Touring - I would like some help with a wheel decision

I am building myself a nice strong touring bicycle (I weigh 210 lbs.) using a 1985 Raleigh Elkhorn Mountain Bike. The frame is 23 inches and everything is pretty much stock. Most of the touring that I will do will be on paved roads and forest service dirt/hardpack/gravel roads. I've got a question about the wheels. Right now the wheels are from 1985 36 spoke Araya 26 x 1.75 rims with a six speed freewheel and solid axles. Should I just go with that or buy a new set of wheels--let's say 36+ spoke freehub system? There is a local bike shop that can fix me up with a new set of wheels that have shimano hubs and Sun Rhyno Lite rims.

What would you do?

Thanks

If the Araya rim is steel I would check that brake pads work well to stop it. If the Araya rim shows no serious signs of wearing, you have no loose or cracked spokes, and the 6-speed freewheel has a large ring (34 teeth) and the rings show little to moderate wear, I would stay with that rear wheel. I'm stilling riding wheels from 1990 that perform well. I did, however, recently tightened all my spokes on those wheels to help prevent spoke breakage.

If, however, the rear wheel is showing signs of wear, I would upgrade. You may need to spread the rear dropouts to 135mm to take new rear hubs, but that is easy.

Thanks bwgride. The Araya rims are alloy and not steel. I don't want to spend any more money than I have to---I know silly me! But I'm also wanting something that is going to be strong and reliable.

I appreciate the advice.

I'll look at your question from a different aspect.

I'm building up an old MTB as a tourer, and am going with a newer generation drivetrain. In my case I'm salvaging a group from another bike I allready own.


Being a heavier rider, it may prove better for you in the long run to go with a cassette system rather than freewheel. I recall freewheels have loose bearings, and offcenter- some aspects which can easier lead to breaking/bending axles.

As for more reasons to switch from 6 speed rear to 9spd-I like closer gear ratios & should I go on another long tour, I know I'll be able to pick up replacement bits near anywhere. With a cassette I can change it out with a pocket tool (hypercracker). I don't know if there are pocket tools for freewheels.