Classic & Vintage - Raleigh 26x1 3/8 - non steel wheels?

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notrobb
05-03-08, 12:39 PM
My wife found a nice 5 speed Raleigh from the 80s that she's stoked about riding this summer.

It's in amazing shape and looks never to have been riden. No chainwear, brake marks on the rims, etc.

The biggest downside to it though is the 26x1 3/8 steel wheels that are on there. I'd love to upgrade them to something non-steel for her. Does anyone manufacture wheels like this? Thanks all.

wahoonc
05-03-08, 01:06 PM
Hi welcome to BF/CV

You can rebuild the wheels around alloy rims. Most of us that do it use the Sun CR-18 (http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/rims/590.html) rims.

BTW is it a 5 speed Internal Gear or 5 speed dérailleur?

And before EastHill gets here...you may want to post pictures of the bike;)

Aaron:)
notrobb
05-03-08, 01:15 PM
Rad thanks, this will be my first wheel building escapade, but I think I'm ready for it.

It's a dérailleur btw, suntour I think.. I'll throw some pics up tomorrow :)

wahoonc
05-03-08, 01:43 PM
Rad thanks, this will be my first wheel building escapade, but I think I'm ready for it.

It's a dérailleur btw, suntour I think.. I'll throw some pics up tomorrow :)

Swapping rims is pretty straight forward...but check to make sure the spokes are the correct length...

Aaron:)
notrobb
05-06-08, 01:02 PM
Another question about building these wheels:

are hubs interchangable or are there different kinds? I have a nice pair of Shimano 600 hubs and their 700c rims are trashed.

I was thinking of using them to build the 26x1 3/8 wheels for the Raleigh, instead of the inferior hubs that are on the steel wheels.

I know this would probably change the spoke length, but are there other compatibility issues to consider too?

Thanks!!
wahoonc
05-06-08, 01:28 PM
Another question about building these wheels:

are hubs interchangable or are there different kinds? I have a nice pair of Shimano 600 hubs and their 700c rims are trashed.

I was thinking of using them to build the 26x1 3/8 wheels for the Raleigh, instead of the inferior hubs that are on the steel wheels.

I know this would probably change the spoke length, but are there other compatibility issues to consider too?

Thanks!!

Need to find out what your rear axle spacing is, versus the 600 hub, ditto the front fork. A few minutes with a caliper and ruler should give you the answer.

Aaron:)