Originally Posted by
unworthy1
another little tip: I had some cheepo replacement wheels (no-name hubs laced to a wide Alex alloy rim, cost maybe $40 each from a LBS) and the first thing I did was open them up to repack and adjust them. These hubs had ball bearings in RACES which I immediately replaced with (new grade 25) loose balls, then new grease (Finish Line) and adjustment. They spun 100% better than before...but as soon as I could afford better wheels I replaced the replacements.
So, the rims I picked up turned out to be 36-spokes, Alex AP Rim, and Quando Sealed-Bearing Hubs.
GOOD: They are pretty true and seem well tensioned; The Alex rims seem sturdy - they are the same rims spec'd on $400-$600 mountain bikes. Also, though these are single-wall, they have a u-shaped profile that should make them significantly more resistant to flat-spots.
BAD: These sealed bearing hubs are soooo gritty feeling compared to hubs on the Shimano Araya wheels they are replacing. Even the one with the pitted cones is smoother feeling (though it clicks audibly with every revolution). I had asked if they'd be "cup and cone" hubs or sealed, the LBS had told me "cup and cone". He was obviously wrong. I REALLY wish I could put some new grease and smoother bearings in there, although it might not help if the cones and cups are roughly machined...
OVERALL: It's nice to have wheels without flat spots, major 'hop', clicking hubs, and spokes that are so dead they are impossible to true anymore. However, I am disappointed at the roughness of these modern sealed hubs. I didn't expect dura-ace quality, but I expected them to be moderately smooth by virtue of being brand new. Overall, it's still far better than the beaten-to-death old wheelset and for a cheap price!
Based on the model number, here they are:
http://www.statruwheels.com/wheeldetail.php?id=118
http://www.statruwheels.com/wheeldetail.php?id=115