Wheels
03-03-09 | 03:00 PM
#1
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Wheels
A little background information:
I have a 1980 Schwinn Le Tour I'm fixing up to make my Daily ride. I took the original steel wheels into the bike shop bike they were all out of wack. The guy calls me after they start working on them and says that the wheels are trued, BUT the spoke tensioning is no good and they are going to have to do a "Major" true so when I start riding the bike they stay true. The $20 job will turn into a $50 one if I tell them to go ahead.
I would really just like to spend the money on new alloy wheels if they are in the $100ish for a pair or less area. It just seems more reasonable since I would be spending half that much to fix up some old heavy lightly rusted steelies.
What do you guys think I should do? Can you point me in the right direction for a decent set of affordable alloys?
I have a 1980 Schwinn Le Tour I'm fixing up to make my Daily ride. I took the original steel wheels into the bike shop bike they were all out of wack. The guy calls me after they start working on them and says that the wheels are trued, BUT the spoke tensioning is no good and they are going to have to do a "Major" true so when I start riding the bike they stay true. The $20 job will turn into a $50 one if I tell them to go ahead.
I would really just like to spend the money on new alloy wheels if they are in the $100ish for a pair or less area. It just seems more reasonable since I would be spending half that much to fix up some old heavy lightly rusted steelies.
What do you guys think I should do? Can you point me in the right direction for a decent set of affordable alloys?
03-03-09 | 03:07 PM
#3
Back In The Saddle
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: NorCal
Bikes: N+1
These should work:
https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/wheels/630.html
The second one down the list. The WE277 5-/6-speed 27 inch Road Wheelsets
https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/wheels/630.html
The second one down the list. The WE277 5-/6-speed 27 inch Road Wheelsets
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In life there are no mistakes, only lessons. -Shin
In life there are no mistakes, only lessons. -Shin
03-03-09 | 03:35 PM
#5
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From: New York Metro Area
Does this bike have some sentimental value? $100 for new wheels for a Le Tour seems a pricey route to take. Couldn't you let it go with the basic wheel trueing and sell it on Craig's List to somebody who could live with those wheels? Or, maybe the shop owner can hook you up with a set of good used alloy wheels.
03-03-09 | 03:38 PM
#6
low end rider
Joined: Sep 2008
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Bikes: 80's. hoarder.
03-03-09 | 03:52 PM
#7
Thrifty Bill
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
There was a recent thread on affordable 27 inch alloy wheels with stainless spokes for under $30 each. Thats what I would go with.
03-03-09 | 03:54 PM
#8
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From: FWB, FL
Bikes: 1975 Schwinn Collegiate Sport, 2010 Mercier Kilo OS
I didn't know there were two kinds of truing. I also thought a trued wheel and good spoke tension went hand-in- hand. Correct me if I am wrong. I would take the :Basic" true and call it good.
03-03-09 | 04:12 PM
#9
Luddite
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Univega Gran Turismo, Cannondale Synapse, Bianchi Aquiletta Folder
Well, a person can do a bad job of *anything*. You can make a wheel straight without having even spoke tension. But I see your point- I also would say that "truing" a wheel involves tensioning and straightening, and an LBS that doesn't agree won't get my business, that's for sure.
03-03-09 | 04:49 PM
#10
Just keep pedalling!
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Spring, TX
Bikes: 1987 Schwinn Circuit, 1987 Panasonic DX-4000, 1984 Peugeot PSV10, 1989 Centurion Prestige, 1973 Raleigh Sprite, 1987 Peugeot Canyon Express, ~1986 Raleigh Capri, 1994 Trek 850, 1984 Centurion Pro Tour 15, 2012 Gravity Zilla
I was at Sun & Ski Sports last night and the mechanic said that a cheap set of alloy wheels costs about $80. So, if you have one near you, it might be worth looking into.
03-03-09 | 05:15 PM
#13
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Does this bike have some sentimental value? $100 for new wheels for a Le Tour seems a pricey route to take. Couldn't you let it go with the basic wheel trueing and sell it on Craig's List to somebody who could live with those wheels? Or, maybe the shop owner can hook you up with a set of good used alloy wheels.
The bike used to be my dads and I've personally overhauled just about everything since he gave it to me. I really like the look of the bike and its ride and would love to keep it. Its a 63cm frame and from my searching, its pretty hard to find a nice bike that size.
03-03-09 | 05:28 PM
#14
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I've been calling around locally and it seems like nobody carries any 27" wheels. Its either 26" or 700c. My last call, the LBS closest to school, said they carry 27" wheels that are alloy. they start at $80 pair and go up from there. I'll check that shop out later today after classes.
03-03-09 | 05:33 PM
#15
Spin Forest! Spin!
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From: Arrid Zone-a
Bikes: I used to have many. And I Will again.
03-03-09 | 05:39 PM
#17
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From: Cleveland,Ohio
It is really a pity the bike shop didn't take a look at the wheels, give a quick 'charmin like squeeze' to the spokes and let you know up front that they needed more than a quick truing and they needed to, perhaps be completely re-tensioned. I know a few shops around here charge $10-15 to to tru a wheel, but want $30 or so if it involves de-tensioning the wheel and then bringing the whole think back up to even tension.
03-03-09 | 07:34 PM
#18
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Well good news guys. I have some new 27x1-1/4" alloys coming my way. I ordered them from REI since I had a $10 off coupon and get 10% back for being a member next February and free shipping. The shop gave me my wheels back free of charge. He showed me what was going on with them and asked what I wanted to do. The spokes were like wet noodles 
. I figured the money was better spent on some new alloys, rather than trying to fix up some 30 year old steelies that have some surface rust.
. I figured the money was better spent on some new alloys, rather than trying to fix up some 30 year old steelies that have some surface rust.
03-04-09 | 01:49 AM
#22
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Well, a person can do a bad job of *anything*. You can make a wheel straight without having even spoke tension. But I see your point- I also would say that "truing" a wheel involves tensioning and straightening, and an LBS that doesn't agree won't get my business, that's for sure.
Just the other day, I had to give a wheel back to a customer that I could not guarantee. The rim is bent. I was able to get it almost true, but the tension is off. I did explain it to him that the wheel was about as true as it can be, but that I doubted if it would stay true. I of course did not charge him either.
03-14-09 | 01:51 PM
#23
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I got my wheels in the other day, set them up, and took it for a ride! I'm pretty stoked on them. They look good, fit my bill, WORK, and are a decent amount lighter than the 1980's Steelies.
Does anybody want some lightly rusted 1980 Steel Wheels?
Does anybody want some lightly rusted 1980 Steel Wheels?
