cyclochica

Since Mother Nature will not cooperate with my need to ride, I decided to give Sweetness an overhaul/upgrade. I am putting 105 components on her and need to know what to look for in a new wheelset. I know I need wheels, but don't know what criteria I should use when making my decision. Thanks for the help.

dirtbikedude

They should be of a circular shape and able to hold a tire on.

Seriously. Decide what type of riding you will be using them for. Racing, touring and so forth. Also, do you want light weight, strength and how much are you willing to spend.

pokey

I think I recall that sweetness is 6 speed in the rear.That probably means the rear dropout spacing is 126mm.Current wheels are built around hubs using 9 and 10 speed cassettes that require 130mm dropout spacing.With a steel frame you can have it professionally spread,or just cram in the wider hub and ride it. It would help to know what speed 105 stuff you have and if you are upgrading evrything in the whole drivetrain including shifters, and number of speeds in the rear.Almost anything is possible or dooable,but a proper answer requires more info. As far as the wheel question itself goes, www.coloradocyclist.com and www.excelsports.com have custom wheels built around shimano ultegra 8/9 speed hubs and mavic Open Pro rims for about $200 a set. For the average recreational rider that more than does the job. You can spend alot more for marginal gains and also shop on line for lesser wheels for fewer $$.

cyclochica

Thanks for the links Pokey.

Yes, Sweetness is a six speed, and yes I am replacing the entire drive train. I was thinking of going with a 9 speed, since I have until May 1 to get used to the change. I am a purely recreational rider, just trying to stay in shape for tennis and do a few charity rides.

Would my LBS be equipped to spread the rear dropout spacing or should I look to take the frame someplace else? Also right now I have 27" wheels on her, will I notice that much of a change if I go to 700C wheels?

fore

you may have to find new brakes if you switch to 700C. i put 700C wheels on the frame i just built up, which was designed for 27", and finding a brake that had a reach long enough took some time.

one unfortunate thing about having to find a longer-reach brake is the braking force is more weak than it would be otherwise.

cyclochica

Would I be better off with a new set of 27" wheels?

pokey

Possibly tough to find good 27" wheels and 9 speed hubs. Maybe a shop could find decent rims and build wheels around 9 speed hubs.In the end,you are probably better off with 700c wheels.Tire selection is alot beter, and tires and rims will be lighter. Better lighter wheels are good to have. Many shops could spread the dropouts.It's actually a do it yourself project if you know how.As for the brake reach,check your brake pads and see if there is enough downward adjustment to drop the pads 4-6mm.Some calipers have enough adjustment laditude,some don't.Shimano now has long reach dual pivot brake calipers with decent stopping power,but they are fairly expensive.

greywolf

this is true the touring/ rain commuter im restoring has beut. 27" rims & old105 hubs but its hard to find any 1/2 decent tyres, altho they still make the cheapy,s i ,spose they,l have to do with tyre liners in

RainmanP

Cyclochica,
I have run into the 27"/700c issue on a bike I am fixing up. Unfortunately, some regular mid 80s or so 105 brakes I had would not quite reach to fit 700c so I am getting some inexpensive Tektro for the time being. I saw the longer reach Shimano brakes to which Pokey refers, but they were about $35 each. You may get lucky. If you have just 4 mm of additional depth adjustment your current brakes may make it. I wouldn't have minded keeping the 27" wheels on this particular bike, but I am setting it up as a fixed gear. My fixed gear wheel is 700c so it is cheaper to get new brakes than new wheels.

Since you are a recreational rider you would probably be best served with a pair of pretty plain wheels. The ideal would be to have a pair hand built at your lbs, but you can get good 32-36 spoke wheels from nashbar.com or performancebike.com at very reasonable prices.
FWIW,
Raymond

MichaelW

700C wheels will also lower your bottom bracket by about 1cm, so make sure you have sufficient pedal clearance on cornering.

I use those long-drop Shimano dual pivot brakes, they used to be a part of the 105 groupset. They have plenty of stopping power, even with loaded panniers on steep hills.

My LBS built up some commuting wheels for me, with Mavic MA3 light-touring rims, DT butted spokes, and a Shimano Altus hub. Most people associate low-end Shimano hubs with crappy wheels, but they can be just as strong as Ultegra, if not so sweet and light.

cyclochica

I am supposed to pick up my new components on the 23rd. I think I am going to make a trip to my LBS and see what they have to offer in wheel selection before then. I think new set of plain wheels will suffice.

I am trying to decide what to do with the old components, they are still in great shape. Plus since I was so generously helped, it only makes since to pass them on to someone else. If I wanted to have a bike built for someone else, what information do I need?

pokey

Keep the inside pedal up.Prevents lotsof road rash.

pokey

If you are talking about the whole drivetrain and wheels too,frames buillt for 700c wheels might not handle the 27s,front derailer clamp diameter requirement might be different,BB threading could be different.

Kev

Since you are looking at getting a new frame and moving the old components across for someone else to get a bike.. why don't you just get a new frame for yourself?

cyclochica

Because I love this frame. I tried road cycling when I got out of college and hated it, so I went into MTB. Then when my doctor told me to give up on running I decided to give road one more try. When I tried this bike for the first time (minus the crank arm mishap) it was absolute love.

I went through hell to get this bike together, so there is an emotional attachment. Besides, I made a pact with myself: I finish grad school with honors, I can buy myself a brand new road bike.

I treat Sweetness better than my MTB, and that was my first LBS bike purchase.