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Classic & Vintage - Any good sources for decent coaster brake 26" wheels?

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screaminDOHC

06-20-11, 06:35 AM

I'm restoring an old 1950's Ross cruiser for my wife to tool around on. The frame/fork/bits/pieces are in the paint shop. I attempted to save the original wheelset, but the rust was just too far gone on the wheels (as some of the chrome is gone, and the pitting is excessive).
Does anyone have any sources for a decent (and not too expensive) wheelset?

Thanks!

wahoonc

06-20-11, 06:39 AM

screaminDOHC

06-20-11, 06:55 AM

Is the rear hub usable? I haven't seen any current model coaster brake hubs that give me a warm fuzzy feeling. However Niagara Cycle Works (http://niagaracycle.com/) is one place to start looking.

Aaron :)

From what I can tell the rear hub is usable. Front hub is usable and stamped as being "Ross". I know it's not a collectors bike, but I figure if I put a few bucks into restoring this, it's better than buying a Chinese made cruiser from Wally World.
The rear hub also has a grease fitting. Any clues as to what type of hub it may be? I could pack it full of grease and see how it is, but from a visual inspection it seems fine (although I don't know much about coaster brake hubs).

I know nothing about building wheels though. Is it cheaper to buy just a rim/spokes and build up a wheelset with the original hubs? I was hoping to re-use as much as possible rather than putting some junk on it.

Here is the rear hub:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/msrugis/IMG-20110619-00302.jpg