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What would you do?

Started by sailswim99 · · Last activity · 7 posts · 590 views

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01 / Original postWhat would you do?sailswim99 · 25 Jun 2011 02 / This pagePosts 1–7Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #7sailswim99 · 26 Jun 2011

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Original section
Cycling Equipment
Published
25 June 2011
Last activity
26 June 2011
Original author
sailswim99
Posts
7
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Public discussion
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590
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Topics
Drivetrain compatibilitySingle-speed and fixed-gear

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  1. Original post
    sailswim99
    Archived post
    #1

    Hi, Have been reading here for a while, first post. Great forum! I apologize in advance for asking newbie questions. I try my best to search before asking.

    A while back I bought a 1974 Centurion Dave Scott Ironman Expert off of Craiglist for a song. It has Shimano 105 components. I bought the bike without wheels.
    Attached is a picture of an identical bike, mine is also in excellent condition, minus some nicks on the chain stay. Anyway,moral of the story is that I really like this bike and am anxious to get it on some asphalt.

    I am in the market for new wheels. Priorities are: affordable (broke college student), durable, low maintenance costs, compatible with present 6 speed index shifters, everything else. Weight is not much of a consideration, as I'm very much a beginner cyclist.

    Intended usage:
    20-30 mile weekend rides, commute approx. 10 mi. round trip several day/week
    Terrain: Very flat
    Road conditions: Moderate to poor, glass, potholes
    Me: 168 lbs.
    Shifters: Downtube index shifters.
    Hub spacing: 126 mm.
    Frame: Steel

    My question is: If you were trying to get this bike in riding condition on the cheap, what wheelset would you buy? Would you stick with old school freewheel or upgrade to a freehub? Why would you choose this wheel combo/ hub style?

    I'd like to stick with the current 6 speed set up to avoid having to change shifters. I do not want to bend the frame and am not interested in upgrading # of gears.

    A follow up question is: what do I need to look for in choosing wheels, to make sure that they will accommodate a 6 speed cassette? I've read Sheldon Brown's site pretty extensively and feel like I have learned just enough to be more confused than when I started, despite the great write ups.

    So: to sum up,
    -What wheel set would you buy, given the priorities of:
    a.) affordable
    b.) durable
    c.) low maintenance
    d.) compatible with 6 speed?

    Hope that I've given everything necessary in terms of context. Thanks in advance for any advice!

    Image attached to What would you do?
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  2. tafi
    Archived post
    #2

    It's a sticky situation because new six speed freewheel equipped wheels are pretty hard to find, and when you do they usually aren't very good quality.

    In my opinioin, to get what you're after you need to get a set of hand built jobs. This means getting hold of some hubs compatible with your frame and gearing (most probably used - Ebay is the starting point), and then selecting some suitable rims and asking a mechanic to build them up with new stainless spokes. The result will be everything you want and in fitting with the bike's style as well.

    It may be woth just getting your current hubs rebuilt with new rims and spokes.

    Tips:

    • If you buy a second set of hubs, ensure that the rear is of the correct width for the frame (which is probably 126mm but do check)
    • For a bike of that vintage rim size can be an issue. The two most probable (and slightly different) sizes are 27" and 700c. 27" rims are also becomming rare.
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  3. sailswim99
    Archived post
    #3

    Thanks for the input Tafi! You've offered solid advice, and probably the best, most sensible route that I could go, though custom built will definitely be cost prohibitive for me. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind spending money for quality equipment when I can, but I really, really can't afford it right now. Again, thanks for your input.

    I was really hoping to find a manufactured (cheap) freehub wheelset and swap in a 6 speed cassette (found here: http://www.thethirdhand.com/index.cgi?d=single&c=Cassette&sc=Complete%20Shimano&tc=6%20Speed&item_id=LS-UN61421&id=848033916709) for the 7,8,9 speed cassette that would probably come with the wheel, or that the wheel would likely be able to accommodate. Is this possible? If I understand correctly, spacers are needed for 7 speed cassettes, could I just put another spacer in for a 6 speed cassette?

    THANKS!

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  4. BHOFM
    Archived post
    #4

    Bike Parts USA has 27 and 700 wheels under $50 for a freewheel, 5,6,7 speed in a 125mm.

    I have had good luck ordering from them.

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  5. davereo
    Archived post
    #5

    Looks like you bought your bike for a song. Now its time to dance. When your done putting this bike together its going to cost you more than you thought. IMO anyone with little bike knowledge should stick to buying bikes that are complete and ready to roll. As you are now finding out there are compatability and availabilty issue's that may have never entered your mind.

    All should turn out well in the end although you may invest more time and money than you first thought. There are loads of posters on this forum that can help you along the way finding parts and fitting them to your bike. Good Luck

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  6. davereo
    Archived post
    #6

    If your terain is very flat you could consider building a single speed bike. Most economical coversion available to you.

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  7. sailswim99
    Archived post
    #7

    Thanks for all of the tips! I checked out BikepartsUSA, looks like that might be the ticket! Thanks for the lead BHOFM.

    Davereo, Thanks for the advice, you may well be right about having to spend more than I'd hoped. At this point it's not a matter of being cheap or holding out for a good deal. I'm in school and barely making ends meet, if I can't get the bike rolling while staying within my tight budget constraints, unfortunately it won't roll.

    Again, thanks for the responses.

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