Commuting - I need a 700x23c rim/tire w/ MTB disc hub...

for my Cannondale BB Ultra. I commute to work most days. I am switching out the derailleurs to road, a road cassette, bullhorn bars w/ STI 9spd shifters. Why - because. What wheel set can I buy that is 700x23c tire/rim laced to MTB hubs that are compat with Shimano road cassette. Or do I need to buy the rims sep and have them built. My LBS is Stadlers (largest in the world I think) and they want 300 euro for some Mavics with XT hubs. Obviously I would like to spend a little less. Any other tips on this conversion? are appreciated.

Couldn't you use a cyclocross wheel? I'm thinking like this:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=16473&estore_ID=1858

or:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18849&subcategory_ID=9999

shimano road and MTB cassettes are fully interchangable, except for 10sp only road hubs.
you can even keep the XT rear dérailleur since it'll work with the shifters.

Look here for a reasonable priced set.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16056-365_MAVD57-3-Parts-429-29er-Parts/Shimano-Deore-M525-Disc-Hubs-w_-Mavic-317-Disc-29er-Rims.htm

You didn't state specifically but your rear dropouts are spaced for a mountain bike hub at 135mm. Standard road bike hubs are only 130mm, hence you want a road rim laced to a mountain bike hub. That said, any 29er wheelset should work just fine. Will you have adequate clearance for the larger diameter wheels ??? Better check that with a 700c wheel before you begin. As for your cassette, the M475 free hub body is the standard Shimano 8/9/10 free hub body. It will take virtually any 8/9/10 speed cassette, though you may need a spacer depending on which cassette manufacturer you pick. Good luck!

B

shimano road and MTB cassettes are fully interchangable, except for 10sp only road hubs.
you can even keep the XT rear dérailleur since it'll work with the shifters.

I swapped my 9 spd mtb cassette to a road cassette, and kept my XT derailer, no issues.

I also picked up a wheelset, similar to what the OP priced. I got XT disc hubs, and Mavic 319, 36 hole rims, for $230 including shipping on Ebay (about $180 Euro). But my rims are wider, 700x28 min. I had to look a long time to find the set I wanted at that price, especially the 36 hole rims. Bottom line, I think you could get a better price on Ebay, if you can find that set-up.

I am also interested in the bullhorn/aero set-up. Anyone know if the bullhorn reverse brake levers are compatible with mtb disc brakes(Avid BB7)?

reverse brake levers are for calipers or cantis, unless you use a travel agent.
http://www.problemsolversbike.com/products.html

I also picked up a wheelset, similar to what the OP priced. I got XT disc hubs, and Mavic 319, 36 hole rims, for $230 including shipping on Ebay (about $180 Euro). But my rims are wider, 700x28 min. I had to look a long time to find the set I wanted at that price, especially the 36 hole rims. Bottom line, I think you could get a better price on Ebay, if you can find that set-up.

Yeah, there's a place out in Colorado that sells a bunch of wheels like that on Ebay. I bought some a few months ago and have been very please.

reverse brake levers are for calipers or cantis, unless you use a travel agent.
http://www.problemsolversbike.com/products.html

Thanks--added to favorites. I will get the inline agent when I catch the right bars at the right price on Ebay.

OP, are you in Europe? If so, price out the parts on www.chainreactioncycle.com. I just ordered an XT disc wheelset from them for ~$155 CDN. I think they would build up XT hubs on Mavic Open Pro rims for you if you asked.

I think Avid makes a short pull 'road' version of their disk brakes that would work with tt style levers

I had the LBS build up XT Centrelocks on Open Pros, butted spokes.

Probably could have got it cheaper online, but whatever.

Couldn't you use a cyclocross wheel? I'm thinking like this:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=16473&estore_ID=1858

or:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18849&subcategory_ID=9999
I was thinking cyclocross tires but then got cross eyed trying to figure out what size was what.

shimano road and MTB cassettes are fully interchangable, except for 10sp only road hubs.
you can even keep the XT rear dérailleur since it'll work with the shifters.
are you saying that XT derailleurs are compat w/ STI shifters? Regardless - I have SRAM X-7 RD and shifters (I am swapping them out)

Look here for a reasonable priced set.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16056-365_MAVD57-3-Parts-429-29er-Parts/Shimano-Deore-M525-Disc-Hubs-w_-Mavic-317-Disc-29er-Rims.htm

You didn't state specifically but your rear dropouts are spaced for a mountain bike hub at 135mm. Standard road bike hubs are only 130mm, hence you want a road rim laced to a mountain bike hub. That said, any 29er wheelset should work just fine. Will you have adequate clearance for the larger diameter wheels ??? Better check that with a 700c wheel before you begin. As for your cassette, the M475 free hub body is the standard Shimano 8/9/10 free hub body. It will take virtually any 8/9/10 speed cassette, though you may need a spacer depending on which cassette manufacturer you pick. Good luck!

B
OK - what is a 29er exactly - is it a 700c rim that is wider to take 1 inch tires or bigger? My BB came with 700x28c Vitoria's on Sun rims. They only have 1/8 inch clearance. And it's a MTB frame so I'm pretty sure it has a 135mm rear end.

I swapped my 9 spd mtb cassette to a road cassette, and kept my XT derailer, no issues.

