Hi All --

Care to make a suggestion to me regarding my newly needed wheelsets?

I've got a '77 or so Basso Frame and I'm in search of some nice hubs/spokes/rims to put on it -- my only requirement is that they be sturdy enough for some light touring come summer. I mostly use the bike for 50 +/- mile weekend rides around town, otherwise.

My budget is around $400 +/-

Your best bet is to have an LBS that you have a good relationship with build you a set of wheels. Depending on the cost of the rims and hubs, labor and spokes should run about $150 (mine charges $1 per spoke plus $50 per wheel when I supply the hub and rim, less when the hub and rim is bought through them). So coming in under your budget shouldn't be a problem. I like the Sun CR18 rims, but there are many great choices. Best of luck.

Thanks for the input --

My plan is for my LBS to build up these wheels for me -- I had them build up another set for my track bike and they did an excellent job. I'm a bit unfamiliar with which hubs/spokes/rims to get for road cycling and light touring so I thought I'd just pose the question here for some input before I go to my LBS.

For a 77 Basso I'd look for Campy super record hubs, laced to Fiamme rims, or mavic GP4s.
You can find most of this stuff on ebay and bring it to your LBS to build (or learn to lace your
own!).

Marty

You should be able to get a set of wheels for around $100 on eBay.

"You should be able to get a set of wheels for around $100 on eBay"

What should I be looking for??? Which combinations and brands of rims, hubs, etc -- that would be very helpful

do a search for 'campagnolo mavic' or 'campagnolo wheels' There are some tubulars and clinchers there now, even a set of NOS 28 spoke campy hubs laced to gl330 w/tires for under $200!

Modern rims, IMHO opinion, like the Mavics with machined and welded sidewalls, hold up much better than vintage rims. They dont dent and flat spot anywhere near as easily. Alot of has to do with modern profiles which tend to be much stronger,

If you want a vintage rim any of the Mavic or Wolbers would work well. You can choose from hardened and non-hardened depending on your weight and road conditions. If your heavy and ride on rough roads go with the non-hardened. If you lighter and ride on smoother roads go with the hardened rims.

I would just stay away from new Mavic rims. I don't trust them anymore. I believe they used to make wonderful rims, but sadly, they don't do that anymore.

I've got a set of vintage MA-2's hanging in the garage, but they're laced to Japanese hubs.

Prudy,

First off, do you have 700c wheels? or 27 inch?

Check the hubs you currently have...are they good? Reuse them if you can.

As far as new rims and spokes....trust your LBS. Don't buy used stuff off EBAY because the new stuff is better, and not that much more expensive.

I can't see the clearences on your frame, but new Sun CR-18 rims would suit your riding/light touring needs. But I'm guessing new Mavic Open Pro or Velocity rims might be a better fit for your bike.

Ask your LBS for advice...the'll hook you up with the right stuff. And if you have the money-- Phil wood free hubs are darn nice.

you know i'm not certain if they're 27" or 700cc -- how would I check?

The current hubs are crap and they are too big for the spacing -- so, I will need new hubs as well. I believe the bike has 126mm spacing.

I bought a set of G3 Campagnolo Khamsin wheels, new w/skewers, from PBK last month or so for half of what they cost here. I should have gotten the Vento G3's, they were about $170 for the set. With the exchange rate, I'd check there, too.

If you can find a set of older Shamals or Ventos, they'd be good, or a set of Ypsilons if you can find them. They had a couple of polishable rims, too.

Don't buy new hubs. Won't look right on an old Basso, even if the spacing issue could be solved.

I seem to remember from an earlier thread that you have Campy parts, Athena no? Shop on Ebay for the appropriate vintage Campagnolo hubset, 32 or 36 hole, correct spacing, preferably British freewheel thread, then repack the bearings and take it to the LBS together with Sun CR18 rims, if the frame takes 700.

Save your old wheels, even with crappy hubs. Will come in handy someday I promise you.

Jan

As far as what size your wheels are, look at the tire sidewall.

Use a steel ruler to measure your rear drop out. If your dropout is 126 mm, you could use a modern wheelset. Have you tried to install a modern wheelset in your frame?

I'd stick to modern, new parts, if possible. You'll end up stronger, better riding bike. Ask your LBS-- they'll help you more because they can see the bike.

Good luck,
Terry

This off course is the indisputable truth. Years of R&D gives us faster, lighter and in nearly all cases better bikes today than in the heyday of lugged steel. But..with that as the governing MO for us here on Classic & Vintage what would be the point of Classic & Vintage?

I believe that with experience, and the occasional help from fellow forum members, we can ride our period correct bikes thousands of miles per year, and get immense satisfaction from it. We need to do more diligent maintenance and constantly be on the outlook for both the known and the uncharted weaknesses of our old alloys and steels, but that is certainly part of the game.

That said, I will most definitely agree that an old charismatic frame upgraded to a full modern suit of components is a wonderful thing too. I just prefer the look and feel of the downtube shifter era.

Best, Jan

New wheel sets can save money. I prefer older hubs, packed to perfection, silent and smooth. I've got Rolf's, Equations, and others.
I prefer my DA and Shimano 600 tricolor hubs rebuilt and laced to good rims, period.

jan,

Don't get me wrong-- I like old bikes. There's nothing wrong with riding them as is, or hunting down vintage parts to fix them.

There's a fine art to upgrading old bikes, however. Putting a carbon fork on a lugged steel ride-- that's crap, of course. Fitting a bike with a new, modern wheelset, or new sealed bering headset, without ruining the basic character of the bike-- that's much harder.

Personally, on that bike, I'd go with high flange NR hubs...

I beg to differ. Guilty on two of three counts, though....

Cool!

I'll take a set of Nuovo Record high-flange hubs! Who's got a set???

Thanks for all the replies -- these are all great ideas -- I'm going to measure my spacing tonight to be certain and go from there -- I'll post pics when I'm done!

And, seriously -- if anyone has a set of NR high-flange hubs.......

New Mavic Aksium's 10s Campy $123.68 shipped, in silver or black.
Then use the coupon code for 5% off that.

https://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=W1034

That would pretty much settle it for me. I bought a set of Campy Kahmsin's there 2 months ago for $117, they were going for $250-$275 here.

+1 To Robbie Tunes. Hard to beat!

It's because I care.


really.