Affordable lighter steel road bikes with 27” wheels
#26
Edumacator
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Goose Creek, SC
Posts: 7,013
Bikes: '87 Crestdale, '87 Basso Gap, '92 Rossin Performance EL-OS, 1990 VanTuyl, 1980s Losa, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 1987 PX10, etc...
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2520 Post(s)
Liked 3,300 Times
in
2,070 Posts
Predominantly yes...
And I can say that when I converted the Trek Elance over to 700Cs, there was a bit more tire clearance. I think I put 28s on there with no issues.
The touring variety bicycles from the 70s/80s will fit even wider tires in the rear with 700s since you steal a bit of angle of the stays...but need longer reach brake calipers in the back... the big thing is if they have cantilevers, which limits you a bit.
Hopefully explained this right...
And I can say that when I converted the Trek Elance over to 700Cs, there was a bit more tire clearance. I think I put 28s on there with no issues.
The touring variety bicycles from the 70s/80s will fit even wider tires in the rear with 700s since you steal a bit of angle of the stays...but need longer reach brake calipers in the back... the big thing is if they have cantilevers, which limits you a bit.
Hopefully explained this right...
__________________
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North of Boston
Posts: 900
Bikes: 1973 Schwinn Sports Tourer plus a " few" more :)
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 211 Post(s)
Liked 199 Times
in
147 Posts
The first year Schwinn Prelude, I think 1985 has 27in wheels.
I have one.
VERY SMOOTH and LIGHTWEIGHT
You do not see these for sale that often though.....at least in my area.............
I have one.
VERY SMOOTH and LIGHTWEIGHT
You do not see these for sale that often though.....at least in my area.............
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Greenwood SC USA
Posts: 2,257
Bikes: 2002 Mercian Vincitore, 1982 Mercian Colorado, 1976 Puch Royal X, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1971 Gitane Tour de France and others
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 823 Post(s)
Liked 1,396 Times
in
694 Posts
The tire selection argument has always felt bogus to me. So long as Panaracer makes the Pasela, there is at least one good tire at least as good if not better than anything sold back during the heyday of 27-in wheels. There are a lot of tire widths I have no use for, tire colors that I would never use, and general marketing garbage I have learned to ignore. For non-competitive, non-extreme riding, 27 x 1 1/4 is an awesome tire size, especially with a decent tire. Ian Hibell rode all around the world on them, and so did many of the Rough Stuff Fellowship folks. It's a 32 mm wide tire that with a decently supple casing rolls very nicely.
I'm not entirely joking when I suggest that it's a tire size awaiting a 650B-esque renaissance. All that it needs is some marketing pizzazz and some coolio nickname. I propose The Dirty Six-Thirty, but I'm sure someone will come up with something equally inane when the time comes.
I understand the history - it was originally a Dunlop proprietary size built to compete with 700C, and while for many years it was THE performance wired-on tire in the Anglophone world, the whole globalization/standardization of 700C make the 622 more logical from a supply-chain perspective. On the other hand, there were millions and millions and MILLIONS of bikes sold with 27-in wheels, and someone is always going to market rubber and hopefully rims, because it's just too big a market to walk away from entirely.
My turning point came when I rode the Clunker Challenge a few years back on a '75 Motobecane Grand Touring with cheap IRC 27 x 1 1/4 tires at 70 psi to accommodate the vintage hookless rims. It was so smooth, and when I rode the same route the next day on a bike with 700 x 28s there was no appreciable difference in speed. I have been known to take advantage of the 27-inch-BAD fallacy - my full 531 Allegro was relatively cheap in part because the bike shop selling it assumed that 27-in wheels were entry level. They'd obviously never seen an early 70s Paramount.
I'm not entirely joking when I suggest that it's a tire size awaiting a 650B-esque renaissance. All that it needs is some marketing pizzazz and some coolio nickname. I propose The Dirty Six-Thirty, but I'm sure someone will come up with something equally inane when the time comes.
I understand the history - it was originally a Dunlop proprietary size built to compete with 700C, and while for many years it was THE performance wired-on tire in the Anglophone world, the whole globalization/standardization of 700C make the 622 more logical from a supply-chain perspective. On the other hand, there were millions and millions and MILLIONS of bikes sold with 27-in wheels, and someone is always going to market rubber and hopefully rims, because it's just too big a market to walk away from entirely.
