Originally Posted by FlamsteadHill

So how do I go about getting a new wheel? I have no idea what specs to look for other than 27".

Or is this a "take it to your LBS and let them handle it"?

i'm asking myself if this is a road I want to ride down. If I could find a used wheel for $10-20 and do it myself, ok. But I'm imagining its going to be an easy $100 at the LBS, and where does this end? On today's ride the crank started creaking (or maybe it was the pedals). Then what next?

This was more of an experiment to see if I wanted to get into a road bike. I think I've found the answer (yes!), and this bike will not be it, mostly because it is geared way too tall for my ability in most of the terrain I ride. But I thought if I could ride it the last month or two of the season it would help give me a good idea as to what I want and don't want in a new bike.

I guess if the wheel isn't going to just fall apart I'll probably keep riding it as is and dump it on Craigslist next spring for whatever I can get out of it

Originally Posted by FBinNY

While some here disagree, I believe (based on experience) that the wheel can be brought to a point of riding decently (nowhere close to perfect) so you can ride it with no or at least less noticeable thumping. The place to have that done at a reasonable cost would be a bike co-op, if there's one near you, or at an old school "dirty fingernails" bike shop. Explain that you don't want or expect a miracle, just get it decent so the thumping isn't this bad.