Advice on what to do with 27 x1 1/4 wheels

[MrGrumpy]

As title says, I acquired free gratis an Apollo Challenger 12 speed road bike. The idea was to give it to my son to ride about on for now as he keeps nipping my head about my race bike . However rear rim is trashed and will need replacing and front is wobbly. Thought to myself no probs I have a spare set of wheels but nope spacing is not the same. So what's the options ? Looks like maybe a rebuild on new rims or see what I can pick up at the tip

 

[PpPete]

Is the frame aluminium or steel ?
If steel it can be respaced to take a modern hub (if you want that). See Sheldon on measuring rear drop outs and cold-setting.
Have a look at the brake calipers too. Is there space for the shoes to move down 1/4" or so in the caliper slot ? If so it will take 700c wheels in place of 27". In theory the difference is only 4 mm, but I wouldnt change if there is only just enough.
If you build your own wheels and don't factor in cost of your time then all things are possible. Paying for a rebuild is prob not worth it.
This ebay vendor sometimes has some cheap wheels.

If the rear drop outs are old style horixontal or semi-horizontal, consider turning it into a fixed wheel.

 

[MrGrumpy]

Its steel, the spacing is different front and back. Was only meant as a cheap run around and its in quite good nick just the wheels are kaput, well the rear! Might look into single speeding it, will see what I can find in the skip . I`m actually a bit gutted as along time ago I had a Dawes 12 speeder that was found by my dad and it was cracking but gave it to someone else to borrow and have never seen it since

 

[HovR]

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/retro-part-clearout.108853/#post-1990107

Maybe these wheels will work for you?

 

[biggs682]

sjs do some quite cheap rims or loads of built up cheep 27" wheels on flea bay or

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=216927

 

[tyred]

As mentioned, a cheap alloy wheelset from Ebay would be my preferred option. I have them on a number of bikes and they are grand. The only thing I will say is that you should open the hubs and grease them before use. They never to be shipped with sufficient grease and they are often overtightened. Correctly adjusted and well lubed, those Quando hubs will last for years in my experience.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Have a look at SJS cycles.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/27-x-1-1...d-solid-axle-and-polished-alloy-rim-prod2986/