Schwinn Voyageur SP 1984 Convert to 700c?
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06-20-23, 08:26 AM
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That's a very nice bike. I doubt though that there is much of a ride difference between 27 inch and 700c everything else being equal (i.e., you rode roughly the same quality tires/wheels/air pressure etc.)
That said, 700c certainly opens the door to greater tire choices. Two things to keep in mind.
First, you will need cantilevers that can adjust down to hit the 700c rims squarely. Not all cantilevers can do this (hopefully the ones that came on the bike can do this).
Second, maybe you can fit 38c tires on the bike; maybe you cannot. Touring bikes back in the day were built around 27 x 1 and 1/4 tires and they may not have the clearance for 38c tires.
The bottom line is you may want to keep the 27 inch wheels if they are in good shape. Good quality 27 inch tires are readily available. Panaracer Paselas are popular. Schwalbe makes a Marathon greenguard tire in 27 x 1 and 1/4. There are other good choices out there as well.
That said, 700c certainly opens the door to greater tire choices. Two things to keep in mind.
First, you will need cantilevers that can adjust down to hit the 700c rims squarely. Not all cantilevers can do this (hopefully the ones that came on the bike can do this).
Second, maybe you can fit 38c tires on the bike; maybe you cannot. Touring bikes back in the day were built around 27 x 1 and 1/4 tires and they may not have the clearance for 38c tires.
The bottom line is you may want to keep the 27 inch wheels if they are in good shape. Good quality 27 inch tires are readily available. Panaracer Paselas are popular. Schwalbe makes a Marathon greenguard tire in 27 x 1 and 1/4. There are other good choices out there as well.
06-20-23, 08:26 AM
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06-20-23, 08:30 AM
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That's a strong wheel. Super Champion 58s were excellent rims. They built up well and they are very durable. I rode a set (36 spoke) on a cross country tour. Those wheels are still going strong.
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06-20-23, 10:57 AM
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I had a voyager a year or so newer that I went with 700c on. It was just able to adjust and frankly I much preferred the 35s at 700c. If it had been one size larger I'd have kept it. If it's your size and you want to ride it, make it so you like it.
06-20-23, 11:38 AM
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I prefer 700c over 27 inch because of tire availability but I doubt I'd change these wheels out. Superchampion 58s make for really nice wheels.
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06-20-23, 11:44 AM
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I had a 1983 Voyageur SP years ago and converted it to 700c without any issues. Definitely worth if for the additional tire and rim options.
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06-20-23, 12:35 PM
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There are many threads on this in this forum. Have you read them yet?
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06-20-23, 01:06 PM
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06-20-23, 01:07 PM
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Oh I don't think anyone is saying that. I was thinking more along the lines of what have you read or what specific questions you have regarding it. I have an '86 and converted it to 38mm GravelKings. It's amazing. My suggestion is to use Dia Compe 981s since they have a lot of downward adjustment.
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06-20-23, 01:27 PM
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Sorry I took it the wrong way.
Amazing that yours fit a 38mm. Sounds like it would be worth trying for a trail bike and easy to do. When I was reading up on the VSP, I was thinking SL/SP tubing would result in a livelier ride. I'm not used to long chainstays and thick forks.
Amazing that yours fit a 38mm. Sounds like it would be worth trying for a trail bike and easy to do. When I was reading up on the VSP, I was thinking SL/SP tubing would result in a livelier ride. I'm not used to long chainstays and thick forks.
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06-20-23, 02:31 PM
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Oh I don't think anyone is saying that. I was thinking more along the lines of what have you read or what specific questions you have regarding it. I have an '86 and converted it to 38mm GravelKings. It's amazing. My suggestion is to use Dia Compe 981s since they have a lot of downward adjustment.
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06-20-23, 02:35 PM
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@wheelgofar: should you decide the 27" Super Champion 58 40-hole rim is excess to your needs and decide to get rid of it, there is someone who posted looking for same today in the sticky ISO thread.
