I may have to replace a front wheel on one of my Vintage Raleigh 3-speeds
well..i'd LIKE to replace it.
The bike is in really great condition, cept for the front wheel
either they stored it on top of a bag of road salt or it's from a different bike altogether
the rear wheel looks brand new
but the front even after I derusted it..has so much pitting the chrome is flaking off.

Can I replace it with a new wheel (i was looking at Niagracycle)
or does it have to be a vintage wheel?
will it stand out as a replaced wheel from a distance?

sorry being dumb..i don't' work with newish bikes, so i don't know how new parts meld with old bikes.


thanks
EG

If this was my daily rider--and I could afford it--I might invest in a set of new rims for my classic bike. I would do this partially due to weight savings, and partially due to safety as alloy rims will stop better than chrome rims given similar conditions. Chances are though--being me, husband & father of 2--I wouldn't be able to afford it right away, so I'd be on the look-out for a donor bike where I could get a nicer chrome steel wheel to replace the badly rusted one and also use the 3-speed sturmey archer hub to learn to lace, true, and tune a set of alloy rims during the winter time when I can ride but still suffer from the bike addiction.
The sad thing is that whatever the donor would be, I'd want to fix it up because it'd have to be something out of Nottingham to get the same style of steel wheel, or at least to my noob eye, my Raleigh Sports & Armstrong wheels look somewhat beefier than the steel wheels on say a 1970's Huffy. I can let a classic Huffy die, but I think you understand.

Best of luck,

Jim

You can replace it with a new wheel, but it kinda depends on how shiny the rear wheel is if you want to know how well they'll match. The alloy rims will be shiny but depending on the condition of the rear they could be more shiny or less. (or about the same)


I assume its a 27" wheel...

It's probably an EA3 wheel actually. 26x1&3/8, or 590mm.

Whether you replace the rim or not, another factor is that Raleigh 3-speeds have narrower front hubs (90mm) than standard road bike hubs (100mm). So I'd look for a complete wheel made for a 3-speed. You could put a WTB post on Craig's List or check out give Broadway Bicycles in Cambridge a call.

Neal

I just got one for $29.95 at Harris Cyclery. It's a typical factory-made 26" X 1 3/8th 36-spoke 3X-laced wheel. Needed some work on my truing-stand. But it's fine now.

Here's the link:

https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/wheels/590.html

Hey Panthers007, I asked Harris about the OLD on their 3-speed front wheel, they say it's 100mm, modern width. Is that Correct? I was hoping there might be a source for a NEW 90mm OLD front hub, to build a new alloy rim wheel. Thanks

John

The standard wheel on a Raleigh 3 speed is a 650A / 26 by 1 3/8, the hub spacing is narrower than a modern hub, and the axle itself is narrower.

Replacing the rims with alloy may not be aesthetically pleasing but from a performance standpoint... it will be like night and day.

I have rebuilt the wheels on just about every three speed we have and it cures these bikes of their greatest failing... braking when wet.

If it's a truly classic bike I have been able to source out vintage steel rims for rebuilds as running alloy wheels on a bike like my '48 roadster would be wrong... and it stops rather well in the rain.

If you are looking for a narrow hub, I have a few. Not sure they are 90mm, but maybe 92-93. You can PM me.
I also have a few alloy rims. But Harris will have those!