Would I just be able to buy any 700c wheel sets and simply adjust the brake calipers? I imagined it would be that simple, but a lot of conflicting info I’m finding suggests maybe not
by thebigbabushka
Would I just be able to buy any 700c wheel sets and simply adjust the brake calipers? I imagined it would be that simple, but a lot of conflicting info I’m finding suggests maybe not
by thebigbabushka
13 Comments
As long as the hub width is the same, you can fit any 700c wheelset on the bike. The main issue will be lowering the brake pads to fit the 700c wheel. If the brake pads can’t be lowered, you will have to buy a set of long-reach brakes.
What is the wheel size currently on the bike? If it’s already 700c you’re good. If they’re 27″ wheels then from the way it looks now, YES you are going to need brake calipers with a little more reach because the front at least is maxed out. Those look like 50mm, so you’re going to need 60mm. You measure from the center bolt to the rim surface.
When you swap out the brakes, save yourself a TON of hassle and get sidepulls, so you don’t have to bother with frame cable stops. Those centerpulls are such a huge pain.
Measure the wheels carefully or look for the size markings on the tires, there is a 95% chance that those are wheels for 27 x 1 1/4″ –a wheel size larger than 700c and tire size not compatible with 700c. If you buy 700c wheels, there is a 50% chance that you’ll also have to replace the brake calipers for longer reach calipers in order for the brake pads to reach the rims on the smaller wheels. The most cost effect solution is to buy new 27 x 1 1/4″ tires, although it is an obsolescent tire size.
Just some native size tires- lube the hubs…and chain get new pads if you need em. Enjoy it for what it is…spend money after you get to know it!!!
There’s a few dimensions you need to know to make sure you buy parts that fit.:
Tires/rims are best sized by bead seat diameter (bsd) tires/have to be the same to fit
27″ x .. are 630mm (old US size)
700c are 622mm (old european, now the world standard, easier to find tires of all quality)
Brake reach I don’t know what you’ve got, but if you switch from 630 to 622 rims, your brakes have to reach 4 more mm to hit the rim properly. Maybe they will… maybe
OLD (over locknut dimension) that’s the width of your hub that should be close to the dimension between the fork ends of your frame. I think that bike is 126mm at the rear and 100mm at the front, but measure before changing hubs.
You’ll have to decide what to do, it’s your bike, but things fit or they don’t. It’s not complicated, but sometimes changing one thing leads to needing to change more than one thing.
Lol I’m in the same boat buddy. Have a new set of tires coming in after the first set didn’t fit. Beats spending 1k to get a modern bike I guess
I’ve put modern rims on old school bike with no issues, 126-130 isn’t a big deal for a steel frame
How about you sell this to me lol I’m trying to find a bike like this to buy as a second bike to ride and they’re hard to find
Why convert from 27″? If the wheels are good 27″ tires are easily found. You can use a standard 700c tube.
I *only* switch when there is a need. Don’t spend money unless you have to.
also… you probably have rear dropouts spaced to 126mm. you may struggle to find a new 700c wheelset with a 126mm rear hub, especially one worth buying. you can A) have a wheelset built which is a fine option or B) stretch the rear drops to 130mm but that would mean building a new drivetrain. i’ve done that, and would do it again, but it’s work.
If you have 27″ wheels on that bike, then 100% for sure, you will need a longer reach brake on the front if you switch to 700C. That may be difficult to find as your front brake is already maxed out and it’s a pretty long-reach brake as it is.
I think your best bet is to just to buy Panaracer Pasella 27X1 1/4 tires, they are good quality, light, have puncture resistant strips, available in skinwall and mid-priced.
If both are steel then toss both of them out and if they are the better and more common ones like the 700X23 or 25C hang onto them both.
Because these are the bicycle wheels of choice and are a lot better and makes this bike lighter too.
Next…
Are both the handlebars and seatpost both aluminum on your bike if not again make them out of scrap and cut them up because once again steel is out and aluminum is in for good.
Tires/Tubes…
Check the tires on both wheels and if they are cracked then toss them out ditto for the tubes and buy new ones.
F/R Derailleurs…
Are they both rusted out and barely working?
Toss both of the F/R and buy Shimano parts and they should be aluminum for both of them.
Frame…
Gently buff it out and then polish the frame to a lustrous shine and now you are done.
I don’t know about the brakes. The front one looks close, but my gut tells me the nut his hiding a large enough gap for the bolt to drop enough to reach a 700c sidewall. The back has room, so I’d be stunned if the front didn’t. That being said, it’s still a French bike. French bikes, regardless of where they were built, never seem to be built with frustration-free future upgrades in mind.
If you’re going to update this, I’d advise buying a cheap 700c bike on Facebook and pirating the parts off that.