Bicycle Mechanics - CHEAP 700c rims!

I am looking to get wheelbuilding practice... does anyone have any ideas on super cheap rims I could build up? Dirt cheap, I mean... as long as it is 700c. Cheapest I can find it arouind $40. I just want this to learn with. Any help is awesome! :)

I would imagine the best bang-for-buck would be buying pre-built wheels, perhaps some used ones, taking them apart, then rebuilding.

That's what I did for my first build (EDIT:tore down an old wheel and rebuilt it, that is. saves the headache of trying to get the right length of spokes, too).

A $40 rim is a pretty good deal. You'll spend almost that much on spokes for a 36 spoke wheel if you go with cheap spokes.

Here's some cheepo Alex action for $21
(http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=7278&category=139)

Tubular rims for $9.00 !!!
(http://shop.vendio.com/benscycle/item/2021839190/?s=1284796562)

Here are some models starting at $13:
http://www.niagaracycle.com/index.php?cPath=123_380&sort=2a&filter_id=&sort=3a

You could also check at local bike shops or clubs to see if someone has a stack of old worn-out rims. I frequently have a rim or two lying around where the braking surface has worn too thin so I've relaced the hub and spokes to a new rim - but the old rim could still be used for practice. I'd expect there to be someone near you who also has some old rims they'd be willing to donate.

Might just ask around at a LBS if they have any rims they are chucking due to wear, damage, or other problems. Just make sure it's not too damaged to hold tension.

If you are starting out I would NOT recommend getting a used rim that has any damage or issues that would prevent it from being laterally and radially true. If it is damage no matter what you do to it, you will never get it to be true and you will not learn anything from it. If the used wheel has a rim that is true to start with, then that is a good place to start.

Sun CR 18 are a good deal. easier to build a wheel with a better quality rim
that is round and flat, so things go together easier..

Otoh You could buy a wheel, take it apart one week set all the parts aside for a week ,
and see if you can put it back together again, the next week.

Amazon lists Alex aluminum rims starting at under $10 in 700C size. Order several to reduce shipping per rim as due to size they are not cheap to ship.

http://www.amazon.com/Alex-REDLINE%C2%AE-xCE500-700c-Black/dp/B000QSZS6M/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1284951809&sr=1-20

or

http://www.amazon.com/Alex-RP15F-Rim-700C-Silver/dp/B000A44SJU/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1284951809&sr=1-23

Personally I would want a strong and useful wheel when done so suggest a Sun or Alex true double wall construction rim such as the Alex DM18, Sun CR-18 or Sun M-13 rims. These are listed on Amazon in the $19 to $26 range and can produce decent wheels when done. The Sun M-13 is a narrow rim for 28mm or narrower tires and the Sun CR-18 is wider and a good touring or city bike rim.

Use decent components and even a first wheel building attempt can be a good wheel that can provide years of service.

Use decent components and even a first wheel building attempt can be a good wheel that can provide years of service.

But that will reduce the oppertunity for practice.

But that will reduce the oppertunity for practice.

Not necessarily, depending on the number of bikes you have. Right now I am building two dynamo hub front wheels and a Shimano SG-7R46 geared hub rear wheel.

Yeah, buy a cheap prebuilt wheel , take it apart and rebuild. Shop at REI? Complete wheels starts at $30. http://www.rei.com/search?cat=4500146&sortby=Price+%28Ascending%29&hist=cat%2C4500146%3ABicycle+Wheels