Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - A good wheel problem to have - what would you do?

When I got my KHS Aero it came with what I thing was the stock wheelset (some no name brushed aluminum high flange hubs laced to Sun M14A rims). The problem is the original owner JB Welded the cog and lockring on there and the cog is just about toast. It's a fixed/free hub and the freewheel side is clean. The hubs are nothing special but they roll and they're 3x wheels front and back, but the fixed side is basically done unless I want run the free side as a suicide hub which I'm not keen on.

I picked up some Miche hubs a while back with the plan of either building them up myself (would be my first wheel build attempt) or having my favorite shop do it. The hubs were a good deal, but the rest not so much so I put the whole idea on hold until I could save some more money. I finally got the money together when I spied a deal on some Phil/Open Pro Wheels that was too good to pass up (as in less than I was quoted to build up the Miches) so like any sensible bike nerd I snagged them before somebody else did.

Now I have an extra 120mm spaced 36h wheelset with no-name hubs and what appear to be so-so rims (about $22 each on ebay) and a toasted fixed side and a pair of 36h hubs sitting in a box. I'm not sure rebuilding on these rims is worth it but I would still like to build up the Miches and my job situation is pretty sketchy so I'm trying to save like a mother****er in the event that something nasty happens.

I'm thinking of just putting these wheels up on craigslist as singlespeed (lots of people out there with flip flop hubs that never use the fixed side) and seeing if anybody bites, with full disclosure about the ****ed fixed side and use that money towards the purchase of some nicer rims or a wheelbuilding class or a copy of "The Bicycle Wheel" (or booze).

Don't waste your money on books or classes. The internet is free and plenty of other people have built good wheels learning on it. Just buy a good truing stand, and lace up the Miches to some Mavics. Instant dope-ass wheelset.

Assuming that your spokes are the right length, lace the Miches to the old Sun rims, if for no other reason than to teach yourself how to build a wheel...that way you don't risk trashing a new rim on your first attempt. You can rebuild later with new rims if you want to. No one can be satisified with one bike, so hang on to those wheels for your next bike.

I voted for the Craigslist option, but only on the provision that you use the money to buy booze.

Specifically, the cheapest whisky you can find...and you have to drink it all within 24 hours...from a #1 Grandpa mug.

there's no option to vote for "send the miche hubs to queerpunk." what's up with that?

I vote for the Criagslist option and look into the following sites for info and philosophy on wheel building. "The Bicycle Wheel” by Jobst Brandt is a good reference in addition to what you can find on the web.
http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html
http://www.wellspokenwheels.com/wsw1.htm
http://www.crazyrides.com/en/mastermechanic/part3.htm
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/Wheels.asp

Build your wheels right the first time. However you do it, have an experienced builder check your work. No shame. I had a friend build his own wheel, and pull 2 spokes through the rim within a month. not that that means anything, but it's a PITA to have your 1st wheels implode on you.

Build your wheels right the first time. However you do it, have an experienced builder check your work. No shame. I had a friend build his own wheel, and pull 2 spokes through the rim within a month. not that that means anything, but it's a PITA to have your 1st wheels implode on you.


Use a tensiometer and you can't F it up. Maybe you don't need one if you have load of experience. I've built a few wheel sets and tensioned/trued a few others, but I lack the experience to do it blindly. I won't touch a spoke nipple without a tensiometer, and my wheel builds have always turned out great..even my first one.

I voted lace the hubs to the sun rims, only because you say you need to save money. Otherwise I'd have voted craigslist.

What do y'all think would be a fair craigslist asking price for these?