Bicycle Mechanics - Alex Rims

I just bought a 2010 Specialized Crosstrail and it wasn't even a month before some one stole the wheels off of it. The Specialized technical specifications describe the rims as Alex Z-1000, 26", single wall, 36 h. I found those exact rims on the Alex website, but there was no explanation of how to purchase them. Of course, I don't have to get the exact same wheels I had but I did really like them. I have come across other Alex Z-1000 wheels but there specifications seem different and I don't want to buy something incompatible. My bike is a 21 speed hybrid with 700c wheels. If any one here could tell me were I could find the best possible replacement for my wheels I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

Alex Z1000 rims are cheap, basic, single-wall rims, and the manufacturer doesn't sell directly to consumers. They really aren't anything special and definitely aren't worth going through much time or expense to acquire. The compatibility of the hubs is far more important. Any other brand and model of 700c rim will work fine, and in most cases will be the same or better quality than your old ones.
Since the bike is still new, I'd talk to the shop you got it from and see if they can cut you a deal on a replacement set of pre-built wheels. I'd give you a sympathy discount if it were my shop. Also, they're the ones who have to support your warranty, so it's best to make sure they aren't going to have a problem with the replacements.

this is a good replacement at a great price. FRONT http://aebike.com/product/dimension-value-series-1-700c-formula-32h-alex-y2000-silver-sku-we8674-qc30.htm For the rear wheel you need to find out if you have 130 or 135mm rear spacing, you can do this yourself with with a ruler measuring the distance between the insides of the dropouts. You say it was a 7 speed so it was probably a freewheel on the back and not a freehub casette.
I'm 90% positive it is the following
130mm freewheel http://aebike.com/product/dimension-value-series-1-700c-formula-freewheel-130mm-32h-alex-y2000-silver-2.0-silver-br-3x-sku-we8675-qc30.htm

If it is 135mm spacing on the back, the above wheel will still fit in and work fine.


FWIW, I have these on my road bike and they ride great. The other thing you will need to purchase is a freewheel http://www.bikeman.com/FW8140.html?utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=GoogleBase&utm_campaign=GoogleBase

This is a 14-34 7 speed freewheel. The specs for your bike say it came with a 13-34. those are nearly impossible to find and I question if it did come with that. Manf always list specs but change them at any given time. there isn't much difference a 13 tooth small cog would give you a tiny bit more top end. The nice thing about freewheels are that you just put a little bit of grease on and spin it on by hand. you don't need any special tools to install it on your new wheel. The pedaling of the bike will then tighten it onto the hub the rest of the way. this is a very easy do it yourself project. Also, i assume your wheels got stolen because you didn't lock your bike properly so buy a lock and if you are lazy and hate takeing wheels off and/or running chains through the whole bike, buy some security skewers to replace your quick releases. I use pinhead skewers and leave my bike locked up outside in NYC with no issues. http://www.pinheadlocks.com/ had you spent the $80 on these when you bought the bike, you wouldn't be spending $80 replacing the wheels now!

It's a 2010 model bike. I think he probably has a freehub rather than a freewheel.

Nope, it's a freewheel. From Specialized site : Forged alloy, double sealed, ground race, freewheel type, QR

I'm astonished. What would possess them to do that?

I guess that's what it takes to make the $440 MSRP with their advertising budget. ;)

I like the hi-ten handlebar and the cranks, yuck!
SR-Suntour 7-speed Crank Set, square, fully riveted plastic spider, w/ chainguard

Seems like at that price point, they should simplify the frame a bit and hang better parts off said simplified frame. I guess once they're set up to make the current frame, it's just easier to keep on making it, though, and it'll have that signature Specialized look to it.

FYI - The specialized site does say 26" for the rim, but everything else points to it being 700c. (the fork and tire size are both listed as 700c)

I'd try the shop you got it from, and hopefully they'd give you a discount.

Make sure you get everything you need if you're going the online route:
Front wheel
Rear wheel
7 speed freewheel (gears)
rim tape or rim strip (x2)
tubes (x2)
tires (x2)

Abundant 26" & 700c wheel parts to pick from, what do you use the bike for,
and what width tire do you want to use, ?
that will influence the width and weight specs of the rims.

i looked at specs and it listed wheels as 700c, not sure what specs you guys looked at. My gf borrowed her moms specialized comfort bike and I noticed it had the same freewheel on it as the new one I put on my 83 nishiki so I knew they were still using them. the other giveaway was that he said 2010 and 21 speed so I figured had to be 7 speed freewheel in the back.

And again, the wheels I linked to are on my bike and they are great. They are a great replacement for vintage bikes that had old steel wheels. I know many who rebuild would look for a donor bike with alloy wheels but 30 bucks for a brand new wheel is pretty darn hard to pass up especially if your building it for yourself to ride as opposed to flip. I've got about 150 miles on them with no issues and I'm 230lbs. I may have the lbs give them a once over after I put a few more miles on them but so far so good.

160680

i looked at specs and it listed wheels as 700c, not sure what specs you guys looked at.

In the 'Technical Specifications' it does say the rims are "Alex Z-1000, 26", single wall, 36h" but the fork and tires are listed as 700c - which I suspect is correct.

Yep, clearly says 26" rims, but too many other things point to 700c.

Have the same rims as the OP, though have a different bike (http://klassickona.com/oldgold/2006/smoke.htm). Currently running the OEM tires that came with the bike (bought roughly 3 years ago) as well.

Original wheels suck... hard to keep them true, and spokes are braking easily. This wheelset is from 20th century...
I'm also looking for new rear wheel...

This is a 14-34 7 speed freewheel. The specs for your bike say it came with a 13-34. those are nearly impossible to find and I question if it did come with that.

I've seen a number of bikes that list 13-34 teeth freewheels but every one that I've seen in person has 14 teeth. IIRC 14 is the smallest size gear that can be used in a freewheel. I've seen 13-34 (freehub) cassettes but none of them were configured as Mega-Range.

Freewheels with 13T small cogs are readily available. (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=31292&category=1665)

Seems like Suntour had 12T cogs on freewheels, but that was so long ago I may be misremembering.

Double rims are stronger than single rims but not all double rims are as strong as each other. It's determined both by the thickness of the aluminum, the shape of the aluminum, and the design internally of the cross bracing.

Check out bicycle wheel warehouse.

Freewheels with 13T small cogs are readily available. (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=31292&category=1665)

Seems like Suntour had 12T cogs on freewheels, but that was so long ago I may be misremembering.

Back in the day a 12T freewheel was easy to obtain. Went thru many myself. I believe Malliard made one as well.