My turning point came when I rode the Clunker Challenge a few years back on a '75 Motobecane Grand Touring with cheap IRC 27 x 1 1/4 tires at 70 psi to accommodate the vintage hookless rims. It was so smooth, and when I rode the same route the next day on a bike with 700 x 28s there was no appreciable difference in speed. I have been known to take advantage of the 27-inch-BAD fallacy - my full 531 Allegro was relatively cheap in part because the bike shop selling it assumed that 27-in wheels were entry level. They'd obviously never seen an early 70s Paramount.
#29
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 524
Bikes: 2015 Felt Z75 Disc, 2008 Fuji Cross Comp, 2010 Trek Navigator 1.0, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1974 Schwinn Le Tour, 1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour, Surly Cross Check, 2021 Giant Talon 2
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 206 Post(s)
Liked 71 Times
in
60 Posts
The tire selection argument has always felt bogus to me. So long as Panaracer makes the Pasela, there is at least one good tire at least as good if not better than anything sold back during the heyday of 27-in wheels. There are a lot of tire widths I have no use for, tire colors that I would never use, and general marketing garbage I have learned to ignore. For non-competitive, non-extreme riding, 27 x 1 1/4 is an awesome tire size, especially with a decent tire. Ian Hibell rode all around the world on them, and so did many of the Rough Stuff Fellowship folks. It's a 32 mm wide tire that with a decently supple casing rolls very nicely.
I'm not entirely joking when I suggest that it's a tire size awaiting a 650B-esque renaissance. All that it needs is some marketing pizzazz and some coolio nickname. I propose The Dirty Six-Thirty, but I'm sure someone will come up with something equally inane when the time comes.
I understand the history - it was originally a Dunlop proprietary size built to compete with 700C, and while for many years it was THE performance wired-on tire in the Anglophone world, the whole globalization/standardization of 700C make the 622 more logical from a supply-chain perspective. On the other hand, there were millions and millions and MILLIONS of bikes sold with 27-in wheels, and someone is always going to market rubber and hopefully rims, because it's just too big a market to walk away from entirely.
My turning point came when I rode the Clunker Challenge a few years back on a '75 Motobecane Grand Touring with cheap IRC 27 x 1 1/4 tires at 70 psi to accommodate the vintage hookless rims. It was so smooth, and when I rode the same route the next day on a bike with 700 x 28s there was no appreciable difference in speed. I have been known to take advantage of the 27-inch-BAD fallacy - my full 531 Allegro was relatively cheap in part because the bike shop selling it assumed that 27-in wheels were entry level. They'd obviously never seen an early 70s Paramount.
I'm not entirely joking when I suggest that it's a tire size awaiting a 650B-esque renaissance. All that it needs is some marketing pizzazz and some coolio nickname. I propose The Dirty Six-Thirty, but I'm sure someone will come up with something equally inane when the time comes.
I understand the history - it was originally a Dunlop proprietary size built to compete with 700C, and while for many years it was THE performance wired-on tire in the Anglophone world, the whole globalization/standardization of 700C make the 622 more logical from a supply-chain perspective. On the other hand, there were millions and millions and MILLIONS of bikes sold with 27-in wheels, and someone is always going to market rubber and hopefully rims, because it's just too big a market to walk away from entirely.
My turning point came when I rode the Clunker Challenge a few years back on a '75 Motobecane Grand Touring with cheap IRC 27 x 1 1/4 tires at 70 psi to accommodate the vintage hookless rims. It was so smooth, and when I rode the same route the next day on a bike with 700 x 28s there was no appreciable difference in speed. I have been known to take advantage of the 27-inch-BAD fallacy - my full 531 Allegro was relatively cheap in part because the bike shop selling it assumed that 27-in wheels were entry level. They'd obviously never seen an early 70s Paramount.
__________________
check out the Frugal Average Bicyclist
Frugal Average Bicyclist – The goal here is to help you keep cycling on a budget.
check out the Frugal Average Bicyclist
Frugal Average Bicyclist – The goal here is to help you keep cycling on a budget.
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,195
Mentioned: 483 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3824 Post(s)
Liked 6,789 Times
in
2,637 Posts
I sorta remember that when Jan Heine was first working with Panaracer to produce supple, wider tires, he queried the CR list to gauge interest in 27” versions. Went over like a lead balloon.
