kingston 

There is no more classic looking wheelset than silver WI T11's with TB14 rims. That was at the top of my list, but I chintzed out and went with old silver campy hubs. Royce Venus hubs are another very classy looking option also matched to the TB14 rims with a similar price tag. I think colored hubs would look tacky on your bike. Just my opinion of course.


Small world. I went to college at Northwestern and lived in Evanston for about 10 years after that. I go there pretty frequently for one reason or another mostly related to the University.

Cyclist0108

I think you are right, it would probably look tacky. Polished sliver is less expensive, too.

My main hesitation is on my current WI wheels (with a Shimano cassette), I get an aperiodic noise occasionally (which is absent when I have the CK wheelset on the bike). I might just not have the lockring on tight enough or something. The palls also sounds slightly more more metallic that the CK buzz, which I am not sure what to think about. But they are a work of art, and are made in Petaluma, CA.

The CK hubs in polished silver also look very nice, and Chris King has treated me very well in the past. But it would be significantly more expensive (> $1K for the wheelset), and then there is a $50 Campy surcharge.

kingston 

Funny story. I was riding the night-time leg of a 400k with a guy this summer, and I asked him what rear hub he was running because it was so loud. He told me it was a white industries, apologized for the noise, and promised to stop coasting so much. The CK hubs are even worse in the noise department IMO although that wouldn't stop me from getting a set if that's what I wanted.

Cyclist0108

When I first got my bike with the CK hubs, I actually emailed my frame builder because I thought there was something wrong with it. Now I have the "angry bees" ring-tone.

Unfortunately, it is much more quiet now. I guess it is time for some maintenance.

T-Mar

I thought that was King's patented "anti-wheel-sucker" feature.

Andy_K 

That's one of the things I love about Shimano hubs, they don't announce to the world when you are coasting.

ppg677

I agree. The cheap Miche hubs are also whisper quiet when coasting.

I can't stand loud freehubs. It is obnoxious.

Cyclist0108

Is it possible to remove the wrap-around label in the middle to make it look more natural, or is that part of the finish?

ppg677

Yes, the stickers easily peal right off. That's exactly what I did.

kingston 

It's a shame they went with that red anodized locknut

ppg677

Agree. That was my major hesitation. But since my bike is White/Blue, I've come to like that tiny accent.

There's also got to be a way of stripping the red anodization off...

kingston 

Didn't think of that. Suppose you could use oven cleaner and steel wool or sandpaper to remove the anodized finish. I have done it with rims before.

Cyclist0108

OK, I've moved beyond the brake calipers now. I figured this would get me in the mood for ordering wheels:

kingston 

Here's an update on my vintage steel athena build. If you don't mind, @wgscott, I'll post updates to this thread instead using another one. While I have all the parts for the build, I have just installed these little NOS Campagnolo dropout screws I bought off ebay this week. I have another bike project I told myself I have to finish before I can start this one.

Cyclist0108

@kingston (or anyone else): Please feel free to post.

My first "adult" bike was a Miyata 1000 (a touring bike). I loved that thing.

BTW, I found using a wadded up ball of aluminum foil to polish the chrome works wonders to restore it.

Cyclist0108

Speaking of thread proliferation: https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-me...-clip-wtf.html

I'm still worried I don't have the crank on quite right. I'll try to get a good picture of what concerns me.

kingston 

I bought the stupid tool because I'm pretty sure I'll screw it up on the first try and figured I'd eventually need the crank puller to replace the bearings at some point anyway.

Cyclist0108

My square taper bearings looked fine after about 22 years of malignant neglect ...

I was hoping to get away with not having to take it off again in this lifetime.

kingston 

I've had similar experiences with square taper bottom brackets, but if the campy cups are anything like the shimano HT2 bottom brackets, they'll need to be replaced every other year.

Cyclist0108

Wheels are arriving from Velo Mine at the end of the week!

I decided to get H+ Sons rims and WI hubs...

kingston 

You, sir, are a true conneseur of classic looking wheels.

Cyclist0108

I have a huge emotional attachment to this bike, so it is a bit irrational. My goal is to make it as nice to ride as anything can be that doesn't have disc brakes, Di2, and with my clothes on.

ppg677

Just remember that modern Brifter hoods will change the fit of the bike by effectively increasing the reach compared to 1987-vintage brake levers. You can compensate with shorter-reach handlebars and a shorter stem.

Cyclist0108

Thanks. I am actually looking forward to having them. I already replaced the vintage Modolo brake levers with Origin 8 ergonomic Campy-like levers/hoods about a year ago, and the stem and bars, to see if I liked it better. It is a major improvement.

ppg677

Just wait until you brake with new rims and the Campagnolo Athena skeleton calipers. I've never used a (road) bike that has stronger braking including some discs that I've tried. It is seriously impressive.