Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - New wheels, or rebuild old ones? help needed?

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SSSwede
10-18-04, 04:54 AM
Ok, my winter project is to get new wheels instead of the old ones with poor steel rims. New wheels will cost a little to much and since there is absolutely nothing wrong with the old hubs I am thinking of buying new rims and spokes and build new wheels on the old hubs, fun and cheap, a win/win scenario ;-). Well here is my problem, the old hubs albeit not worn or broken and no problems with the bearings can be crap, I donīt know. They are marked Shimano VIA, low flange aluminium ones probably around 20 years old (guess) freewheel threaded not cassette. Should I use them or buy new ones? Any advice thankfully received.

bostontrevor
10-18-04, 06:34 AM
People rebuild with old hubs all the time. If you're happy with how they're performing, then why not? If you're concerned about bearing wear, you could ask your bike shop how much it would cost to rebuild them. Or you could even go buy the appropriate bearings and try to do it yourself. If you succeed, rebuild around those hubs. If it fails, new ones!

If you reuse the hubs you probably just want to give them a good cleaning and visual inspection to make sure that there's no damage to the spoke holes. If you rebuild them, examine the bearing race and cones to make sure they aren't too badly worn either.
SSSwede
10-18-04, 08:21 AM
Thanks, I have checked and repacked the rear hub, also changed the axle from QR to solid and it seems smooth, I will check all the spoke holes as You suggest.

legalize_it
10-18-04, 08:27 PM
when you rebuild the wheel, use the same pattern, and in the same direction as the original lacing.
SSSwede
10-19-04, 12:34 AM
Ok, Iīll do that, because the hub has been shaped that way earlier? or is there another reason?
legalize_it
10-19-04, 08:37 AM
you are correct.
mcahill844
10-19-04, 11:07 AM
Around here you can probably buy a complete wheel set (going through some of the sales on ebay) for not much more than what rims and spokes cost.

Sweden may be different
SSSwede
10-19-04, 12:05 PM
Sweden is expensive, I would have to pay about $175 for a new rear flip flop wheel, around $150 for a decent front wheel. There is never any fixed wheels on the Swedish equivalent of eBay. I kind of like messing with the bike also and would like brag over a beer about being able to build my own wheels. Next trip to USA would mean a massive increase of bike parts in my spare box though..