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06-20-23, 06:52 PM
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I did this exact conversion on an '85 Voyageur SP. Dia Compe 981s do it with no problem, as do the vintage 980s. The fork crown and manipulating the fender through it are why I ultimately stuck with 32s and fenders. It gets very tight in there. I wouldn't go larger than 32s if you want to run fenders. 35s would be a squeeze with fenders, but fine without. 38s *can* fit (fenders not an option), but you'd be sacrificing all of your clearance.
I never found myself wishing for 35s and mine saw plenty of rail trail crushed gravel miles.
I never found myself wishing for 35s and mine saw plenty of rail trail crushed gravel miles.
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06-20-23, 08:38 PM
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I know it's really only a 4mm lower wheel height when switching from 27" (630mm) to 700 (622mm) but had always wondered if just using wider rims might clear the issue of the lower height and make it easier for the cantilever brakes to line up...
06-22-23, 02:46 AM
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I have an '85 Voyageur SP, very much a time capsule. I haven't converted it to 700C because it is so beautiful as is, including the polished Super Champion rims. It's a hair small for me as well, so it's stuck in this limbo of keep stock/sell/keep and upgrade. I should just convert to a generic 6/7-speed 700C wheelset with nice 35mm tires to see how it does. I'm running nice Swift Sand Canyon tires right now and it feels about as comfortable as a bike with 29mm wide tires and Columbus don't-take-no-crap-from-nobody SP tubing.
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06-22-23, 09:52 AM
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I too have a VSP with Columbus. Mine, a 21”, is a touch small but the 23” was too large. I have the Sand Canyons on it which I like better than the pasela pro tite or tourgaurd, whatever was on the bike when I bought it. I have toyed with the idea of 700’s, but everything about the bike just feels right. I have some wider bars on it and a set post with more set back. I also recently added a Nitto front rack that attaches at mid fork. I tried the stock blackburn that attaches at the lower eyelets, but I felt it made the front too stiff, as I just use it to ride around.
Older pick with blackburn racks.
Older pick with blackburn racks.
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06-23-23, 07:34 PM
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RiddleOfSteel and Lbxpdx your stories sound like mine: Swift Tires on a time capsule bike. I lucked out with a 22" which fits perfectly. It was even set at the exact seat height and angle for me.
My front 27" tire is very close to the front of the fender, but isn't rubbing.
Lbxpdx, it's interesting what you said about the Blackburn rack adding stiffness, because that was something I was wondering about. I also have a Berhoud bag I'd like to use. I have the medium size, so no need to raise the handlebars.
It's interesting: I have a 1968 Paramount P-13. It's my favorite bike I've ever ridden--over full carbon featherweights; handmade Italian exotics, OS tubing steel racers. It feels so light and lively (alive, really) it floats down the road, effortlessly building speed. I took the wheels off and found that with fenders and a small front rack, it weighs the same the fendered Voyageur SP without wheels or racks, yet the Voyageur feels so much heavier.
I believe this has to do with balance. The VSP is very tail heavy. The front rack helps balance this out.
My front 27" tire is very close to the front of the fender, but isn't rubbing.
Lbxpdx, it's interesting what you said about the Blackburn rack adding stiffness, because that was something I was wondering about. I also have a Berhoud bag I'd like to use. I have the medium size, so no need to raise the handlebars.
It's interesting: I have a 1968 Paramount P-13. It's my favorite bike I've ever ridden--over full carbon featherweights; handmade Italian exotics, OS tubing steel racers. It feels so light and lively (alive, really) it floats down the road, effortlessly building speed. I took the wheels off and found that with fenders and a small front rack, it weighs the same the fendered Voyageur SP without wheels or racks, yet the Voyageur feels so much heavier.
I believe this has to do with balance. The VSP is very tail heavy. The front rack helps balance this out.
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