How can you tell if an old frame was originally built to take 27 inch wheels or 700s?

Is there some sort of rule-of-thumb to find out? It's a Dutch Gazelle track frame that was built in the late 60s early 70s according to the factory. Cheers!

Apart from the huge gap thats left when you put 700s on i'm not sure. If you put a 700 in and a normal short reach caliper, if they don't reach then theres your answer :)

When did they start using 700's anyway?

I'm sure theres a more technical answer to your question, but it ain't gonna come from me!! :P

If it's a Gazzel it's more likely to be made for 700 cc wheels. I think 27" where more of a British thing.

I even seem to remember reading somewhere something about raleigh introduced 27" as a way of starting a new standard. This could well be possible as the Raleigh factory was at one point the biggest factory in the world and the entire bikes where built there, not just the frames, so starting a new standard might be a good way for them to maximize the use out of their rim rolling machines as they could sell off extra rims. As I said I can't be sure on this Raleigh fact so don't go using it in any paper.

I have a early 70s Bianchi built to take 27" wheels so I guess there is no hard and fast rule.

Is there some sort of rule-of-thumb to find out? It's a Dutch Gazelle track frame that was built in the late 60s early 70s according to the factory. Cheers!

Have you looked on classic rendezvous or classic lightweights?

Or just ask Jos... He'll know...

I have a early 70s Bianchi built to take 27" wheels so I guess there is no hard and fast rule.

I fail! Oh well.

I fail! Oh well.

Wasnt dissing you Tommy, just mentioning it. I think the trouble is there never really has been too many industry standards, everyone kind of did their own thing.

Don't worry I don't take offense. Like I said it's a sketchy memory so be no means accurate and your correct that of course before the standards became the norm everyone just did there own thing prob changing every year depending what their supplier was.. It would be nice to know where the 27" came from though e.t.c.

I remember my grandad about 25 years ago renovating an old bicycle, he hunted all over London for I think 28" wheels, I could be wrong on the size though? Imagine that, in the days before the net. he did it in the end though, although I can't remember what the bike looked like.

Or just ask Jos... He'll know...

Good point that man!

Apart from the huge gap thats left when you put 700s on i'm not

there is only going to be 4mm difference ?! 622mm vs 630mm diameter therefore the wheel will be closer/further by 4mm...

hardly noticable... really.

Jesus! my brain is hurting after all that.

Uhh? Where did all that info go?

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o110/dylanji/untitled-1.jpg

i really fucking hate how 700c is 622mm. It pisses me off.

on a side note P!MP, I've heard people call 700c 28" before, and you can imagine how much that annoyed me.

Life and bicycles are just plain confusing.

there is only going to be 4mm difference ?! 622mm vs 630mm diameter therefore the wheel will be closer/further by 4mm...

hardly noticable... really.

Dont forget they most commonly take 27 1 1/4" tyres, which makes the overall wheel diameter quite a bit bigger than the 23-25c on 700c.

now im not in the god dam nursery! sweet!

ehhh?

now im not in the god dam nursery! sweet!

Thank God, I am happy for you and you bumped an old thread,

By the way 700c and 28" are the same.

I have a 1949 Gillott track frame built for 27in wheels. With 700c wheel you will have about 1" of space between tyre and top of forks. You will need long reach brakes and the fork spacing may be narrow. Mine is 110mm at the back and 95mm at the front.

Are all 27" wheels the same? If I bought a bike with 27" wheels off eBay, could I pull the wheels off and use them for a Raleigh Misty? Could use an expert opinion. Also, anyone in London fancy helping me get Misty back on the road? I am utterly clueless about bikes and just want to get her on the road for the least money. If I got a lesson in bike mechanics too that would be awesome.

There are different rim widths, so a frame made with very tight tolerances could have trouble with wheels for a touring bike for example, and as said there are different dropout widths.

I'd suspect you have either 120 or 126mm rear spacing and fairly wide rims on a misty, so it should be fairly easy to find what you want.

i really fucking hate how 700c is 622mm. It pisses me off.

on a side note P!MP, I've heard people call 700c 28" before, and you can imagine how much that annoyed me.

And dont they call a 700c with mountain bike tyres a 29er ??