Wheel Size?

Earthdog

Just getting back in to biking. Started by digging the Raleigh 'racer' from the garage, tyres had long since departed company from the rims (chrome/rust) two new 27" tyres later and I'm into my second week of riding to work (36 mile round trip). Most enjoyable.
Now the question, my bike is 1970's vintage, and as mentioned has 27" wheels, but I notice that the new stuff are 26" (same as the MTBs), the new ones are also lighter and have slick gears (and probably other wizzy toys to make life easier), am I making life harder than necessary for myself by sticking with my museum piece? should I invest in something from this century if so any pointers?

otherworld

If you are talking about a road bike the new standard size is 700c which is neither 26 or 27". There are some 650c wheels around that triathon specialists and very short people get into but these are rare and should be avoided. Newer 700c rims are also hooked which means they have a lip on the inside of the rim walls that hold the tyres and provide for higher pressure and better safety. Generally they are known as "clincher rims" You could get new rims laced onto your existing wheels or get new wheels on your old bike or any combination you can think of. Just remember that rebuilding your old bike bit by bit will end up costing you a lot more in the long term than buying a whole new bike. Good Luck Jay.

beltabout

If your riding to work, and your company is a forward thinking one with a green transport policy or even if it is a dinosaur without take a look at www.booost.co.uk or other schemes and you could make your money go a long way further.

Nick