I also picked up a wheelset, similar to what the OP priced. I got XT disc hubs, and Mavic 319, 36 hole rims, for $230 including shipping on Ebay (about $180 Euro). But my rims are wider, 700x28 min. I had to look a long time to find the set I wanted at that price, especially the 36 hole rims. Bottom line, I think you could get a better price on Ebay, if you can find that set-up.

I am also interested in the bullhorn/aero set-up. Anyone know if the bullhorn reverse brake levers are compatible with mtb disc brakes(Avid BB7)?
I know STI brakes need the Avid Road BB5/BB7. I don't know about the reverse brakes.

thanks for all the replies. Are cyclocross wheels = 29er's? Will a 29er fit the same as a 700c (assuming they have the same hubs). I am thinking I will have to have a road rim built on a MTB hub. What are the performance differences in commuting between a 700x23c and a 700x28c?

28c allows you to run lower pressures than 23c, which means it'll be a bit more comfortable over rough roads.

29'er and 700c are the same thing, they use 622mm rims 29'er can usually fit fatter tyres.

Are cyclocross wheels = 29er's?

Generally, no. Cyclocross tends to involve tires more in the 30-35 width range. That said, the only difference between 700c and 29er rims is the width, and some cyclocross bikes have 135mm spacing on the rear hub, so there's some similarity I suppose.



Will a 29er fit the same as a 700c (assuming they have the same hubs). I am thinking I will have to have a road rim built on a MTB hub.

The only difference is width. A road rim on a MTB hub will work just fine.


What are the performance differences in commuting between a 700x23c and a 700x28c?

Performance differences would be minimal. The 23 has a smaller contact area, so on ideal pavement it would have a bit less rolling resistance. I would expect them to be pretty similar.

I just built Open Pros on Deore LX centerlock hubs. Wheelsmith DB14 spokes.

Works great.

I just built Open Pros on Deore LX centerlock hubs. Wheelsmith DB14 spokes.


I assume this is also for a MTB bike designed for 26" wheels? Have you noticed the increase in BB height?

I'm trying to decide if it bothers me enough to look into dropping the suspension a bit. Probably not.

I assume this is also for a MTB bike designed for 26" wheels? Have you noticed the increase in BB height?

I'm trying to decide if it bothers me enough to look into dropping the suspension a bit. Probably not.

No. It's for a disc equipped cross bike with 135mm rear dropout spacing.

Another option is; I believe the Mavic Speedcity is 700c with 135mm hubs, disc capable.

You can use any 29er wheel, except that most of them wil not take a 23mm tire. 35mm, yes, maybe even 30.

Otherwise I think your only option may be to have it built up custom. In the long run you get a better wheel that way, though.

are you saying that XT derailleurs are compat w/ STI shifters?Yes. One of my bikes has 9-speed Ultegra STI levers and an XT rear derailleur. Works very well.

are you saying that XT derailleurs are compat w/ STI shifters? Regardless - I have SRAM X-7 RD and shifters (I am swapping them out)

I can confirm that; I am building a cross bike with:
- STI 9s shifters and front derailleur (triple)
- XT crankset, BB, chain, cassette, rear derailleur.

Before I installed the chain, I set the high/low derailleur stops by eyeball, and snugged up the cables.
I put on the chain and the rear shifting was perfect; I didn't even need to make any adjustment.

The front shifting is another story. It is very difficult to get adjusted. I think part of the issue is the 44/32/22 chainring set. I can't get the derailleur down tight to the large chainring because the lower end of the cage hits the chainstay. I may need to try the spare set (48/46/26). I was hoping to use the smaller set for the mountain climbs I'm always doing.

No. It's for a disc equipped cross bike with 135mm rear dropout spacing.

Another option is; I believe the Mavic Speedcity is 700c with 135mm hubs, disc capable.
I looked at the Mavic Speedcity set and boy are they proud of them. @ $450 a set I think I can get a custom made set cheaper in the color scheme I want.

Kiwitex,
Bike24 has a sale price on Speedcity @ 229 Euro.

Kiwitex,
Bike24 has a sale price on Speedcity @ 229 Euro.
OK - Bike24 on the web rocks - thanks for the tip.

I swapped my 9 spd mtb cassette to a road cassette, and kept my XT derailer, no issues.
QUOTE]

My Point Reyes came stock with a 12-26 road cassette and XT rear der. Works fine. I think you might have some probs if you tried to match a 11-34 cassette with a road der though.

[QUOTE=Kiwitex71;7852352]are you saying that XT derailleurs are compat w/ STI shifters? Regardless - I have SRAM X-7 RD and shifters (I am swapping them out)

My old Sutra came stock with 105 STI's and an XT rear der. Again,no issues. But BBU SRAM der's have a different actuation than Shimanos,so unless you go Shimano you'll need SRAM shifters or an adapter. Don't know if Problem Solvers makes Shimano-Sram adapters,but there is a company that does. Can't find their link right now,but they do a range of adapters for going from Shimano to SRAM to Campy.

[QUOTE=chewybrian;7845933]Don't know if Problem Solvers makes Shimano-Sram adapters,but there is a company that does. Can't find their link right now,but they do a range of adapters for going from Shimano to SRAM to Campy.

Damn, I hate it when I know exactly what someone is talking about, but can't remember the name!
Finally found it though:

http://jtekengineering.com/shiftmate.htm

^^^ That's them.