Originally Posted by
rch427
"Little new technology gets implemented into them"
Thank the gods of Valhalla! (or wherever)
The last thing I want near my bikes is new technology!
I'm old and my frames are old, so my components are suitably old. Hell, my Gnome et Rhone (c. 1947) has wooden rims. So...
Stick with 27 inch wheels and you'll be getting mostly tyres like we had in the 1970s, while 700C tyres are likely lighter and/or grippier and/or more puncture resistant, certainly available in much greater variety. There are a few 27" touring tyres available of reasonable quality, if you can find them in stock - Schwalbe Marathon is one that is often recommended (if you want robust and don't mind heavy).