Replacing wheels
 

Hi everyone.

I am trying to refurbish an old french bike-boom era bicycle, model name "Liberia". It's pretty similar to an old Peugeot model. It's a steel frame bike, with mafac brakes and simplex dérailleurs. I am thinking about replacing the wheels/rims to the bike- the ones I have now I believe came with the bike, and are steel themselves, quite heavy, and more than a little rusty. They are size 27 1/4, made in France. Does anyone have any suggestions about a lighter and more modern set that I could buy or look out for? Thanks to anyone who could shoot me some advice.

Try these - decent and very reasonably priced:

Weinmann 27x1-1/4, 219, Front, Q/R, Silver, Alloy, Wheel
http://www.bikepartsusa.com/bikepart...?item=01-82945

Weinmann 27x1-1/4, 219, Rear, QR, 5-6 speed, Silver Alloy Wheel
http://www.bikepartsusa.com/bikepart...?item=01-82947

Niagara sells some really cheap alloy rims with quick release and stainless spokes, for under $30 each: 26.39 for the front, $27.59 for the rear. Tough to beat. I would just buy whichever ones are the cheapest, delivered to your door. Make sure to get alloy rim, quick release axle, and stainless spokes. The Weinmanns above look like a good deal as well.

www.niagaracycle.com

For those of us on a budget, picking up inexpensive "donor" bikes for parts is not a bad idea. Instead of spending about $75 on for wheels for a modest bike...pick up an older bike with alloy Araya, Ukai, Rigida or Weinmann rims and quick release hubs for about $25. The alloy rims are lighter, and the brakes grip better on them in the rain. Swap parts back and forth and then sell off, or give away, the $25 donor bike. You can get a nice donor bike with any size frame. Also look for one that has older Sun Tour deraileurs, so you can get rid of the Simplex stuff.