How Closely Do Front And Rear Rims Need To "Match"?
04-13-12, 10:01 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 7,639
Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997
Mentioned: 146 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 392 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times
in
31 Posts
How Closely Do Front And Rear Rims Need To "Match"?
Sorry, here is another slightly stupid question.
I made the mistake of buying one (1) used rim and building it into the rear wheel of this project kid's bike, blithely assuming it would be no problemo to find a matching rim for the front.
Err, no.
So, tell me how "mismatched" front and rear rims can be, before it would bug you to distraction.
The rear is an old NOS Matrix Mountain rim, 26" (559mm), just 20mm wide at the braking surface, silver, 36 hole. It is for a kid-sized road bike - the 559mm size fits the little frame and will take a nice narrow tire (I bought 26" x 1.25" road tread tires).
The closest I can find is a Sun Ringle CR-18 in 26" (559mm), also silver and 36 hole, but a bit wider at 22mm wide, and not identical in cross-section, though pretty close. I'll remove the stickers from both rims. I can use a buffing wheel to polish both rims to make the texture/polish level look pretty similar.
I'm thinking this will be good enough, and preferable to hunting for months for a matching Matrix Mountain rim.
You agree? Or have you built bikes with mismatched rims and regretted it?
(I know, this is an aesthetic point. Maybe I'm being way too superficial.)
I made the mistake of buying one (1) used rim and building it into the rear wheel of this project kid's bike, blithely assuming it would be no problemo to find a matching rim for the front.
Err, no.
So, tell me how "mismatched" front and rear rims can be, before it would bug you to distraction.
The rear is an old NOS Matrix Mountain rim, 26" (559mm), just 20mm wide at the braking surface, silver, 36 hole. It is for a kid-sized road bike - the 559mm size fits the little frame and will take a nice narrow tire (I bought 26" x 1.25" road tread tires).
The closest I can find is a Sun Ringle CR-18 in 26" (559mm), also silver and 36 hole, but a bit wider at 22mm wide, and not identical in cross-section, though pretty close. I'll remove the stickers from both rims. I can use a buffing wheel to polish both rims to make the texture/polish level look pretty similar.
I'm thinking this will be good enough, and preferable to hunting for months for a matching Matrix Mountain rim.
You agree? Or have you built bikes with mismatched rims and regretted it?
(I know, this is an aesthetic point. Maybe I'm being way too superficial.)
04-13-12, 10:10 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 3,504
Bikes: 2001 Tommasini Sintesi w/ Campagnolo Daytona 10 Speed
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 145 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 35 Times
in
30 Posts
Here's a chart for "typical":
1. Put the slighty wider on the rear.
2. Put the slightly deeper on the rear.
3. Put the slightly heavier on the rear.
4. Put the ONLY one with eyelets on the rear.
5. Put the ONLY one with double-walls on the rear.
6. $ n++;
...I think you get the picture...
=8-)
1. Put the slighty wider on the rear.
2. Put the slightly deeper on the rear.
3. Put the slightly heavier on the rear.
4. Put the ONLY one with eyelets on the rear.
5. Put the ONLY one with double-walls on the rear.
6. $ n++;
...I think you get the picture...
=8-)
__________________
5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
04-13-12, 10:12 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 3,504
Bikes: 2001 Tommasini Sintesi w/ Campagnolo Daytona 10 Speed
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 145 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 35 Times
in
30 Posts
Look around more, there are lots of 559-17 and 559-18 rims out there to choose from....do some more searching.
=8-)
=8-)
__________________
5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
04-13-12, 10:21 PM
#4
Constant tinkerer
04-13-12, 10:22 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Sioux Falls
Posts: 223
Bikes: Bianchi Road bike, Nashbar Ultegra triple cyclocross, Raleigh full XT hybrid, lugged steel Schwinn, Full rigid Diamondback MTB
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I wouldn't sweat not having the rims match on a kid's bike. If the kid in question is like most, they may give you a reason to do another rim swap in the not too distant future anyway. (They seem to be attracted to "wheel bender" racks, mistimed curbs etc). Keep in mind I come from a "if it works for me I really don't care what it looks like" camp - there are others who are much more interested in aesthetics.
04-13-12, 10:30 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Above ground, Walnut Creek, Ca
Posts: 6,681
Bikes: 8 ss bikes, 1 5-speed touring bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
the simple answer for me is, the match must be exact. i can go with mismatched components, maybe even cranks and tires and hubs for sure, but NO mismatched rims. i had a set of wheels made once and even though the mavic rims had the same model number on them they were different model years and design. i made the builder take one back and redo it (he made a face 
) . it is very, very rare for me to return something.
) . it is very, very rare for me to return something.
04-13-12, 11:21 PM
#7
Passista
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,599
Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaña pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 867 Post(s)
Liked 721 Times
in
396 Posts
They don't need to match at all, at least for the pros.
Last edited by Reynolds; 04-13-12 at 11:28 PM.
04-14-12, 07:28 AM
#8
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,002
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4338 Post(s)
Liked 2,981 Times
in
1,617 Posts
04-14-12, 07:40 AM
#9
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,056 Times
in
635 Posts
If they are the same size and they roll what possible difference can it make except looks. I would like to read a note from anyone that has a logical mechanical reason.
