Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Where can I get a cheap FG/SS Wheelset?

Hey guys, just arrived here, new to the forums. Well the other day, I just picked up a WalMart Thruster bike, in the Green/Yellow/Blue-Indigo paint scheme, wanted the Black/Red/Yellow, but they were all sold out. Anyway, this is my first FG/SS and it was cheap for around $110, even looking for individual parts was much more expensive, so I plan on building on this. This will be a fun project.

First thing is first, where can I get the cheapest set of wheels 700c, for this bike? New or used works just fine with me. I just need something normal colored to cover the colors of these wheels. I have already planned to add drop bars or a bullhorn, and that should be it. Everything else on the bike is "usable" for now. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

www.velomine.com

Fewer options, but also very cheap, but not as cheap as just getting Thruster wheels for $100 and getting an entire rest of the bike for free ;)

http://www.cutebikes.net/

Fewer options, but also very cheap, but not as cheap as just getting Thruster wheels for $100 and getting an entire rest of the bike for free ;)

http://www.cutebikes.net/

It's tough huh? I cannot find anything for around $50 or less? I don't get why WM did that, the colored wheels would cost more than the regular silver or black colored wheels.

Also, have you ordered from the place before? Are they reputable? For $15, the pedals and strap don't look to bad. My first priority right now, is to spend the least amount of money, to make it look less and less like a WM bike.

You might find something around $50 used, not new though.

It's tough huh? I cannot find anything for around $50 or less? I don't get why WM did that, the colored wheels would cost more than the regular silver or black colored wheels.

Yeah.... you're not gonna find a new wheelset for under 50 bucks....

It's tough huh? I cannot find anything for around $50 or less? I don't get why WM did that, the colored wheels would cost more than the regular silver or black colored wheels.

Also, have you ordered from the place before? Are they reputable? For $15, the pedals and strap don't look to bad. My first priority right now, is to spend the least amount of money, to make it look less and less like a WM bike.

I haven't ordered from Cute since I was eventually lucky enough to get wheels for free, cog for $3 and lockring for $25

Keep in mind that the cheap Cute wheels come with 16T fixed cog and freewheel, gotta get cog and lockring separate @ Velomine.

Velomine does have $65 rear wheels, also needing cog + lockring, though.

You might find something around $50 used, not new though.

Yea, I will search around for that. I mean stock, it is not just the color of the bike wheels, but how wide they are sitting on 700x38s, way too wide, if the wheels could take 28's, I would have half a mind to keep it like that but probably not. I mean even my normal bike runs on 28s.

Check it out:

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/9859/photoiiy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/839/photoiiy.jpg/)

Here is a complete wheelset with 28mm tires included ... $105 :thumb:
(Freewheel 16t Steel 1/8" cog and lockring included)
http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=1917

259511

259512

Here is a complete wheelset with 28mm tires included ... $105 :thumb:
(Freewheel 16t Steel 1/8" cog and lockring included)
http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=1917

259511

259512

Thanks for the kind words and all, but this makes me feel bad now. For what I paid of the bike, and with the upgrades, it is like I may as well return it and just get a Kilo TT or some alternative. I was just looking for a fun Fixie Project to get into, and use it as a somewhat normal commuter. I was looking to spend around $150-180 total including the bike. I may have to reconsider this now.

But that is a great deal, new set of wheels and tires, everything is included.

Fortunately for you, Walmart has a pretty good return policy.

They also sell spray paint.

Thanks for the kind words and all, but this makes me feel bad now. For what I paid of the bike, and with the upgrades, it is like I may as well return it and just get a Kilo TT or some alternative. I was just looking for a fun Fixie Project to get into, and use it as a somewhat normal commuter. I was looking to spend around $150-180 total including the bike. I may have to reconsider this now.


Surprised that no one suggested this yet. I was gonna say velomine too of course, until I saw you got a Walmart bike. I wouldn't bother upgrading or investing in that...unless, you ride it to death and end up picking up another frame where you can transfer the parts to.

Surprised that no one suggested this yet. I was gonna say velomine too of course, until I saw you got a Walmart bike. I wouldn't bother upgrading or investing in that...unless, you ride it to death and end up picking up another frame where you can transfer the parts to.

That is what I figured at first as well, for the price I could ride it to death, and get another, and then another. For the price of one decent FG/SS bike, but I was thinking of some light modding to it, to make it more comfortable. So I think I may just keep the wheels for now, but upgrade the Handle Bars and the Pedals, and call it quits there. That should only run me around $50 in upgrades.

