Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Wheelset Sizing

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Wheelset Sizing

Old 06-12-12, 06:46 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
PJCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Northampton, MA
Posts: 420

Bikes: 198? Sport Racing Frame of unknown origins, 1992 Marin Bear Valley, 1970 Raleigh Sport

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Wheelset Sizing

If I want to replace my entire rear wheelset, do the specs have to be exactly the same as what I am taking off? The old wheelset is 26x1.50HE VP20, but finding anything that seems similar is proving to be difficult. Is there another size I can use?
PJCB is offline  
Old 06-12-12, 07:21 PM
  #2  
Really Old Senior Member
 
Bill Kapaun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Mid Willamette Valley, Orygun
Posts: 13,822

Bikes: 87 RockHopper,2008 Specialized Globe. Both upgraded to 9 speeds.

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1774 Post(s)
Liked 1,230 Times in 851 Posts
That's a pretty generic rim on older (at least) mountain bikes.
It gives a lot of latitude in choosing different tire widths.
IF you want something quite similar, look for a rim that's about 20MM wide.
Bill Kapaun is online now  
Old 06-12-12, 07:43 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,544

Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter

Mentioned: 139 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5703 Post(s)
Liked 2,431 Times in 1,344 Posts
The only critical dimension is that it's a standard mtn 25x1.xx rim (559) rim. That's critical because affects brake height and any change can take the rim beyond the reach of your brake shoes. Rim width is the second factor, and here there's more latitude & you might want to choose the rim width according to the tire width you plan to use. Here's a link to a chart that will give rough guidelines.

Note that rim width can also affect the brakes, since braking is best if the side of the rim is the right distance from the canti post. However there are ways to compensate, so fee free to change the rim width to best suit your needs, and you'll compensate the brake later.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site

An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.

Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.

“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN

WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FBinNY is offline  
Old 06-13-12, 07:00 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
PJCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Northampton, MA
Posts: 420

Bikes: 198? Sport Racing Frame of unknown origins, 1992 Marin Bear Valley, 1970 Raleigh Sport

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
That was definitely helpful, thanks. I think I'm going to try and stick with what I have, I'm upgrading the freewheel sprockets first.

Originally Posted by FBinNY
The only critical dimension is that it's a standard mtn 25x1.xx rim (559) rim. That's critical because affects brake height and any change can take the rim beyond the reach of your brake shoes. Rim width is the second factor, and here there's more latitude & you might want to choose the rim width according to the tire width you plan to use. Here's a link to a chart that will give rough guidelines.

Note that rim width can also affect the brakes, since braking is best if the side of the rim is the right distance from the canti post. However there are ways to compensate, so fee free to change the rim width to best suit your needs, and you'll compensate the brake later.
PJCB is offline  
Old 06-13-12, 10:29 PM
  #5  
bike whisperer
 
Kimmo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Melbourne, Oz
Posts: 9,533

Bikes: https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=152015&p=1404231

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1520 Post(s)
Liked 716 Times in 508 Posts
Originally Posted by PJCB
rear wheelset
Do you have one of these too?

Wheelset refers to a pair of wheels.
Kimmo is offline  
Old 06-14-12, 08:51 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
PJCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Northampton, MA
Posts: 420

Bikes: 198? Sport Racing Frame of unknown origins, 1992 Marin Bear Valley, 1970 Raleigh Sport

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Haha, whoops! Good catch.

Originally Posted by Kimmo
Do you have one of these too?

Wheelset refers to a pair of wheels.
PJCB is offline  
Old 06-14-12, 12:07 PM
  #7  
Really Old Senior Member
 
Bill Kapaun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Mid Willamette Valley, Orygun
Posts: 13,822

Bikes: 87 RockHopper,2008 Specialized Globe. Both upgraded to 9 speeds.

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1774 Post(s)
Liked 1,230 Times in 851 Posts
IF you are replacing the wheel, why not go to a Free Hub and cassette?
It's a win-win.
Cassettes come in a wider variety of cog combinations.
Free Hubs aren't prone to bending/breaking axles.

https://sheldonbrown.com/free-k7.html
Bill Kapaun is online now  
Old 06-14-12, 12:19 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
PJCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Northampton, MA
Posts: 420

Bikes: 198? Sport Racing Frame of unknown origins, 1992 Marin Bear Valley, 1970 Raleigh Sport

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bill Kapaun
IF you are replacing the wheel, why not go to a Free Hub and cassette?
It's a win-win.
Cassettes come in a wider variety of cog combinations.
Free Hubs aren't prone to bending/breaking axles.

https://sheldonbrown.com/free-k7.html
That is what I'm trying to get to, eventually. I'm mostly trying to get it on the road right now, and without replacing the actual wheels/hubs I can get away with just replacing the freewheel sprockets. I'm not sure if I'm going to keep upgrading this bike, or just find another.
PJCB is offline  
Old 06-14-12, 12:48 PM
  #9  
Really Old Senior Member
 
Bill Kapaun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Mid Willamette Valley, Orygun
Posts: 13,822

Bikes: 87 RockHopper,2008 Specialized Globe. Both upgraded to 9 speeds.

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1774 Post(s)
Liked 1,230 Times in 851 Posts
The hubs aren't compatible, so if you get a different FW now, you won't be able to use it when you upgrade to a free hub wheel.
It'd save money in the long run to upgrade both now.
You can find rear wheels for about $45 online.

What's your dropout spacing?
Bill Kapaun is online now  
Old 06-14-12, 01:19 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
PJCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Northampton, MA
Posts: 420

Bikes: 198? Sport Racing Frame of unknown origins, 1992 Marin Bear Valley, 1970 Raleigh Sport

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bill Kapaun
The hubs aren't compatible, so if you get a different FW now, you won't be able to use it when you upgrade to a free hub wheel.
It'd save money in the long run to upgrade both now.
You can find rear wheels for about $45 online.

What's your dropout spacing?
I have no idea what my drop-out spacing is. Sorry! But I know they aren't compatible, my wheels aren't in terrible shape as it stands, but the FW is rusted out and so is the chain.
PJCB is offline  
Old 06-14-12, 01:38 PM
  #11  
Banned.
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 937

Bikes: CCM Torino 76

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
A new freewheel can cost $10 or $15. A chain similar. If this is all you need then get it. Wheels with freehubs and cassettes have advantages, but if you have wheels in generally good condition already then replace what needs to be replaced and go ride.
DCB0 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
blaw.
Bicycle Mechanics
8
09-25-17 10:22 AM
Deontologist
Road Cycling
7
05-07-15 10:01 AM
Chief Brody
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
9
05-15-12 12:45 PM
Ils
Classic & Vintage
6
08-08-11 04:44 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.