04-14-12, 07:41 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
There has got to be something more important to fret over than whether the rims on a kid's bike match exactly or not. Functionally, no one, not you and not the kid, will notice any difference and it will take a micrometer to tell them apart. If you want to go to the trouble to make them cosmetically look the same, have at it but I think it's a waste of time.
04-14-12, 07:51 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Roswell, GA
Posts: 8,319
Bikes: '93 Trek 750, '92 Schwinn Crisscross, '93 Mongoose Alta
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1438 Post(s)
Liked 1,092 Times
in
723 Posts
Don't over-analyze this, just put the wheels on the bike and let the kid ride. Terry make bicycles with totally different-sized wheels front and rear and nobody blinks an eye https://www.amazon.com/Terry-Bicycles.../dp/B005RBBLI2
Spend the time and effort getting it set up perfectly and let it go.
Spend the time and effort getting it set up perfectly and let it go.
04-14-12, 05:35 PM
#12
Dirt junkie.
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 406
Bikes: Surly Ice Cream Truck, Peacock Groove road bikem, Salsa Fargo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Tony Martin even rode a bike with a tubular rear rim and clincher front during the TT world championships last year, and took the victory. I'm sure roadies everywhere were SHOCKED! So mismatch those rims all you want.
Just don't do the 26'' front and 700c rear. That's tacky.
Just don't do the 26'' front and 700c rear. That's tacky.
04-14-12, 05:45 PM
#13
Passista
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,599
Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaña pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 867 Post(s)
Liked 721 Times
in
396 Posts
Tony Martin even rode a bike with a tubular rear rim and clincher front during the TT world championships last year, and took the victory. I'm sure roadies everywhere were SHOCKED! So mismatch those rims all you want.
Just don't do the 26'' front and 700c rear. That's tacky.
Just don't do the 26'' front and 700c rear. That's tacky.
But this is extreme mismatching:
Last edited by Reynolds; 04-14-12 at 05:51 PM.
04-14-12, 07:25 PM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 7,639
Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997
Mentioned: 146 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 392 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times
in
31 Posts
That looks fine but can you imagine if the fatty was in the front - aesthetic dissonance!
04-14-12, 07:41 PM
#16
Constant tinkerer
04-15-12, 12:25 AM
#18
Retro Grouch
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Santa Cruz
Posts: 2,210
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The truth of the matter is it really doesn't matter. Especially if your talking 20-22mm rims with 31.75mm (1.25") tires.
04-15-12, 12:51 AM
#19
Senior Member
It's a kid's bike.
You and some of the other posters are WAAAYYYYY overthinking this. It's a 2 mm difference which won't mean diddly.
As for removing the stickers and polishing the rims? Go back and read the first line above again..... Besides, if the rims are anodized and you rip that away the exposed alumiunium is simply going to corrode sooner. So just stick the wheel on, call it good and let him/her go ride to exhaustion.
You and some of the other posters are WAAAYYYYY overthinking this. It's a 2 mm difference which won't mean diddly.
As for removing the stickers and polishing the rims? Go back and read the first line above again..... Besides, if the rims are anodized and you rip that away the exposed alumiunium is simply going to corrode sooner. So just stick the wheel on, call it good and let him/her go ride to exhaustion.
04-15-12, 01:08 AM
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 7,639
Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997
Mentioned: 146 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 392 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times
in
31 Posts
Yeah, I've come to my senses. Going to Universal Cycle tommorrow, buying the Sun CR-18 rim with the 2mm excess width, buying a handlebar that doesn't require reaming the stem, buying everything else I need (chainrings, derailleurs, cable, pads, seat clamp), and getting the wheel built and the bike up and running ASAP.
I'm dragging this out too long and he's growing all the while.
Here's the frame we're talking about, BTW.
I'm dragging this out too long and he's growing all the while.
Here's the frame we're talking about, BTW.
04-15-12, 01:24 AM
#21
Banned
Other than Peer pressure, just need to accommodate the right tire..
Ibis made a great Mountain bike in the 90's 24" rear 26" front wheel..
new stuff, a 29" front, 24" rear would be cool..
Ibis made a great Mountain bike in the 90's 24" rear 26" front wheel..
new stuff, a 29" front, 24" rear would be cool..
Last edited by fietsbob; 04-15-12 at 01:30 AM.
04-15-12, 07:56 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
04-15-12, 08:14 AM
#23
Dirt junkie.
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 406
Bikes: Surly Ice Cream Truck, Peacock Groove road bikem, Salsa Fargo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Holy crap that is a beautiful frameset! Post some pics of the complete bike when you finish her, will ya?
04-15-12, 12:02 PM
#24
Banned
the 24/26 Ibis, was a Mountain Trials bike, smaller wheel , shorter chainstays . stronger rear wheel.
04-15-12, 02:05 PM
#25
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,526
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
I believe that bike came with 27 inch wheels, at least the one I had that was identical in size did.
Just double checked the catalogs, in the USA, a 1974 UJ10 came with 27 inch wheels. Perhaps yours is a different model, or from a different era. None of them took modern MTB wheel size (to my knowledge).
Just double checked the catalogs, in the USA, a 1974 UJ10 came with 27 inch wheels. Perhaps yours is a different model, or from a different era. None of them took modern MTB wheel size (to my knowledge).
Last edited by wrk101; 04-15-12 at 02:09 PM.