#31
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: ETX/ SNH
Posts: 225
Bikes: 2011 Handsome/ Twin Six Speedy Devil, 2006 Soma Groove, 1991 Haro Impulse Comp, 1987 KHS Montana Pro, 1986 Ross Mount Hood, 1986 Mongoose ATB, 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker I, 1973 World Voyageur, 1941 Schwinn DX "Klunker"
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Liked 96 Times
in
45 Posts
World voyageurs came with 27in wheels if you are lucky enough to find one for sale.
Likes For MrK.:
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Greenwood SC USA
Posts: 2,257
Bikes: 2002 Mercian Vincitore, 1982 Mercian Colorado, 1976 Puch Royal X, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1971 Gitane Tour de France and others
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 823 Post(s)
Liked 1,396 Times
in
694 Posts
I'm actually not too surprised. I've been a member of that list since it started, and I went to the very first Cirque when it was held in the parking lot of the old store - and there has always been a bias on that list towards the zippier, lighter, speedier, SPENDIER bikes. And 27-in has long been regarded as passe, which is too bad, really. I wouldn't say go out and build a new bike using it, but it's still a surprisingly versatile wheel size.
#33
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,653
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 85 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2609 Post(s)
Liked 1,709 Times
in
939 Posts
The tire selection argument has always felt bogus to me. So long as Panaracer makes the Pasela, there is at least one good tire at least as good if not better than anything sold back during the heyday of 27-in wheels. There are a lot of tire widths I have no use for, tire colors that I would never use, and general marketing garbage I have learned to ignore. For non-competitive, non-extreme riding, 27 x 1 1/4 is an awesome tire size, especially with a decent tire. Ian Hibell rode all around the world on them, and so did many of the Rough Stuff Fellowship folks. It's a 32 mm wide tire that with a decently supple casing rolls very nicely.
I'm not entirely joking when I suggest that it's a tire size awaiting a 650B-esque renaissance. All that it needs is some marketing pizzazz and some coolio nickname. I propose The Dirty Six-Thirty, but I'm sure someone will come up with something equally inane when the time comes.
I understand the history - it was originally a Dunlop proprietary size built to compete with 700C, and while for many years it was THE performance wired-on tire in the Anglophone world, the whole globalization/standardization of 700C make the 622 more logical from a supply-chain perspective. On the other hand, there were millions and millions and MILLIONS of bikes sold with 27-in wheels, and someone is always going to market rubber and hopefully rims, because it's just too big a market to walk away from entirely.
My turning point came when I rode the Clunker Challenge a few years back on a '75 Motobecane Grand Touring with cheap IRC 27 x 1 1/4 tires at 70 psi to accommodate the vintage hookless rims. It was so smooth, and when I rode the same route the next day on a bike with 700 x 28s there was no appreciable difference in speed. I have been known to take advantage of the 27-inch-BAD fallacy - my full 531 Allegro was relatively cheap in part because the bike shop selling it assumed that 27-in wheels were entry level. They'd obviously never seen an early 70s Paramount.
I'm not entirely joking when I suggest that it's a tire size awaiting a 650B-esque renaissance. All that it needs is some marketing pizzazz and some coolio nickname. I propose The Dirty Six-Thirty, but I'm sure someone will come up with something equally inane when the time comes.
I understand the history - it was originally a Dunlop proprietary size built to compete with 700C, and while for many years it was THE performance wired-on tire in the Anglophone world, the whole globalization/standardization of 700C make the 622 more logical from a supply-chain perspective. On the other hand, there were millions and millions and MILLIONS of bikes sold with 27-in wheels, and someone is always going to market rubber and hopefully rims, because it's just too big a market to walk away from entirely.
My turning point came when I rode the Clunker Challenge a few years back on a '75 Motobecane Grand Touring with cheap IRC 27 x 1 1/4 tires at 70 psi to accommodate the vintage hookless rims. It was so smooth, and when I rode the same route the next day on a bike with 700 x 28s there was no appreciable difference in speed. I have been known to take advantage of the 27-inch-BAD fallacy - my full 531 Allegro was relatively cheap in part because the bike shop selling it assumed that 27-in wheels were entry level. They'd obviously never seen an early 70s Paramount.
