Blanche Dubois here . . .
 

Hi fellow Bike Forums folks, I am a lucky guy who was recently given a 1986 Team Fuji frameset by a fellow BF member. This will be my first time building up a bike with 700-sized wheels. As all my bikes are older and use 27" rims, and I am blundering around looking for an inexpensive wheelset that uses rim braking. The bike originally came as follows: Freewheel - 6-Speed Suntour Winner, Hubs - Suntour Cyclone (Sealed; 36 hole), Brakes - Dia-Compe 500 GX calipers, Rims - Ukai 700C alloy gunmetal, Tires - Vittoria Zaffiro

Could any of you let me have the benefit of your advice and any recommendations? I saw these Aeromax ones on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XOJD9A...v_ov_lig_dp_it
- but Fakespot (a web service that checks the likely accuracy of reviews) indicated that they might be a little over-hyped.

Many thanks!

I've bought several sets from https://bicyclewheelwarehouse.com and I've been very happy with what I received. I've bought, 27" wheels with coaster brakes, 26" wheels (one set with tewo speed kick back) and three seta of 700c wheels.

Great!
 

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5fabf16def.jpg
1986 Team Fuji frameset
Hi JMPierce, thanks so much and will take a look.

Relying upon the kindness of strangers is what we do here.

Ha ha you got it! Even though I can't spell "Dubois"!! The outfit recommended by JMPierce appears to be pretty good . . .

Another reliable and reasonably priced source for wheels is https://velomine.com/.

Albion , a consideration with the wheels you linked to is that rear spacing is 130mm while your current frame is likely 126mm, and you'll also need a cassette. I take it that you're not concerned with originality, so perhaps it's an opportunity to upgrade the parts from what might have been on it back in the day?

That's not a Stella - it's not even French.

I think Blanche would ride a French frame (Peugeot maybe) with Nervex Dubois lugs!
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b0260cfd4f.jpg
from CR, and that means it's trademarked!

Hi Nlerner, this is exactly the kind advice I need and thank you so mush for taking the time to write. My knowledge of bikes is of those older than 1980 so anything you can tell me about this charming frame and its potential to be brought into a semi-current spec would be most gratefully received.

For the wheels, I measure 127mm rear (maybe a little bent), 99mm front (should be 100mm?). I would, as you suggest, definitely want to try a cassette as all my experience is with freewheels so that would be something new for me. I'm not sure how I can find a wheelset that would fit the older spacing but take a cassette! The derailleurs would be my other concern (the machine has downtube shifters), as I have a nice set of Dia-Compe side-pulls from a donor bike, and can probably find some aero levers somewhere, and the contact points should not be a challenge. I do have Suntour AR F/R derailleurs and a Sugino VT crankset that have seen very little service if this might not result in too much of a mongrel . . .

Velomine does sell 700c wheels with spacing that would fit your frame and a rear that takes a 6- or 7-speed freewheel:

https://www.velomine.com/index.php?m...sekiadg29bdeb5

Definitely try with what you have in hand first and then see what you need to improve performance or to attend to aesthetics. You might find that bike doesn't fit right and rides like a lead sled, so no use investing time and money into it until you're sure it's a keeper.

However, since the OP says he'd like to try a rear wheel with a cassette (meaning a freehub and not a freewheel) that will be very hard to find NEW to fit the 126/7 rear spacing. Either shop for a nice well-kept vintage set that uses the shorter spacing (can be done but will take some careful shopping and time) or spread the rear 3mm (not much of a spread) so you can select from all the new 130mm rear wheels with freehubs/cassettes that are all over the market. You can even use a 7S cassette with a spacer on the freehub body, or from 8S to 10S (or often 11S) without a spacer.If you search for Sheldon Brown's instructions for DIY rear spreading he makes it pretty easy. Or if you doubt your abilities take it somebody you can trust. Or just go with a freewheel, keep the frame as-spaced.

Fixed.

Many thanks!