deaonerox

I ordered a set of AlexR500 wheels from BikeIsland:

2008 Alex R500 700C with Tires

They were first listed on eBay, but after a little research, I found their website where they were listed for $10 cheaper and included shipping. Ordered the wheelset and they arrived UPS. I put them on my bike, but the rear wheel wouldn't spin smoothly. I took the wheel to the LBS where I do business and the mechanic told me that the rims were (possibly?) reconditioned, the reason the wheels were so cheap. And in making the wheels, the cup was tightened too much and was making it so the hub wouldn't turn. Something like that...

I contacted BikeIsland and they said that everything they sell was new and doubt there being a problem with the hub, but would exchange anyway. Anybody ever heard of something like this happening? Is this unusual? Is it a manufactures problem? Could it have been damaged during shipping?

huerro

It sounds like the cones were too tight (I can't imagine what that would have to do with the rims). I bought a bike with wheels like this from performance. I was told (meaning take it with a grain of salt) that machine built wheels are often overtightened to mkae it easier to lace them.

It does not sound like too big a deal (assuming they spin well now). I think it's generally a good idea to check hubs, tension, etc. on internet purchases.

Little Darwin

I think the wheels were new, and just the cones were too tight.

I would always repack the bearings on a cheap set of wheels anyway, so I wouldn't worry about it.

I believe that Bike Island is an arm of Bikes Direct... So, it is probably basically an extra set of wheels that was destined for one of their bikes.

deaonerox

Thanks. Bike Island told me that they wheel will become smoother after about 20 miles. But, uhm, well, I ride for 20 miles if they're not going to spin...

DieselDan

Well then, turn the cones back about half turn instead of complaining about them.

deaonerox

I'm not complaining about them. I thought it was obvious that I didn't know what the problem was, let alone how to resolve it. Or even whether it was something I could do myself. My mechanic returned them to me unfixed, indicating that he wasn't able to service it, leading me to believe that it was a matter that was out of my hands.

But thank you, DieselDan for your helpful, albeit snide, suggestion.