IMO- there's nothing better or worse about 630/27" as a wheel size compared to 622/700C. You can go on and on about the theoretical advantages and disadvantages of the wheel size- but they're so close they're effectively identical. At this point- the standard for wheel size has changed to 700C. Where you get into the difference is the tires.
Most of my bikes have 27" wheels. I almost made it a point of pride that I was running 27s. I changed a 700C bike to 27" to suit a set of brakes- and I was proud of that. I rode Paselas or Pasela TG or PT models and have one set of Sand Canyon tires. The one bike that I had that was 700C had Paselas on it. Around 4 years ago I decided to change to 700C on one of my bikes. I used Compass 35s. There was not just a noticeable difference... It was a full on different bike. It had nothing to do with the wheel size- it was all about the tire. As I get things more stabilized and settled in- I've been replacing 27s with 700C. And using good tires. Paselas are fine tires. But there's better. Much much better.
Until there's supple 27" tires with the options like there are for 700C- the 27" wheel is purely legacy.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#34
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 524
Bikes: 2015 Felt Z75 Disc, 2008 Fuji Cross Comp, 2010 Trek Navigator 1.0, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1974 Schwinn Le Tour, 1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour, Surly Cross Check, 2021 Giant Talon 2
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 206 Post(s)
Liked 71 Times
in
60 Posts
Anyone have an estimate of what years quality steel framed road bikes with 700 wheels would of been common?
__________________
check out the Frugal Average Bicyclist
Frugal Average Bicyclist – The goal here is to help you keep cycling on a budget.
check out the Frugal Average Bicyclist
Frugal Average Bicyclist – The goal here is to help you keep cycling on a budget.
#35
Not lost wanderer.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Lititz, Pa
Posts: 3,359
Bikes: In USA; 73 Raleigh Super Course dingle speed, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 72 Geoffry Butler, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 74 Gugie Grandier Sportier
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 890 Post(s)
Liked 1,021 Times
in
536 Posts
I have this Raleigh Record Ace from 80 with 27" wheels, full 531 Reynolds steel.
In the top pic it has Kenda 27x1 1/4 tires in the bottom pic it has the original Blumel fenders and 27x 1 3/8 tires I brought from Cambodia. it would be better with the 1 1/4 tires and the fenders or the 1 3/8 tires without.
Last edited by bwilli88; 06-02-21 at 05:03 PM.
Likes For bwilli88:
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,162
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2367 Post(s)
Liked 1,758 Times
in
1,197 Posts
While you're looking at shifters, also look for a frame with brazed-on mounts (instead of a band/clamp) for the downtube shifters. Generally a sign of a higher-quality build.
FIFY
FIFY
Likes For madpogue:
#37
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,536
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2752 Post(s)
Liked 3,412 Times
in
2,065 Posts
You should do some reading here on Randy's old site
https://cycle.haus/mytenspeeds/FREE_...TRODUCTION.htm
https://cycle.haus/mytenspeeds/FREE_...TRODUCTION.htm
Likes For dedhed:
#38
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 524
Bikes: 2015 Felt Z75 Disc, 2008 Fuji Cross Comp, 2010 Trek Navigator 1.0, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1974 Schwinn Le Tour, 1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour, Surly Cross Check, 2021 Giant Talon 2
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 206 Post(s)
Liked 71 Times
in
60 Posts
I was under the impression that 700 wheels didn't start getting common until the late 70s or early 80s. And it seems like steel bikes lost popularity in the 90s? That's not all that much overlap.
__________________
check out the Frugal Average Bicyclist
Frugal Average Bicyclist – The goal here is to help you keep cycling on a budget.
check out the Frugal Average Bicyclist
Frugal Average Bicyclist – The goal here is to help you keep cycling on a budget.
#40
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 524
Bikes: 2015 Felt Z75 Disc, 2008 Fuji Cross Comp, 2010 Trek Navigator 1.0, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1974 Schwinn Le Tour, 1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour, Surly Cross Check, 2021 Giant Talon 2
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 206 Post(s)
Liked 71 Times
in
60 Posts
You should do some reading here on Randy's old site
https://cycle.haus/mytenspeeds/FREE_...TRODUCTION.htm
https://cycle.haus/mytenspeeds/FREE_...TRODUCTION.htm
__________________
check out the Frugal Average Bicyclist
Frugal Average Bicyclist – The goal here is to help you keep cycling on a budget.
check out the Frugal Average Bicyclist
Frugal Average Bicyclist – The goal here is to help you keep cycling on a budget.
