New Wheels for Fixie

[downesdesign]

I'm 6'5" and riding a 62cm 2005 Specialized Langster (w/410mm Thompson seatpost, etc) for pleasure and the most exercise bang for my time. The bike did not come with particularly good components, and the wheels in particular have taken a beating under my 230 or so pounds of man flab.

Ideally, I would like to find a high-quality, high-strength set of wheels/hubs for this bike, but need to stop at $500-600 all-in.

Anyone out there have ideas?

[Wogsterca]

I'm 6'5" and riding a 62cm 2005 Specialized Langster (w/410mm Thompson seatpost, etc) for pleasure and the most exercise bang for my time. The bike did not come with particularly good components, and the wheels in particular have taken a beating under my 230 or so pounds of man flab.

Ideally, I would like to find a high-quality, high-strength set of wheels/hubs for this bike, but need to stop at $500-600 all-in.

Anyone out there have ideas?

Go to Search the Forums, key in wheels, select the clydesdale/athena forum, and read any of the 3465 threads already posted on the subject. :D

[downesdesign]

Thanks. I've been perusing the existing materials, though the question is specific to fixed/single gear bikes, in that some hubs and/or hub/wheel combos may not be suitable for my bike frame geometry. I'm not an expert, and figured someone else out there might have some knowledge specific to this scenario.Go to Search the Forums, key in wheels, select the clydesdale/athena forum, and read any of the 3465 threads already posted on the subject. :D

[Ziemas]

You can't go wrong with Phil Wood hubs. They are bomb proof. I also like Open Pro rims.

[B Piddy]

I have a Surly hub laced 32 spoke to Velocity Deep V rims on my Fixed/free bike. Bomb Proof.

[Luke1511]

just laced up 32 hole origin8 hubs to dp18 rims, one last check of the tension and a final truing and I'll let you know....

[downesdesign]

Many thanks -- that's very helpful. You can't go wrong with Phil Wood hubs. They are bomb proof. I also like Open Pro rims.

[downesdesign]

I am very grateful to all of you that have replied with suggestions. Can't wait to get on to a decision!

[Tabor]

Get whatever hubs you like. I would get a 32h open pro for the front and a 36h open pro for the rear. Lace them up with some nice 2.0/1.8/2.0 spokes.

[geo8rge]

Fixie? Harriscyclery.com has the most complete fixed gear catalogue. They will also build the wheel for you. I have their store brand hub on my 20" Caribike, and have had no problems even thought I ride it allot and do little to maintain it. I have the surley dual fixed gear which I also bought from them.

[ban guzzi]

my $.02...

I'm running SunRims M-13II wheels with an Eno flip flop rear and a knock off Campy high flange front. DT spokes, hand laced and I commute 20RT, 40-50 mile fun rides and I, unfortunately, hit potholes in the dark. I'm currently a svelte 275, 6'2" and run 75 gear inches.

Do what you what but my Sun Touring rims are great! Very glad I went with them instead of the usual Fixed/Road choices...

I love those rims but I am running as a 27" and not 700c.

[Ziemas]

my $.02...

I'm running SunRims M-13II wheels with an Eno flip flop rear and a knock off Campy high flange front. DT spokes, hand laced and I commute 20RT, 40-50 mile fun rides and I, unfortunately, hit potholes in the dark. I'm currently a svelte 275, 6'2" and run 75 gear inches.

Do what you what but my Sun Touring rims are great! Very glad I went with them instead of the usual Fixed/Road choices...

I love those rims but I am running as a 27" and not 700c.

Touring rims might be too wide for some frames, and the smallest tire you can safely run is usually a 28.

[ban guzzi]

probably...I'm using 1" and 11/8" tires. Not sure what that metrics out as...

[Wogsterca]

probably...I'm using 1" and 11/8" tires. Not sure what that metrics out as...

Here is a handy chart of
tire sizes inches to mm (rounded to nearest mm)

7/8" 22mm
1" 25mm
1 1/8" 29mm
1 1/4" 32mm
1 3/8" 35mm
1 1/2" 38mm
1 5/8" 41mm
1 3/4" 44mm
1 7/8" 48mm
2" 51mm
2 1/8" 54mm
2 1/4" 57mm
2 3/8" 60mm
2 1/2" 64mm

[ban guzzi]

cool! Thanks Wogsterca!

[downesdesign]

Have just ordered pair of Phil Woods hubs from Harris Cyclery -- the former a great suggestion from you; the latter an equally good suggestion from another respondent.

I have to get rims and spokes next. Several people have suggested Open Pros, so I'll be looking carefully at those.

I'm considering building the wheels myself... not sure if this is lunacy or the beginning of a zen experience ala Robert Pirsig. I've ordered a couple of books on the topic, which come highly recommended. Fingers crossed!

You can't go wrong with Phil Wood hubs. They are bomb proof. I also like Open Pro rims.

[CliftonGK1]

Building the wheels is a good experience. I built the wheels on my fixed gear and the generator wheel on my distance bike. I'll be rebuilding the rear wheel on that bike this fall.

The Open Pro is a really nice rim, but also look at the DT Swiss RR1.1 for a similar cross-section profile. The RR1.1 has a wear indicator on the braking surface, while the Open Pro does not. It also saves a little weight with single eyeletting instead of double.
If you're looking for a really stiff deep section rim, check out the Mavic CxP33, Velocity Deep V, DT Swiss RR1.2, or Alex DA28.

If you're going to build the wheels yourself, use SPOCALC to determine your spoke length. It's never served me wrong.