Okay, I'll add a few data points...
I've owned three different models (710, 414, 530) of Treks from '78 - 80, and it seems that they were all built with the fork crowns and brake bridges positioned such that either 700c or 27" would work. The only one of these that I bought new is the 414, that I bought in 1980 from Larry Black's College Park Bikes, and it had 27" wheels as standard issue, but easily takes 700c wheels with the original brakes. But I've checked and each of the others would handle either 27" or 700c. I THINK Trek assumed the clincher crowd would use 27", but might swap to sewups at some point, so they made them "ambidextrous". Or is that "bitireal"? How about just versatile? :-)
Another tidbit... I am now the lucky owner of the tall Proteus that was on the Baltimore Craig's List, and that bike was clearly built with 27" wheels and only 27" wheels in mind. It has 27" Super Champion rims, and the rear brake bridge is positioned such that I would need a drop bolt if I wanted to use 700c with the original CLB "standard" reach (47-57mm) sidepulls or any similar sidepulls.
This discussion has been fascinating. I'm happy to finally know when Mavic introduced the Module E rims, for one thing. Does anyone know when Araya first offered the 20A rim? I've got a pair that I'm thinking of putting on my Centurion Professional in place of the Module Es that were on it when I found it, but I don't know if the 20A was out in 78.
Tim Fricker Vienna, VA USA
Arthur Knowler <arthur@aknowler.co.uk <lt%3Barthur@aknowler.co.uk>>
wrote:
>>In 1982 I had a straight framed Hetchins built. When I went to the shop to
make the order Alf Hetchins offered the choice of 700c or 27" wheels. I took
the 27" option. I remember 700c wheels were just coming in but no one really
knew that they'd take over like they have and there was a general feeling
among my friends at the time that 27" would continue to be the standard for
touring machines. . . .How little we knew!
Arthur Knowler
Southend on Sea
England
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