Originally Posted by
iamacat
Any recommendations for frames/forks that'll work? I would like a Surly (or something else designed for this purpose) for sure but wanted to see if I could save some money by fixing up an older bike.
None I know specifically except perhaps an old touring frame like a Trek 520. I do know that many older frames, even if originally fitted with 27", wheels don't gain a lot of tire clearance by going to 700c wheels. I had a '84 Trek 400 I bought used in the late '90's. It came OEM with 27x1-1/8 (630-28) tires and barely cleared fenders. I changed the wheel to 700c with 700-23 tires and obtained good fender clearance but it still wouldn't clear tires much larger than 700-28 with adequate fender clearance.
Frankly, by the time you spend the money and effort retrofitting an old frame, something substantially more suitable and modern won't cost much more.