Road Cycling - Need help fixing vintage.

A Crescent 531 from the early 70's just fell into my lap. It's my first road bike, but I would really like to fix it up and make it nice. The biggest issue is this: I want to put new rims on it. When I got it it had sew on rims and tires. The rims are very lightweight, but it isn't worth it to me to keep the sew ons. Its just too expensive and I don't know what I'm doing with them. If anyone has suggestions on some inexpensive (and fairly lightweight) wheelsets and good tires I would really appreciate it. Also, I'm looking to get some descent pedals and shoes, it just has toe clips now. Any help would be really appreciated. This bike is in great shape, but I'm a novice at this.

Thanks,

jon

A Crescent 531 from the early 70's just fell into my lap. It's my first road bike, but I would really like to fix it up and make it nice. The biggest issue is this: I want to put new rims on it. When I got it it had sew on rims and tires. The rims are very lightweight, but it isn't worth it to me to keep the sew ons. Its just too expensive and I don't know what I'm doing with them. If anyone has suggestions on some inexpensive (and fairly lightweight) wheelsets and good tires I would really appreciate it. Also, I'm looking to get some descent pedals and shoes, it just has toe clips now. Any help would be really appreciated. This bike is in great shape, but I'm a novice at this.

Thanks,

jon

Good, complete, 27" wheels are hard to find. You'll need to either have expensive drop bolts (harris cyclery carries them) installed so the brakes can reach the rims on a modern 700c wheel or you'll have to get custom 27" wheels built with new, NOS, or the original hubs. Building the wheels yourself is doable if your LBS offers a wheelbuilding class or you are very patient and good with your hands.

I'd ask your LBS what they charge for wheelbuilding if you supply the hubs and rims. First, have them evaluate the original hubs to make sure they are still serviceable. Then, tear down the original wheels and order a pair of 27" Sun M13 rims from bikepartsusa.com. Take the rims and the hubs to the LBS and have them order the spokes and build the wheels.

I'm guessing around $100 for the wheel build project which is about the price of a pair of drop bolts.

Hi,
look here..
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/wheels.html#630

A hundred bucks for a set of wheels is cheap. If you're talking clipless, you need to find shoes that fit since they will be quite snug. Road shoes and cleats work a little better (they support the foot a little better) but are a misery to walk in. I use Mtn bike shoes and pedals.

Good, complete, 27" wheels are hard to find. You'll need to either have expensive drop bolts (harris cyclery carries them) installed so the brakes can reach the rims on a modern 700c wheel or you'll have to get custom 27" wheels built with new, NOS, or the original hubs. Some calipers that could be on the bike may have enough reach for 700c, depending on the frame. There are longer reach calipers available that don't brake the bank,and plenty of theres could be turned up on places like ebay.

Good, complete, 27" wheels are hard to find. You'll need to either have expensive drop bolts (harris cyclery carries them) installed so the brakes can reach the rims on a modern 700c wheel or you'll have to get custom 27" wheels built with new, NOS, or the original hubs. Building the wheels yourself is doable if your LBS offers a wheelbuilding class or you are very patient and good with your hands.

I'd ask your LBS what they charge for wheelbuilding if you supply the hubs and rims. First, have them evaluate the original hubs to make sure they are still serviceable. Then, tear down the original wheels and order a pair of 27" Sun M13 rims from bikepartsusa.com. Take the rims and the hubs to the LBS and have them order the spokes and build the wheels.

I'm guessing around $100 for the wheel build project which is about the price of a pair of drop bolts.

Actually, the rims that were on it when I got it were 700c according to the local bike shop. I had some really heavy 27 s from an old bike in my garage that I threw on there for the time being, and they were noticibly bigger. I'm sure these 700c s arent the original rims, and they had presta valves on them so they probably aren't that old. I think the hubs would be serviceable. If I know that 700's will fit on the bike will it be better for me to go ahead and buy a new set?

Actually, the rims that were on it when I got it were 700c according to the local bike shop. I had some really heavy 27 s from an old bike in my garage that I threw on there for the time being, and they were noticibly bigger. I'm sure these 700c s arent the original rims, and they had presta valves on them so they probably aren't that old. I think the hubs would be serviceable. If I know that 700's will fit on the bike will it be better for me to go ahead and buy a new set?

If it works with 700c rims, then you've got more options. (If the tire says 700c, that's what it is.) Normally, it's just plain cheaper to buy prebuilt wheels than it is to buy parts and build them yourself. Your issue is going to be the rear hub and maybe frame spacing. The likelihood is that you have a freewheel compatible hub rather than a cassette compatible hub. Unless you want to change the gearing, and maybe the frame spacing, you'll need a freewheel compatible hub which is hard to find on a new 700c wheelset. (Frame spreading isn't a big deal on steel bikes.) If you'd rather not worry about the implications of all that, get the wheels rebuilt with new 700c rims.

Mavic Open Pros are considered the gold standard around here but the MA-3s are quite nice and much less expensive. Make sure you get rims with the same number of spoke holes as your hubs (probably 36). Your LBS can help you pick out the right ones.