Because if I was to upgrade it all, and it gets stolen (happens in my area), I would feel really bad about the upgrades rather than the bike itself.

i get most of my "affordable" items thru my local fg shop: www.junkyrustybikes.net he can build you almost any wheelset you want

i get most of my "affordable" items thru my local fg shop: www.junkyrustybikes.net (http://www.junkyrustybikes.net) he can build you almost any wheelset you want

Are they pretty reliable, I live in NorCal, so are they pretty good with shipping and the whole reliability issue?

yes, call em ask for Jeffrey...he deals with a lot of shipped items...he has built me about 5-6 wheelsets for different bikes and all held up

What's wrong with the stock wheels, again?

What's wrong with the stock wheels, again?


The color apparently...

Pro-tip, buy the bike you want, it's always cheaper.


Pro-tip2: swap the front and back tires, the colors wont stand out as much if the tires match the rims.

He's also worried about their ability to hold 28mm tires. Since he's already got some 28mm tires I'd try one on the rear, @ around 80 psi and see if it holds. I think they're painted steel hoops so they might blow off but there's only one way to find out.

Once you get it up to 60 psi, add 5 lbs at a time and inspect bead to see if it's about to blow off.

I weigh 145 ATM and can run 80 in 28s no prob.

They're aluminum, according to the Wal-Mart site. Should be fine for high-pressure tires.

lol thruster

He's also worried about their ability to hold 28mm tires. Since he's already got some 28mm tires I'd try one on the rear, @ around 80 psi and see if it holds. I think they're painted steel hoops so they might blow off but there's only one way to find out.

Once you get it up to 60 psi, add 5 lbs at a time and inspect bead to see if it's about to blow off.

I weigh 145 ATM and can run 80 in 28s no prob.

I am pretty sure they won't because the outside measures around 20mm wide, while the inside measures about 27mm wide of the rim.

I am pretty sure they won't because the outside measures around 20mm wide, while the inside measures about 27mm wide of the rim.

I'm going to assume the 27 was a typo and is supposed to be 17.

It will hold 28's. No problem.

I'm going to assume the 27 was a typo and is supposed to be 17.

It will hold 28's. No problem.

No, i got it reversed, 20 inside, 27 outside.

That'll work, too.

Wow, those are some thick sidewalls. I think 5mm delta between inside and out is the highest I've seen.

20mm inside? I'd go for it. Just keep an eye on the bead.

I think most 28s will work on those rims. I've had some Performance Forte 28s that are skinnier than my Panaracer 26s and had some old Hutchinson 28s that were super fatties.

Just test thoroughly. Don't take it to the local Thruster Crit without lots of test riding to make sure they hold.

Off chance 25s may work? Thy are much cheaper.

these wheels are $279 and comes with a free bike: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/track.htm

Off chance 25s may work? Thy are much cheaper.

What tires are you looking at? Zaffiros and Dynamics are the same price 23/25/28 where I shop.

+1 to Aristo. You're gonna hit $280 in upgrades in no time.

If the difference in price between 700x25 and 700x28 tires is important to you, maybe you should wear out the stock tires first.

If the difference in price between 700x25 and 700x28 tires is important to you, maybe you should wear out the stock tires first.

That's what I plan on doing for now. So far I got a pair of pedals for $12, and looking to spend another $20 or so for a drop bar or bullhorn. And that should be it for now. Although I want to upgrade the brakes, any recommendations for those?

I think we need to do a little Thruster thread merging here...

Good new everyone!! I am returning the bike. I actually bought another one on Amazon for a similar price.

let's see it man! Post a link.

let's see it man! Post a link.

I got one of these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004V36FW4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

A little under $140 shipped after 20% off.

I got one of these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004V36FW4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

A little under $140 shipped after 20% off.
Shoulda kept the thruster. j/k i think.

hmmm, never heard of those. Based in Parsnippany, NJ. Very interesting.

It's got the Denali style seattube...

Shoulda kept the thruster.

Why? After all parts and upgrades, I would spend much more on the thruster than this. Or well, and equal amount of cost. But I was not a big fan of the color of the wheels. And the cheapest next wheelset is atleast $50.

hmmm, never heard of those. Based in Parsnippany, NJ. Very interesting.

It's got the Denali style seattube...

Reviews looked/look decent, and it has an aluminum frame.

All parts except the hubs and tires are no-name. Joytech hubs might be an upgrade from thruster. This one has gigantic tires too, but I guess they're not fruity colors.

