WOTWU

I recently acquired an 86-87 lugged Bianchi Super Grizzly (frame and fork only) that I'd like to build up as an all rounder/gravel bike in a Rivendell-esque fashion. Are there lighter 26in wheels that are tubeless compatible and intended for cantis or V brakes? I really want to avoid a disc brake conversion.

merziac

Good plan, ef the discs, most rim brake rims will work, there are less 26in rims nowdays but still plenty, not sure if there are many light, sturdy, tough ones, light would be my least important ask.

We need pics, good ones and plenty of them plz.

Bianchigirll 

Yes pics are a must. I sometimes miss my Grizzly but it was too small and needed to go, plus I wanted to simplify things and have an all 700c stable.

The Golden Boy 

The world certainly has changed... wondering about finding 26" rims... and wondering about not having to do a disc conversion...

I just think of 26" rims being everywhere- and since they're fairly 'modern,' they're all aluminum... so finding a decent 26" set was always pretty easy. I don't have a disc brake bike, and the thought of doing a conversion hasn't even crossed my mind. I guess things are different now.

Salamandrine 

What's wrong with the wheels it came with?

Prebuilt wheels for MTB that aren't disc? Probably not. Times have changed. Also, those are probably 130 OLD wheels on there, which is no longer the standard for MTB. You could lace new rims to those, or build up new wheels yourself. That's what would have been done in the 80s. Nobody bought "wheelsets", they did not exist. Complete assembled wheels were only for cheap bikes.

Or just get new tires and don't worry about it. Tires are most of it, and easy to swap.

due ruote 

I would probably look for a used Rockhopper or similar as a wheel donor.

tricky 

You could go late '00's XC racer style and do some Mavic Crossmax wheels and get rim brake and tubeless but those won't match your desired aesthetic. There isn't much out there for quality pre-built 26" wheels these days. There is the classic Rhynolite/Shimano Deore rim combo but it's not light, think 2300 grams for the wheelset:

https://www.velomine.com/index.php?m...57s06gm3gsu3q2

To get all your criteria, you are going to have to go used and get something like XT or XTR hubs on Matrix Single Tracks or Mavic M231s (pretty narrow so could affect your tire size) or go custom built. With the exception of Mavic rims, you'll need to convert all of these to tubeless. Tubeless conversions are a well-worn path and kits are available from Stans, Orange Seal, etc.

I just found this guy through Instagram. His MTB collection is top notch. You might be able to find some other ideas on blingy and/or light wheels by looking through his collection. https://www.steelfightsback.com/

Salamandrine 

That's what I run on my Rivendell Clem, but homebrewed because I wanted silver non disc hubs. rhynolites aren't that heavy, 550g IIRC. The non disk Deore hubs are also considerably lighter. So it wouldn't be a fly, but could be reasonably light.

I'd have to look it up, but a late 80s super grizzly is probably going to be spaced for 130, or modern road hubs. That would be a better starting point. I don't see an off the shelf solution for this, other than finding some vintage wheels, or building up new ones.

tricky 

Yeah, you are right. This site claims 550 grams. https://bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/Su...eore-disc.html Still not a 410 gram open pro, but not as heavy a rim as I thought. Maybe that's why they felt pretty good commuting with some Rene Herse tires despite the overall wheel weight being up there.

@WOTWU what's the eventual intended use? If you are commuting, touring or mountain bike trails and you want low maintenance, I would do Rhyno Lites. If the Super Grizzly is mostly going to be a garage queen with occasional rides, you could get away with something more weight weenie. Knobbies vs a light slick like a Rene Herse will affect how light your wheel setup will be too.

merziac

OP has F+F only.

merziac

You should put an ask in the ISO-WTB thread for wheels, somebody here may have a set they will let go.

Check at a bike co-op if you have one near you and CL for a donor bike that could give you other parts as well, especially small fiddly bit that can be a PITA to source,

Even if you can't find a nice set, you can get started, much of this can be one step forward, two steps back when fussing with sourcing parts for a build.

If you have a donor to work off of it can help you by swapping a part or showing you what won't work so you can get the right part, a bird in the hand and all that.

Splendidtutiona

I think I had an older pair of those wheels (pre-disc brake hub). pretty sure I ran one of them over with my old Jeep on accident. Didn't even need to be trued. heavy as all hell though.

In Baltimore the local Co-op will lace wheels for $50. I think they'll even walk you through how, so there should be a way to get decent wheels built for not an exorbitant amount of money. I have a mis-matched pair of wheels on a bike....maybe that wheel didn't survive the jeep... whatever, they're still tough as nails.

Salamandrine 

Ugh, oops. That's what comes with reading posts before coffee...

merziac

No worries, we're always sooo happy to help.

ryansu 

OP Since you have a F+ F only I might suggest finding a donor MTB with a nice XT or LX component group to transfer the wheels and components off of. Might be cheaper than buying all that individually and it seems like MTBs are coming down in price a bit since the covid crazy market peak. and yes PICTURES!

dunkleosteus

BWW has a tubeless rim-brake wheelset that comes in 26 https://bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/St...wheel-set.html . I just got one for my own build. The wheels seem light, look nice, and a 26x2.3 tire seated no problem on them. I still haven't taken them for a ride yet but I'm stoked on it. Probably getting a donor bike would've been an easier and cheaper way to get this build rolling, but I wanted to try out some new components on it, like a wide cassette and clutch derailleur. Wheel see if it pays off!

Salamandrine 

A couple points:

Those late 80s Super Grizzlies are super nice mountain bikes. One of the very best from that period. If you wanted to spend money to outfit like a new Rivendell, it wouldn't be wasted on it. That said, of course you can save money by finding a donor bike, sifting through coop parts, pilfering peoples' junk bins, etc.

Building wheels is fun and you can get what you want. Rhynolites are plenty light, but with custom you can go lighter if you want. Keep in mind tires make more difference than the wheels overall.

'Converting' to disc brakes isn't really practical. You'd need a new fork, and/or to get the frame and fork modified by a frame builder. Canti brakes work very well. Unless you're riding in mud all the time, function is kind of a wash.

It would be a good idea to measure the space between the rear dropouts to find spacing. You'll need to decide whether to leave the frame spacing at 130 (if it is), or realign it to 135 to use modern MTB hubs.


I'm not too worried. It's hardly the first time I've stuck my foot in my mouth.

WOTWU

I only have the frame and fork. I don't have a wheelset for this build yet.

merziac

He got that after the fact.

WOTWU

As far as my use of the bike, I definitely want to use it to its full potential. Hit some gravel, ride a couple centuries and bike to the mountains.

Also I'm considering Lauterwasser bars, sacrilege?

Still debating whether to go tubeless or the standard wheel route. Slowly working on getting the parts in order.

WOTWU

Any recommended derailleurs for 9 speed 11-40t cassette?

bOsscO

Go with Campy if you can. I have a soft spot for putting Euro parts on Euro bikes.

WOTWU

Out of my range. Also this Super Grizzly is Japanese. Any other suggestions?

bOsscO

Should be able to find a 90's Shimano Deore XT

Salamandrine 

I assume you want it to index? Shimano Deore M591 are pretty solid, but recently discontinued. Maybe Acera.