27" bicycles?

Question

My husband is a tall man and needs a 27" bicycle which I haven't been able to find in stores - any directional help?

Answer 1

Jay has it right. You are probably thinking of a bike with a 27" wheel.

Nowadays, bikes with 27" wheels are almost non existent. Instead, they are typically 700C now. In addition, you will need to determine the correct frame size, and I can't think of a single manufacturer that has a 27" frame.

For perspective, a 27" frame would be suited for a person that has a 39" to 41" inseam (measurement from ground to crotch).

The last 27" frame I can recall was built by Schwinn. They only built one, and it was for Wilt Chamberlain, the basketball star.

If you are on a mission and are going to get one regardless of cost, I recommend contacting Bob Jackson Cycles in Leeds England. Their U.S. agent is World Class Cycles in New York. They'll build you one as reasonably as anyone can.

Answer 2

Actually, 27" frame bicycles were produced regularly by many bike companies. Schwinn had the "Traveler" as a 27" frame many years. It was actually made for Schwinn by "Panasonic" and sometimes wasn't tall enough for some basketball players who came in for a new bike. We have an older Raleigh Olympian 27" frame in the shop as I type. Cannondale make a 30" fame bike for Shaq some years ago, and Motobecane made a 29" frame road bike in the 1970's.
It is true that few companies bother now. Very tall people are forced to have custom bikes made or do without. Keeping in mind how many 27" frame bikes were produced in the '70's and '80's, one might try online auction sites to find a nice used one if all the local bike shops don't have one. I would always suggest a bike shop first, but some bike shop employees haven't been around long enough to have seen what you're looking for. Many shops don't accept trade ins as well.
If he just wants a bike for fun and exercise, perhaps a nice hybrid with 700c wheels in a 23" or 25" frame with extra long seat post and adjustable handlebar stem set high would suffice.
Good luck!

Answer 3

As the other guys said, you need to make sure it's a 27" frame your looking for, vs. 27" wheels.

Good luck finding either. You _did_ say your husband is tall, but a 27" frame is ridiculously huge. Even high-end bike stores wouldn't carry anything that big. You would need it custom ordered.

Suggestion - first, you need to go to a bike shop. Walmart ain't gonna do it. Ask them about the largest stock (non-custom) frames they can get. Then, with a long seatpost and a high-rise stem, they should be able to get him reasonably fit to it. NOTE: he has to be there for this if he's that big or they won't be able to pick the right parts.

Answer 4

If he really needs a 27" frame, then you will likely need to have a frame custom built. I am assuming he is taller than 6'7" (my height) because I don't ride a 27" (68-69 cm) frame. The largest I have ridden for Mountain bikes is a 23" frame, and it was truly too big for that application. Do a search for custom bicycle frames on Google.

As for 29ers, the statement that they are for larger people is wrong. The reason for a 29er in mountain bikes is that the larger wheel provides a smoother ride.

Answer 5

I had a 27" Ross bike when I was a kid (70's) and still see them for sale on ebay,

Answer 6

I am 6 ft 6 and ride a XL 21 inch bike which suits me fine. I have tried a 23 inch frame but for me it was even too big. Go to your local bikeshop and get fitted for the bike you like and that fits.

Answer 7

Make sure that you have not confused frame with wheel size. All adult road bikes have frames that are approximately 27" wheels. They are actually 700c. A27" frame is huge and likely hard to find. How tall is he?

Answer 8

Like a lot of persons have stated, God can't furnish you a bicycle in case you pray for it. however the comparable human beings will additionally permit you understand that God is all-forgiving. So it would be least complicated to thieve the bicycle and pray for forgiveness.

Answer 9

because theres no such thing as a 27". get a 26" bike with a large frame that suits his size. if you post his height, you can get a more accurate answer. he could also get a 29" (29er) which have recently become popular again. they are made for bigger people.