Originally Posted by
Retro Grouch
There are a LOT of differences between your two back wheels.
The key one is the "over locknut dimension". Your new wheel is a little wider than your existing wheel. To make it fit you have to choose between force fitting it everytime that you reinstall the wheel and permanently bending your rear triangle so that it will fit.
Your existing rear cogs aren't going to fit on the new rear wheel. At the very least you are going to have to buy a cassette and a spacer.
The new hub is a superior design to what you have now. The main advantage is that it is going to be much less prone to bending the rear axle.
Relaceing a new rim onto your existing rear hub is certainly possible but, if you are going to pay somebody to do it for you, it probably won't cost out very well. Bike shop prices vary - sometimes by a lot for this kind of work. I'm thinking typical prices would be: rim - $50.00, spokes - $32.00, labor to overhaul hub - $25.00, labor to lace wheel - $60.00. That's $167 just for the rear wheel.
If it was my bike I think that I'd try to flip the Shimano wheelset (frankly, it's going to look a little funky on your otherwise classic bike anyway) and look for another rear wheel that will fit your bike. I'm sure that your local bike shop will be able to hook you up for under $100.00.
Retro, I think you called it correctly. Thanks big time. Also, I learned that the wheelset I purchased is not junk, just a little too advanced for what I have. I would have to make MAJOR modifications to my bike to make them fit. Not acceptable. I will try to flip the wheelset and anything I get out of it, will go toward getting the rear wheel rebuilt.
Thanks again,