Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Wheelset/Recomendation

I'm still trying to 'fix' this older Dunelt frame I have, and I'm running into problems with finding matching wheels at my local bike recycler. What's a good set for a guy on a budget? It's a Dunelt 3-speed frame, that I currently have a 700c rear freewheel w/surly cog and BB lockring, and a 27" front wheel. That's about as close as I can get with the resources I have. The rear is a Suntour hub and Ariya rim. I'm not sure what the front rim is, since the label is worn off, but I believe the hub is either a Suntour or something else comparible. What's easier to find replacements for, 700c or 27"? I don't see a lot of 700con line.

Anyone know of any good deals? (I'm kinda broke, can't really spend more than say, $150-175 on them. :( )

Vincent

http://www.irocycle.com - 175 for the basic wheelset. Solid.

i've heard nothing but good things about the Van Dessel wheelset, and have been thinking about getting them for myself. anyone have any opinions on them?

I'm running the rear VD wheel on my bike - solid dependable and sealed though its spaced for 130mm which doesn't work for a lot of conversions - road bikes are spaced 120mm in the rear.

I'm running the rear VD wheel on my bike - solid dependable and sealed though its spaced for 130mm which doesn't work for a lot of conversions - road bikes are spaced 120mm in the rear.


no. track bikes are spaced 120 in the rear. road bikes are usually 128 or 130. some older bikes are 126, and a few really oldies are 120. but mostly, they're one of the others.

I stand corrected - most of the older conversions I've done run 120. Which I now find odd.

Does anyone offer a deal on the VD wheelset? I see them listed individualy on the site, which is still around my budget, but it'd be nice if there was a deal to get them both. :) Really, it's not that I'm cheap - it's that I'm broke. :D

The irocycle one looks great too!

no. track bikes are spaced 120 in the rear. road bikes are usually 128 or 130. some older bikes are 126, and a few really oldies are 120. but mostly, they're one of the others.
yeah, i measured my bike last night and it's 126; so i'm assuming that spreading it an extra 4mm should be fine...

I own a Van Dessel fixie...the wheels are great. Mine has 32cm Ritchey SpeedMax cyclocross tires and the bike will take me almost anywhere. Harris Cyclery has pre-built fixed-gear wheels in both 27" and 700c sizes at a reasonable price. I've never tried them. You might want to check for deals on Ebay. I picked up an older tubular track hubbed wheelset with a 16t cog at a low cost. I had my wrench tension them up for $15. Good luck building your bike. :)

Here is an excellent commuter rear fixie wheel:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58099&item=3694299233&rd=1

Here is an excellent commuter rear fixie wheel:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58099&item=3694299233&rd=1

but it has the suzue basic hub. thats a waste of money.

Here is an excellent commuter rear fixie wheel:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58099&item=3694299233&rd=1

I'm running that very wheel on my Le Juene SS commuter with no problems. It did require a little truing but is holding up well. I got it from hampbike on eBay.

i've heard nothing but good things about the Van Dessel wheelset, and have been thinking about getting them for myself. anyone have any opinions on them?

Any ideas if there's a weight restriction I should think about? 5'10", 220lbs here. Just occured to me.

Vincent

i'm currently riding 27" wheels, would i have any problems switching to 700c?

nolageek - dont feel obligated to 'match' wheels. they dont hafta match.
JesseM - 700c will work on a 27 frame. you ~may~ need to get longe-reach brakes. Why would you want to switch?

stevo, I guess I'm more concerned with matching widths. The front is, I believe 700x32c and the back is 700x28c. I'm afraid once I get the tires on it's gonna look funky, since they looked . I was looking on the Van Dessel site for widths, but I dont see any info.

funky is good.

I think you're talking TIRE widths, not rim widths? 29 or 32 is very wide for a rim (more likely about 15). any given ISO rim should fit either 28 or 32 (or 25, 23, etc) tires.

I measured it today and the inner width of the rim is 19mm. What is the width of the VD rims? I think I'm going to place my order tomorrow.


Vincent

This just in: Just found out the rear fork spacing on the frame is 110mm. Is it safe to stretch it 20mm without 'cold forging?' This frame is giving me a headache. I may go thrift-store shopping this weekend and try to find a different frame. Maybe I'll just buy the Dunelt frame for a later project, since I really like it. My other option is to just put the flip-flop on my schwinn cruiser. :) Anyone else have a fixed cruiser frame?

"no. track bikes are spaced 120 in the rear. road bikes are usually 128 or 130. some older bikes are 126, and a few really oldies are 120. but mostly, they're one of the others."

actually, i thought track bikes were 110. 5/6 speeds are 120/126.

Nola, a standard track hub should be perfect. I would not strech 20mm....thats quite a stretch.

This is an old Dunelt (bought by Raleigh) 3 speed frame with a 110mm rear fork. Go figure. I guess the hub had internal gearing. I just paid for the flip flop from Van Dessel, I hope it gets here by Saturday, but I haven't made up my mind what I'm going to do with it yet.

I'm going thrift-shopping this weekend to see what I can come up with. I may try cold forging the Dunelt to accept the 130 hub. I'm just a little paranoid about not getting it even.

It will fit in my schwinn, I know. It's already taking a 130mm 7 speed hub that I'm using single-speed, but I'm ready for a second bike. (Im not even finished the first! How sad is that?)

but it has the suzue basic hub. thats a waste of money.

Second that!!!

Don't know if somebody suggested this yet but here:

http://www.chucksbikes.com/

Second that!!!

Third, spend money on wheels that will last.

Phil