I sold some Woodrups in the early 80s that fit 27", but I had one from the 60s that fit 700c. Same with several other bikes I have had from the 60s. Often the frames were nearly the same and you could use 26 x 1 1/4, tubulars, or 27" on the same frame depending on the brake reach. "Sprints" (or sewups or tubulars or "tubs") became common for racing in what, the 30s? So some bikes were made to fit them back then. My Geoffrey Butler (yes he was Claud's brother) road bike, made in late 50s or early 60s, came to me NOS with 60s era 27" wheels, though it had never been ridden. Good thing, because not only were the wheels impossibly out of dish, they didn't fit! The bike was made for sprints and 27" didn't fit! For now I have some 700c clinchers on it, but I have some nice tubulars all set to go on it with NOS 3-piece Gran Sport 32/40 hubs.
Here is the bike if you have not seen it. http://www.flickr.com/
That said, I like the feel of 27" on the bikes that need it too. Something a bit regal about a wheel that big. They roll really nice. Too bad there are no quality 27 x 1 3/8 tires these days.
Message: 6 ate: Sat, 26 Dec 2009 10:34:06 +0000 rom: kevin sayles <kevinsayles@tiscali.co.uk> ubject: Re: [CR] Long brakes,Short brakes and 700c...TIMELINE? o: Ken Freeman <kenfreeman096@gmail.com>, Bob Freitas <freitas1@pacbell.net> c: CLASSIC RENDEZVOUS <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> essage-ID: <7B79F63E47524F359E29C5ED6717DC96@kevinPC> ontent-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hi Ken, Bob etc 'When did we changeover to 700c'.?.......this is one of those things that sort f happened without any conscious degree of thought.....its not like we thought wow, this frame wants 700c instead of 27s'.......I think framebuilders just dapt to the 'latest' trends without too much fuss, so I can't be sure when we t Woodrup's finally stopped making frames for 27s. Most of the frames that were shipped to the states, either via 'Ten Speed drive' r direct to the customer where based on what we termed 'fast touring' [often ad a transfer saying Giro touring......which we realised later said tour ouring!] these frames where made for deep drop brakes and 'fender' learance.....as for 27s versus 700c....... I think Ken is right in saying early 80s......I'd say by 82 we were only uilding frames for 700c unless specified......this seems to fit in with when he first 700c clinchers came out...I know before 82 I was still riding 'sew ps' in Winter. What is interesting is who or what instigates these changes?.........who for xample was the first to introduce allen key fitting brakes?..........who ecided that having 3 guides for the brake cable on the top tube was a good idea personally I hated it].....or hidden rear brake cable [another duff Idea] r who decided under the bracket cable run [though this was not uncommon on etchins, or Jack Taylors] think? Dave Lloyd may have been instrumental in the trend for brazed on front hangers? Anyhow, I take it Ken that 'cushy' is good regarding your handling of your oodrup....though this is not to be taken that all Woodrups have this particular rait......I say this because I feel many of the folk on this list who may have Woodrup are based in the US so will have the traditional fast touring eometry......but we didn't just make fast touring frames, anyone who has seen y personal bikes will know that. Time now to take such a bike out for a spin......having had a week off due to cey roads. Cheers evin Sayles ridgwater Somerset UK
cheers
Bob Freeman
Elliott Bay Bicycles
2116 Western Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
206-441-8144
http://www.elliottbaybicycles.com
http://www.davidsonbicycles.com