Loaded paniers buckling wheel?

jgerard,
I also commute on an old bike with steel 27 inch rims and panniers. I try not to spend ANY money on my commuter, parts for these bikes are everywhere, you just have to know where to look. Here's what I do.

Your rear dropout spacing is probably 120 or 126mm, take a measurement. Modern bikes have 130mm and 135mm spacing. You can find new steel and alloy wheels to fit your spacing, if you look, but you'll have to BUY them.

Instead, re-cycle.
Try the local town dump or recycling center, or wherever old bikes go to die in your town. You might find a pile of bikes with 27 inch steel wheels that are just fine, maybe a little rusty. The alloy rims won't have rust on them, these are great finds.

Count the cogs in back. If its 5 or 6 its probably 120mm, 7 cogs is 126mm.

A more upscale solution is to visit a few garage sales (in the summer) or swap shops in town. A few dollars will buy you a lifetime of replacement bikes and parts for this vintage.

The weight is no problem if the wheel is in good shape.

Good Luck.
Paul.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by god
jgerard,
I also commute on an old bike with steel 27 inch rims and panniers. I try not to spend ANY money on my commuter, parts for these bikes are everywhere, you just have to know where to look. Here's what I do.

Your rear dropout spacing is probably 120 or 126mm, take a measurement. Modern bikes have 130mm and 135mm spacing. You can find new steel and alloy wheels to fit your spacing, if you look, but you'll have to BUY them.

Instead, re-cycle.
Try the local town dump or recycling center, or wherever old bikes go to die in your town. You might find a pile of bikes with 27 inch steel wheels that are just fine, maybe a little rusty. The alloy rims won't have rust on them, these are great finds.

Count the cogs in back. If its 5 or 6 its probably 120mm, 7 cogs is 126mm.

A more upscale solution is to visit a few garage sales (in the summer) or swap shops in town. A few dollars will buy you a lifetime of replacement bikes and parts for this vintage.

The weight is no problem if the wheel is in good shape.

Good Luck.
Paul.

Paul's suggestions are all very good.
You might be able to use a 700C rear wheel if your brakes will reach.
When looking at replacement wheels you can also consider that a wider OLD (over locknut dimension), especially in a 6/7 speed, could give better spoke support.
You would need to spread your rear triangle, in that event. You can take a look at the process on Sheldon Brown's site URL:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html
Use as fat tires as your frame will allow to help absorb the shock.
Make sure your spokes are properly and evenly tensioned, as well as being stress relieved.
When selecting a replacement wheel, look for more spokes and a strong true rim to start with.