Okay all, I have a 1988 Trek 1000 that I just picked up. Suntour 4050 Edge components, Matrix (stock I believe) wheel set. I took it to the LBS to have the wheels trued today and they called me this evening. okay I knew there was a wobble in my rear wheel. They said the rear wheel is in need of attention. These are matrix wheels that came original with the trek 1000 that I got (it's a 1988 mind you) they said that I should look at replacing the wheel, they said bearing are bad, the axle is not spinning true in the hub. maybe missing a bearing? Is this something I should tackle and fix myself. I'd like to keep the cost down, so fixing is more optimal than replacing. This bike is not going to be raced or anything, however I do want it reliable. What am I getting into tearing apart this back wheel??

Worst case scenario is you take it apart and can't get it fixed or back together. In that case you replace the wheel which is what they are trying to sell you anyway. My bet is you can fix it. Roger

I am a newbie, but pretty handy with tools so I plan to take a look at it myself. I like your worst case senario. I did some searching and haven't found any Matrix wheels like what is on it, so I would have to go after a complete new set. I found some Vuelta wheels, they say sell for 450-600 for around 150. But I know nothing about these wheels other than they have Shimano Sealed hubs and they are made in Italy. Also says the wheel is 700X18mm wondering if a 700X25mm tire will fit on this wheel

I concur with Roger. Good luck with it, and post again if you need any kibitzing from the rest of us.

SheldonBrown.com has a useful tire size / rim width compatibility chart.

I rode a 1988 Trek 1000 with Matrix TitanS wheel set on it for almost 20 years. Eventually, the eyelets began to crack and let go, rendering the rims useless. I would consider a new wheel set if I were in your shoes. I traded my Trek 1000 in against a modern Trek 1200 and although I love the new bike, I still miss my old girl. Those bonded aluminum Treks have an excellent ride quality.

What kind of hub is on that wheel? If it's a Maillard Heliochromatic (often found on 80s Treks), that might have scared off your LBS. But I agree that you might as well see if you can overhaul it yourself before springing for a new wheel.

Neal

thanks for all the feedback, I will check and see what kind of hub it has when I pick it up today, I am assuming I should just spring for a new cassette as well if I get the new wheels? Only problem the 700X25mm tires I just got I'm told will not fit the 700X18 wheels I am looking at

Step 1: find a new LBS. Overhauling a rear hub is really just routine maintenance. My LBS charges $25 for this. Telling a person they need a new wheel because the bearings need to be replaced is like telling a person they need a new car because it needs new sparkplugs.
Follow the instructions on Parktools.com and you shouldn't have any problems. After you have successfully done the rear, you should probably clean and lube the front as well. This should generally be done annually.

maybe I opened a can of worms......

I called the LBS they told me that the wheels are true and the bike needs hub service, there is a grinding and popping when the wheel spins. They said 75-100 for a new wheel. even more to replace the hub. He said that is if get a new set of wheels and run a shimano cassette (which is what the wheel takes that I am looking at) it might not work because I have suntour components (it currently has suntour cassette) since it was meant to have a suntour. Someone who has experience with this help me out. It doesn't pay for me to get the new wheels, spacer and cassette if it it not going to shift and work? any info would be greatly appreciated

IIRC your bike has a FREEWHEEL and you can transfer it to a new wheel if it comes to that. Have them take your rear hub apart first--cones and rebuild should run $25ish, as posted above. If they can't rebuild your hub (due to internal damage) they should certainly be able to get or build you a new rear wheel that will take your freewheel.

And yes, avoid the Shimano cassette type hub.

I forgot to add the rear hub is a malliard 500, atleast that is what it says on it

Then you have a freewheel (nlerner: NOT Helicomatic) for sure. If your LBS can't get cones for it, try another LBS. They're out there somewhere. Try an old Trek dealer.

I remember it seemed for some of the Maillard hubs we could only get complete axlesets (cones, axles, and all the spacers and locknuts), particularly those that had dustcaps pressed on to the cones. I think the 500 is one of those. Shouldn't cost much more than just a couple cones.

I took some advice on the new LBS and found one right in my city, trek dealer, when I explained the situation to him and told him what the other shop was telling me, he said he could do it much cheaper. I am taking it today after I pick it up from the other shop. This second shop I have found is right in the city I live in, I just didn't know about it The other is a bigger name shop that can afford to pawn stuff they don't want to do onto others. They pretty much just lost my business. He said I should have it back in rideable condition by the weekend. I may just give him the front wheel to do too?! thoughts?

I would look for cracking around the eyelets or in the eyelets themselves. It is my understanding that once they go, the rim is toast and then you are looking at the cost of a new rim and relace or a whole new wheel.

I looked them over pretty well when I refitted new tubes and tires, and they seemed to be okay, but I will have the other local LBS have a look see too.

just making sure there is no chance a shimano cassette will work with suntour components as another previous poster mentioned

My Trek had all Shimano components, including a Shimano cassette on the Maillaird hubs.

mine does not, it has suntour 4050 edge components

got the bike back from one LBS and took at to the 2nd LBS last night, they are trying to get it done asap. I did find out the wheels I have are Matrix Titan. They are going to look at the rear hub. I ride it this summer, and maybe then switche everything over?

got the bike back from the other shop today, cost $3 for new read hub bearings, his tune up cost was half that of the other shop, and he also included the rear hub work in the tune up cost. Pretty good deal in my book. Got my look pedals today (used for 12.79 shipped) and also my shoes. Put the cletes on and gave it a quick trial run. The weather here isn't the greatest. I also picked up a air pump, with repair kit and also a 120Lb reading guage that mounts right to the bike. need to mount my cateye speedo yet, and put my new brake pads on. Oh I also got a little gear pack that velcros onto my seat/seatpost.

I'll try and get some pictures tomorrow.

Here's a link to the specs on that bike.

https://www.vintage-trek.com/images/trek/Trek88_1.pdf

I'll have to look at my old Matrix wheels and look for cracks. I guess it can happen even with 36 spokes.