Lazyass

So I have a 27 inch wheelset with Malliard small flange hubs. The rear rim is dented more than I would feel safe riding with and I've been looking to buy some new rims/spokes building them myself. I think I've decided i want to switch to 700c, I want to run Rivendell Jack Brown tires.

I like the polished Sun M13's. During my research I also found a complete wheelset with these rims, Quanta (never heard of them) sealed bearing hubs and DT Champion spokes for $119. That really isn't a whole lot more than what new rims, 72 spokes and nipples would cost me.

On one hand I'd like to keep the Malliard's on the bike because, well, it's vintage. But the bike is a '87 Schwinn Traveler so it's not like a high end, rare bike or something. But the Quanta hubs do look nice, the wheelset is a good price and I won't have to go through the trouble of building a new wheelset (I do have experience).

Has anyone heard of these hubs, and what would you do? I'm tempted to just buy these wheels, order the Rivendell tires and be done with it.

eschlwc

"I've been looking to buy some new rims/spokes building them myself."

yes, do that with sun rims, sapim race spokes and your maillard hubs.

sced

Looks like a very good deal. Go with them if you are in a hurry to get the bike back on the road, else get the parts and rebuild your hubs...or you could do both.

jcb3

The 13s will limit your tire to 28 width or so (13mm internal rim width). If you are looking to get into a 32 width or more, you may want to consider the cr18 (18mm internal width). I just built a set up on normandy luxe hubs for panaracer pt 32s on my px10 - they look and work great.

Good luck

joe

bikemig 

Those look like velomine wheels; the price is very good. I bought a set of wheels from velomine and thought the build quality was very good. I can't tell you anything about the hubs but I'd buy those wheels if I needed an inexpensive set of replacement wheels. JCB makes a good point about the width of the rims.

LeicaLad 

I needed an emergency set of wheels, so got a pair of these from Velomine. I got the wider CR18 rims.

After the emergency, I hung them on the wall for some months. One day, I had some nice Grand Bois tires. . . and no wheels. SO, I put them on these wheels.

Over a year later, this set of wheels gets moved between bikes the most. Obviously, it is because of the tires, but these wheels have, at least, 3K+ miles on them.

They've stayed true and spin great. The hubs are the same, which is to say it is all about the stock sealed bearings.

These are great wheels, and dirt cheap to boot.

ymmv, of course.

Lazyass

Ah, good info. I can get them with the CR18's for $120. They just aren't polished, but that's not a huge deal I guess.

Lazyass

Thanks. I'm looking at the same ones on Velomine as well.

BradH

I really LOVE the look of M13 rims but in my experience this is really good advise. A 700-28 measures about 2.5 to 3 millimeters wider on a CR18 or similar rim vs a rim with a narrow width like the M13. If I'm putting something like Jack Browns on I want all the volume I can get. The last few CR18 rims I built up were 530 grams or so, not as light as a M13 but not excessively heavy either.

jimmuller 

Tough call. Since I started building my own wheels I've really enjoyed the process and the idea of riding on my own.

Building is an activity you do over a glass of sippin' beer. But not too much or you'll end up re-stringing half the spokes!

I've seen wheels like that at online vendors, never had reason to try them. My first reaction is that for a low price the hubs may not be quite up to traditional "Campy" standards but unless you expect to ride them 10,000 miles it may not matter. How soft are the flanges? I dunno'. The bearings will be as good as any other sealed cartridge bearings, I expect. Same thoughts say if they are machine-built they may not be as true as you could do yourself but you can always de-tension then re-tension them if it seemed necessary. Last thought is whether the new skewers will be as nice as older ones. They don't look C&V-ish but if they hold okay then it doesn't matter.

If it was me I'd build new wheels on the old hubs. You get your choice of rims and spokes and will have fun. But it will take your time. It may not save any money. Order new ones and you may have them sooner.

"Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes." - Frodo Baggins

Lazyass

Well if I built up my Malliards with Sapim Race spokes, the rims, spokes, nipples, everything would be over $150. But I would be riding my Malliards with better spokes and probably a smoother ride than the straight gauge DT's on the cheap wheels. Decisions, decisions.

jimmuller 

And you may end up with wheel with greater longevity. Figure what the real difference in price will be after shipping and all. Then ask yourself how much that incremental amount more matters to you. If you're on a tight budget then it matters a lot.

repechage

Repack the hubs first. Check the condition of the cones and cups, rear axle.
Sourcing replacement parts for the Malliards is not the easiest task.

icepick_trotsky 

@Lazyass, I have a pair of these hubs in the cassette version from Velomine. Mine are branded "Origin8," but my research seems to indicate they are rebranded Quantas. At any rate, they spin very nicely and were a great deal for the price. I recommend them highly. Also, Velomine has the best customer service in the business. Always very responsive to my questions, and I received them the next day after I ordered.

eschlwc

- sun rims are $70ish shipped from niagara.
- sapim race spokes and nipples are $35ish shipped from danscomp.
- hubs are usually already on hand. there is some opportunity cost.

bradtx

Lazyass, For your Traveler the CR18 wheelset is a good choice and if you are shopping at Velomine they'll be much better than average quality for an economically priced wheelset, IME. The Traveler's wheelset can be rebuilt when there's more time or you've found another bicycle to use them on.

Brad

LeicaLad 

I'm certainly all for building your own wheels. I've built, or re-built, almost all the wheels I use.

That said, I bought these in an emergency when I was away from home and needed replacement wheels ASAP. I was very pleased with the amazing service from the Velomine boys, and was back on the road in no time.

Still, this wheel set has continued to amaze me as an incredible value. Sure, the bike snobs at the concourse will sneer, but who gives a ****? As noted, because I happen to put really nice tires on these wheels, they are pretty much always on one of my first choice riders. And, if not, I swap 'em.

SO, yes, there is much to be said about the joy of wheel building and the attendant value. But these are a fabulous buy. For riders, trainers, commuter, whatever use, they really can't be beat.

I'm also happy to plug Velomine. They've always been of excellent service and respond to even the strangest questions.

Cheers!

Lazyass

Wow, Wheelsmith sells the Race spokes for $1 each. That's where I was looking. Danscomp has them for 40 cents

LeicaLad 

Well, I'll happily plug Danscomp, too.

You must do your own measurements, and know what you want to order when you call. Nothing done online or by email.

But, nice spokes, nice brass nipples, too. The best price known.

You should have several wheel sets for ready use. imho, obviously.

Choke 

Huh? I (and lots of others) have ran wider than 28s on skinny rims for years with no problems. I also remember back in the early MTB days when the hot ticket was a cut down and re-rolled MA2/MA40 rim with 1.95 inch tires.

fender1

+1. I have run 38mm tires on Mavic Open Pro's for a long time (max 28mm tire size) with no problems.

old's'cool

...True dat!
+1
Being the cheap bastard that I am, I've always gone for the 14ga. spokes at $0.25 a pop, brass nipples included.

SkyDog75

I'm running a set of them on my ol' Peugeot UO-8. I haven't racked up thousands of miles on them, but they seem to be well-made.

Barrettscv 

+1

I also have a set of Velomine for freewheels with a 126mm OLD. Mine have Sun 18 rims. These are well made and I would buy another set again.


Sun CR18 Road Bike Sealed Bearing 700c Wheelset 126mm Rear [072774744381] - $120.00 Velomine.com : Worldwide Bicycle Shop, fixed gear track bike wheelsets campagnolo super record vintage bike

RandolphCarter

I also had a thoroughly positive experience when I bought a set of wheels from Velomine - Mavic Open Pro 32 spoke 700C rims with DT Swiss spokes and Shimano 105 (5800) hubs.

The bike I put them on no longer had any usable original components, the wheels were part of a full conversion to a modern 105 group.

If I were you, I'd get the new wheels, Imagine you're on vacation with the bike, and you need to pop in to a bike shop to have your bike worked on. They're more likely to have sealed bearings for the Quanda hubs, than cups and cones for the Maillard hubs.

Since you did such a good job of shining up the original QR skewers, you could use them with the new wheelset.