Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,639
Likes: 1,106
From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
I just finished four Fujis myself in the last week, a 81 Royale, a 81 S12S, a 83 Touring Series IV and a 84 del Rey. So I certainly like the Fujis.
+1 I would go for alloy rims. Niagara sells wheels for about $25 each: alloy rims, stainless spokes and quick release hubs. Your other "thrifty" choice is to look for a donor (cheap bike where you can borrow the wheels). Or put a WTB 27 inch alloy wheels on your local C/L. I would probably go the NIagara route.
thrifty bill