Switching from 27" to 700 rims
03-25-12, 10:34 PM
#1
Switching from 27" to 700 rims
The 27" wheels from my Bianchi Volpe are in the shop getting the hubs rebuilt right now. I had it sitting next to my 1994 Trek 1400 that has the original stock 700c wheelset. Just for the hell of I did a test fit of the Trek rims on the Bianchi. To my surprise they dropped right in, front and back. I've read about cold setting the frame to fit the wider wheels but I hadn't done it so I really was not expecting them to fit. Now I'm curious to see if the 27" wheels have spacers on them. Am I thinking about this wrong or does this mean that I can use 700c rims with no further modifications to the frame when I rebuild the bike, assuming that I use the correct drive-train bits? Anybody know what the original wheel size was on a 1987 Bianchi Volpe?
Last edited by tenkerman; 03-25-12 at 10:38 PM.
03-25-12, 10:42 PM
#2
Senior Member
do the brakes have enough reach to grab the rim not the tire? that is usually where the fit issue happens.
you cold space to make dif size hubs work and add more cogs. not to fit wider rims
you cold space to make dif size hubs work and add more cogs. not to fit wider rims
03-26-12, 01:09 AM
#5
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if you're concerned only with the rim size conversion, then brake reach is your primary issue. if, in addition, you want to install a different size freewheel/freehub on the bianchi, then you may run into rear spacing issues. if the brakes could reach the 700c rim, and the trek axle fit nicely already, then it appears you're well on your way. personally, i like 700c tire choices which make sense for a conversion. what i don't like is he look of extra long reach calipers. center pulls often come in handy for this application.
03-26-12, 01:38 AM
#6
Really Old Senior Member
I'd check the dish of the wheel.
It might be OK and might not....
It might be OK and might not....
03-26-12, 02:25 AM
#7
Senior Member
Just in case it's not completely clear with the other responses, and because from your post I'm not sure if you've messed around with wheels enough to see the difference right away - Respacing/cold setting of your bike would be due to the width of the rear hub. This would be changed due to using a 5/6/7/8 speed gearing in the rear. 700c vs 27" rim, however, wouldn't ever require you to cold set the frame as long as you have the same hub width. It's just a matter of the brake fitting. You can always go from 27" to 700c as long as your brake caliper arms are long enough to allow the brake pads to reach the rim. Generally if you tried to fit a 27" wheel on a 700c bike, the wheel would be a tiny bit too big and not work because it would rub the brake mount on the rear triangle.
03-26-12, 07:31 AM
#8
Thanks for all the good information. brake clearance and adjustment don't appear to be an issue. I have a 10 speed rear on my Mondonico that I'm going to test fit as the eventual plan for the Bianchi is to convert it to 2x10 Campagnolo components. I'm just thankful that I got a new job that can financially sustain this little hobby!
03-26-12, 07:12 PM
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03-26-12, 10:13 PM
#10
randyjawa, yours is almost the same as mine. same color with a few different bits. I have come to love the 28t chainring on the grinding climbs. Today I test fitted the Dura Ace 10 speed wheelset, fits with no problem. Looks like I have more options than I first assumed when I get started rebuilding it. Anyone know where I can get reproduction Bianchi stickers?