Denali style seattube and only one frame size makes me feel kinda funny like it's Denali frame with different dropouts.

Why? After all parts and upgrades, I would spend much more on the thruster than this. Or well, and equal amount of cost. But I was not a big fan of the color of the wheels. And the cheapest next wheelset is atleast $50.
I'm just joking. At least you won't be riding on a bag of skittles.

Specifications:


Weight: 26.5 pounds
Frame: Handcrafted Tig welded steel frame with horizontal drop
Seat Tube: 56 centimeters center to center
Top Tube: 56 centimeters
Fork: Tig Welded 1 inch threaded
Rims: Alloy single wall 32 hole with stainless steel spoke
Hub Rear: Joytech alloy 16 tooth freewheel and fix gear, bolt on
Hub Front: Joytech alloy high flange, bolt on
Tires: Kenda Black 700 x 32
Hub: Rear flip flop
Brake: Alloy Side Pull
Crank: Steel 3-piece 170mm 44 tooth steel chain ring
Bottom Bracket: Loose ball and cone, English thread
Pedals: Alloy cage with toe clips
Handlebars: Steel Road 42.5cm wide
Stem: Alloy Quill 1 inch 90 deg x 100mm
Seatpost: Steel 25.4
Seat Collar: Alloy
Kickstand: Steel
Bar Tape: Cork
Assembly required; professional assembly is recommended
Will fit riders 5 feet, 8 inches to 6 feet tall
Stand over clearance: 31 inches

Specifications:


Weight: 26.5 pounds
Frame: Handcrafted Tig welded steel frame with horizontal drop
Seat Tube: 56 centimeters center to center
Top Tube: 56 centimeters
Fork: Tig Welded 1 inch threaded
Rims: Alloy single wall 32 hole with stainless steel spoke
Hub Rear: Joytech alloy 16 tooth freewheel and fix gear, bolt on
Hub Front: Joytech alloy high flange, bolt on
Tires: Kenda Black 700 x 32
Hub: Rear flip flop
Brake: Alloy Side Pull
Crank: Steel 3-piece 170mm 44 tooth steel chain ring
Bottom Bracket: Loose ball and cone, English thread
Pedals: Alloy cage with toe clips
Handlebars: Steel Road 42.5cm wide
Stem: Alloy Quill 1 inch 90 deg x 100mm
Seatpost: Steel 25.4
Seat Collar: Alloy
Kickstand: Steel
Bar Tape: Cork
Assembly required; professional assembly is recommended
Will fit riders 5 feet, 8 inches to 6 feet tall
Stand over clearance: 31 inches



If you read the reviews, a lot of them say it is aluminum.

All parts except the hubs and tires are no-name. Joytech hubs might be an upgrade from thruster. This one has gigantic tires too, but I guess they're not fruity colors.

Denali style seattube and only one frame size makes me feel kinda funny like it's Denali frame with different dropouts.

Yea, but not as gigantic as the 38s on the Thruster. I was thinking the Black/Yellow Denali as well, it is even cheaper, after 20% off, only a little under $130. But I do not want to mess with geared bikes anymore, just wanted something simple, so that I do not have to make as many adjustments with cables and difference parts.

I'm just joking. At least you won't be riding on a bag of skittles.

Oh, I did not get it, sorry about that. I should have though, as I see that now.

If you read the reviews, a lot of them say it is aluminum.

Amazon reviews are meaningless.

After "Premium Rush" movie comes out there's going to be a lot of Thruster threads I think.
maybe a thread for Thruster, Denali, Micargi, etc bikes is in order and they can be directed there for answers.

I really don't understand how its better to get the cheapest bike imaginable for $90 and spend 200-300 on it while completely skipping the option of just getting a beginner bike that costs 300 - 400.

Glad you're riding and I hope the new one is better for you.
Friends don't let friends ride WalMart.

After "Premium Rush" movie comes out there's going to be a lot of Thruster threads I think.
maybe a thread for Thruster, Denali, Micargi, etc bikes is in order and they can be directed there for answers.

I really don't understand how its better to get the cheapest bike imaginable for $90 and spend 200-300 on it while completely skipping the option of just getting a beginner bike that costs 300 - 400.

Glad you're riding and I hope the new one is better for you.
Friends don't let friends ride WalMart.

That's kool, man looks like a good movie. Jamie Chung is HOT, and I like the main character, he was good in 50.50.

And that show where he was an alien.