Blario

Hello everyone,

I got my first road bike a month ago and I'm here looking for some advice.

I'm building a wheel to use exclusively with an indoor trainer. I got a slightly used Vittoria Zaffiro training tire and I was searching for some cheap wheel/cassette options online.

I'm very new to this so I still don't have a basic knowledge on compatibility when it comes to bike components so my questions are:

Are all 700c wheels compatible with 700c bikes? I have read that the rim width can play a part in this. I have a Giant Defy 5 and the wheelset I was looking at is this one:

Wheel Rear 700 x 25, WEI-AS23X, QR Alloy FW 5/6/7 spd Silver Hub, 14g UCP spokes, 36H

This is a 7 speed compatible 700c wheel, does it look good for a Giant Defy?

Is there any compatibility issues with this wheel and and a cassette of this type?:

Shimano Acera HG41 7 Speed 11-28t Cassette

And finally, would this work with a 8 speed Shimano Claris? I found a couple of threads and it seems that 7 or 8 is going to be compatible, 9 and up not compatible.

Sorry for the multiple questions, I'm sill a bit confused and on a limited budget, so I would not want to waste money on non compatible parts.

Thanks in advance for the help!!!

Homebrew01

Yes, mostly. There are different hub widths, but assuming you are talking about a standard, modern road bike, then the hubs are 130mm, and 95 % use rim brakes. Disc brakes obviously need to be on a frame for discs.

NO
Wheel Rear 700 x 25, WEI-AS23X, QR Alloy FW 5/6/7 spd Silver Hub, 14g UCP spokes, 36H

That's for "vintage" bikes with 126mm hubs and a freewheel, not a cassette.

You have a 7 speed bike ?
Shimano Acera HG41 7 Speed 11-28t Cassette
How about telling us the exact bike you have now. How many speeds ? What year ? What level components ?
You need to match up the "speeds" of your shifter, cassette and chain.

CafeVelo

Defy 5 has 8 speed Claris. You need a shimano compatible, 8-10 speed wheel made for rim brakes. The stock wheels on your bike aren't particularly nice, I would buy nicer wheels and use the one that came with it for a trainer.

Blario

Thanks for the reply, it's a 2015 Giant Defy 5 with Claris components.

Blario

Got it. I didn't consider upgrading the wheels but maybe I'll go to my LBS to see if I can find a good deal... thanks!

fietsbob

A trainer can be a place for one of those captive air tires or tube replacements, On a Bike they roll a bit heavy ,

But on a trainer Its to be a Workout anyhow, right? so their molded foam High density stuff may be perfect.


But Anyhow this is a Home Trainer specific Tire . https://www.conti-online.com/www/bicy...rainer_en.html

Blario

Yup, I just got a Vittoria Zaffiro trainer tire! ($18 on Ebay). Now I just need to complete the package with wheel and cassette.

fietsbob

I see 3 sizes.. thinner & wider 700c.. + a 26"

Just get the same freehub type as Is on the bike, so you can keep using the same chain and cassette together .

so Own the cassette lock ring tool and a Chain whip to hold it still while you unscrew the ring.

Blario

Got it, so I need a specific tool to mount the cassette on the other wheel. The more you know, the more you realize you don't know, right?

Thanks everyone for the help. I think that for now I'll see how good I get in swapping tires on the same wheel, then if it becomes too annoying I'll consider getting a better wheelset, I think that could be a good strategy.

Thanks again!

Homebrew01

Yes, you need a lockring tool and large adjustable wrench to mount a cassette. You also need the above mentioned chain whip to remove the lockring.

GravelMN

Ask around your LBS and/or bike co-op. It isn't uncommon for people to upgrade wheels and have an entry level but still plenty good for the trainer set around. It is also not uncommon for a front wheel to be damaged in a collision leaving a perfectly good rear wheel. If the owner replaced both wheels, you're in luck, if the bike was "totaled" but the rear wheel is still usable, you might be able to get it as a cheap donor bike.