remove the beverage.

Call me Bob said:

You're going to need a couple of specific tools for the jobs you have
in mind, namely a crank extractor and BB tool/socket. These are
available cheaply and post free from Mike Dyason:

or if you happen to live around north Birmingham, you can borrow them
for free! Drop me an email if you are local (put the word "richard"
before the at sign)

--
Warning: This user suffers from narcolepppppppppp
ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp

Richard Bates <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Call me Bob said:

You're going to need a couple of specific tools for the jobs you have
in mind, namely a crank extractor and BB tool/socket. These are
available cheaply and post free from Mike Dyason:

or if you happen to live around north Birmingham, you can borrow them
for free! Drop me an email if you are local (put the word "richard"
before the at sign)

Cheers ! Thanks for all the previous advice - would like to give it a
go myself, also save labour charges. May well take you up on the offer
of borrowing the tools !!

Pete.