Hybrid Bicycles - Wheel Upgrade Options From Bontrager SSR

Ok, I got ignored in the other thread, so I'm starting a new one! :) How can I figure out which hubs will fit my Trek 7.6fx so I can look at wheel upgrade options to get some stronger (and lighter) wheels that won't go out of round so fast on some of the rougher paths I ride on? I crashed once and had to have both wheels trued up, and the front needed it again after 100 miles. I've seen a lot on here about how the low-spoke count bontrager ssr wheels that came stock on my bike are less than ideal, so I want to upgrade. I don't mind learning how to build up wheels if that's the way to go, I can disassemble and reassemble a motorcycle from the ground up so I'm not averse to wrenching. Or if there's somewhere I can order a set of wheels to my specs?? What should I do next?

Chiming in for the same info. I'd like to upgrade the Bonty Race wheels on the 7.7FX. The tires are 700x32mm.....increased the size a tad over the stock 700x28mm.

I removed those ghastly stock Bontrager SSR wheels, from my Trek 7.5, with 20-spoke radial front and 24-spoke X2 rear - and got a pair of Mavic A719 rims with 32H. Using Shimano Ultegra 6600 hubs, I built them up 32-spoke X3 laced with 14-15-14 DB DT spokes. These wheels are tough, yet fast and graceful. Great on pavement as well as extended runs on gravel and dirt. I run Rivendell Ruffy Tuffy 700 X 27C tires - made by Panaracer.

So many manufacturers these days are cutting costs with the cheap wheels they supply with otherwise excellent bicycles.

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp323/nagognog/IMG_0388.jpg

How much lighter are those than the SSR's were? I'm sure they're stronger, just from looking at the spoke setup. What is needed to build a set of wheels, as far as tools, or other resources? Is that something that a resourceful hybrider can teach themselves to do?

I don't know what they weigh. Just that they are a much nicer ride than those things that came with. MUCH!

As for can you learn to build wheels? Of course you can. Or you can hire folks to build them for you. Or buy ready-made. If you opt to learn wheel-building, I'd suggest starting with Sheldon (Ride In Peace) Brown article on this subject:

http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

And there are quite a few others whose work should be included in your library. I'm sure others here can fill in the blanks.

i am looking at the trek 7.6 models and up and the reason i am more leaning towards the 7.7 is bc the switch from ssr to bontrager race rims.

someone mentioned before getting open pro rims with ultegra hubs - they weigh around 1900-2000 grams and are less than $300.... i forget who it was but someone mentioned on one of the threads i started that this is the best bang for the buck...

Miche/Mavic Open Pro Wheels - 700c - one is front, other is rear

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=31811

and

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=31813



$150 for front
$187 for rear

Ultegra hubs, Mavic A719's and DT Swiss spokes will come together to make a very good quality wheel that is light but still strong enough to tour on.

Open Pros are also excellent and will give you a slightly lighter wheel that should also be pretty bombproof.

One of the things people don't always realize is that to make a low spoke wheel you have to really increase the strength of the rim and this adds weight you think you saved by using less spokes.

I have built 32 spoke front wheel that are far lighter and stronger than many paired spoke and low spoke wheels.

AFAIK Trek has abandoned the use of paired spoke wheels due to the issues they have had with them and will be using more conventional lacings.

But they said they look cool! :lol:

Idiots in marketing.....:eek:

i am looking at the trek 7.6 models and up and the reason i am more leaning towards the 7.7 is bc the switch from ssr to bontrager race rims....

You're MUCH better off with the lower-end bike and getting some better wheels aftermarket. The stock wheels on the FX line all way up to the 7.9 are not impressive IMO. The other benefit to getting an additional set of wheels is you can always swap in the stock SSRs if you will be riding in conditions in which you don't want to expose your nicer wheels.

Also check bicyclewheelwarehouse for deals on wheels - sometimes you can snare some really good wheels, really cheap.

Any mail-order wheelset should be checked for proper-tension, truing lateral & radial, and stressed before use. Sometimes something slips by even the best outfits out there.

How about these:
http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=212

They look to be light and strong, but how do I know which options to choose?

That had me going. I mis-read it as Mavic A719 rims. But for the A319's - Silver - built with Ultegra hubs and and DT Competition 1.8-2.0-2.8 DB spokes, brass nipples, & built 32 3X-laced the price:

$234.951 x Mavic A319 700C.. (http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=212)

Mavic description:

http://www.mavic.com/road/products/a-319.324124.2.aspx

And Peter White's website on rims:

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/tourtand.asp

= Very nice wheelset!


What's odd is they claim these Ultegra hubs are 130mm in the rear. My Trek has 130mm rear-spacing. But this site seems to thinks it wouldn't fit many hybrids. But I'll tell you right now - Ultegra hubs do fit the Trek 7.5 FX. Rather confusing.

MEASURE YOUR REAR-HUB SPACING.

I decided to ....do this.

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/698/kshepzipp404s.jpg (http://img76.imageshack.us/i/kshepzipp404s.jpg/)http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/kshepzipp404s.jpg/1/w792.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img76/kshepzipp404s.jpg/1/)

:twitchy: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Ultegra hubs, Mavic A719's and DT Swiss spokes will come together to make a very good quality wheel that is light but still strong enough to tour on.

Open Pros are also excellent and will give you a slightly lighter wheel that should also be pretty bombproof.

One of the things people don't always realize is that to make a low spoke wheel you have to really increase the strength of the rim and this adds weight you think you saved by using less spokes.

I have built 32 spoke front wheel that are far lighter and stronger than many paired spoke and low spoke wheels.

AFAIK Trek has abandoned the use of paired spoke wheels due to the issues they have had with them and will be using more conventional lacings.

I have never been a Bontrager fan but 65er has it right. Those Ultegra hubs are Excellent. Rims and it will be down to the use you have for them but the main thing is to get Hand Built wheels from a good wheel builder. I do run low spoke wheels in Mavics and Shimano Ultegra- but the wheels I prefer to use are the hand built 105 hubs with 36 spokes laced x2 and Mavic CXP 33 rims. May not be as light as my other wheels but they are strong and give a comfortable ride.

I decided to ....do this.

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/698/kshepzipp404s.jpg (http://img76.imageshack.us/i/kshepzipp404s.jpg/)http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/kshepzipp404s.jpg/1/w792.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img76/kshepzipp404s.jpg/1/)


Those wheels cost more than the bike, right??? So now instead of telling people you ride a Trek 7.7fx, you tell people you ride Zipp 404 carbon wheels, attached to some generic bicycle! ha ha!