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,195
Mentioned: 483 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3824 Post(s)
Liked 6,789 Times
in
2,637 Posts
I also suggest you look through the catalogs in this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...t-w-links.html
You'll see who offered road bikes with 27" wheels and where those models fit in the hierarchies.
You'll see who offered road bikes with 27" wheels and where those models fit in the hierarchies.
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Greenwood SC USA
Posts: 2,257
Bikes: 2002 Mercian Vincitore, 1982 Mercian Colorado, 1976 Puch Royal X, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1971 Gitane Tour de France and others
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 823 Post(s)
Liked 1,396 Times
in
694 Posts
My perception is that there were more and more brazed on fittings in the late 70s and early 80s.
#43
(rhymes with spook)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,788
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
Dura Ace candy....
CC Bicycle Gallery: Jim Vasapoli's Nishiki ONP
I'll second the super le tour for OP topic. My '85 is pretty sweet.
#44
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,653
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 85 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2609 Post(s)
Liked 1,709 Times
in
939 Posts
Generally.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#45
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 524
Bikes: 2015 Felt Z75 Disc, 2008 Fuji Cross Comp, 2010 Trek Navigator 1.0, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1974 Schwinn Le Tour, 1981 Schwinn Super Le Tour, Surly Cross Check, 2021 Giant Talon 2
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 206 Post(s)
Liked 71 Times
in
60 Posts
Ah, man...no way...lol.. My '82 Trek 614 (27" wheeled) came full cyclone mkII with symmetric band clamp shifters. There's plenty of other high quality bikes that didn't come with braze ons, either; miyatas, univegas, nishikis. other trek models.....
Dura Ace candy....
CC Bicycle Gallery: Jim Vasapoli's Nishiki ONP
I'll second the super le tour for OP topic. My '85 is pretty sweet.
Dura Ace candy....
CC Bicycle Gallery: Jim Vasapoli's Nishiki ONP
I'll second the super le tour for OP topic. My '85 is pretty sweet.
__________________
check out the Frugal Average Bicyclist
Frugal Average Bicyclist – The goal here is to help you keep cycling on a budget.
check out the Frugal Average Bicyclist
Frugal Average Bicyclist – The goal here is to help you keep cycling on a budget.
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Soviet of Oregon or Pensacola FL
Posts: 5,345
Bikes: Still have a few left!
Mentioned: 48 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 467 Post(s)
Liked 541 Times
in
268 Posts
Not mentioned so far is a quick way to I.D. a light weight (Quality) frame would be presence of forged rear dropouts, especially with axle adjusting screws, or at least the holes where they used to be. I have only once seen both on a mild steel frameset (was an entry level Sekai). Don
Likes For ollo_ollo:
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,834 Times
in
1,998 Posts
27" wheels and tires had the same evolution that 700c did, the introduction of hook bead rims allowed higher pressures.
Unfortunately they also arrived when narrow was "better"
The clearances tightened up too save for dedicated touring bikes.
#48
Senior Member
Paselas are fine. I run the non-PT ones with latex tubes on my '83 Miyata 710. But higher-end models do have a tangible edge on them.
I'm not entirely joking when I suggest that it's a tire size awaiting a 650B-esque renaissance.
27" is almost exactly the same radius as 700c, its existence as a separate road size would create supply chain permutation overhead, and I'm not sure what the proposed benefit would be. Both cyclists and the manufacturers would be hurt by this.
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,592
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5234 Post(s)
Liked 3,609 Times
in
2,357 Posts
I was very happy riding this 1985 LeTour for several years (2010-2016). it wound up being my summer commuter for at least one of those years. in 2016 I donated this bike to a bicycle coop & they gave me $20.
the seat tube decal read:
cro moly
4130
stays
double butted
main tubes
frame built in America
the seat tube decal read:
cro moly
4130
stays
double butted
main tubes
frame built in America
Last edited by rumrunn6; 06-03-21 at 11:34 AM.
Likes For rumrunn6:
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Michigan USA
Posts: 912
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes.
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 292 Post(s)
Liked 895 Times
in
430 Posts
The "Super Le Tour 12.2" got the lighter weight in the late 70's.
Likes For daverup: