Wheelset Advice.
 

Hi Everyone,

My uncle gave me a Centurion (don't know much about it) road bike yesterday. It needs some TLC with the little rust on the frame, rusted wheelset and stiff cable. I would like to first order a set of wheels since the casette and wheelset are rusted.

I need help deciding on some budget 27 1/4 wheels. I'm a bit confused because I don't know if any 27 1/4 inch wheelset will work (the only other I bike I own is a single speed and any wheels 700c works). Will any set work as long as they are 27"?

What's a good site to purchase budget 27" wheelsets? Would 700c work on the centurion?

Here's a picture: http://s1114.photobucket.com/albums/...rent=photo.jpg

If the brakes can be adjusted you can use 700c wheels as they are going to be smaller. Otherwise you may have to upgrade the brakes to be able to fit the smaller wheel. There are many threads dealing with this as it is a very common thing that is done. Most of the time the brake pads can be adjusted to reach the rim.

Fist question is, What's wrong with the wheelset that's on the bike now?

As far as 700c wheels go, as long as you can drop the pads about 4mm from their current position your good, if not you will need a set of long reach calipers.

It depends on the OLD of your bike (over locknut dimension).

Most 27's are 120 rear, 100 front and I would not think yours is an exception unless you actually DO have a "cassette". (Older bikes like these used 5/6 speed freewheels - not wide "cassettes")

Niagara cycle has a selection of inexpensive 27 rims and wheels. The Sun rims are well regarded though I've no personal experience with them.

You can use 700c's on bikes intended for 27" but very often the 4mm smaller wheel radius forces you to find some alternative brakes with a longer reach.
Some people want to do this because they prefer some 700c tires, but others avoid it, since there are excellent and plentiful 27" tires available for comparatively less money.

You should measure your spacing - easy enough to do, just pull the wheel and stick a ruler in the dropouts or fork ends. Many 27" wheels are 120mm rear, many are 126mm rear - if it's a few off either way you should be fine. Are they steel rims? If you're not sure, just try sticking a magnet on. If they're aluminum, not too worn, and reasonably true, why not just replace the freewheel and save some money? If you do decide you do want new wheels, you have a few choices:

- new 27" wheels. If you have a good LBS they can order new wheels from QBP, I got a set of 27" Sun CR-18s with rear freewheel hub, 126mm rear/100 front spacing, for around $100 last year. They've been good enough for about 8-900 miles of loaded touring last summer and plenty of commuting on crappy streets, and are still true. I've also bought similar wheels from velomine.com for a good price. If you go that route you'll need a new freewheel too.

- used 27" wheels. Pretty easy to find if you're in a big cycling town, also plenty of them pop up on ebay. You can probably get a set for anywhere between $20-100, may come with a freewheel or may need a new one. Just make sure they're in ok shape before you buy.

- 700c conversion. You could get longer reach calipers for that (current brakes may or may not reach), but on top of getting a new wheelset (and new tires, too, I'm assuming), seems like more trouble than it's worth for a beater bike. Of course it could be a pretty easy little project for you to get your hands dirty working on this bike, too - nothing wrong with that.

If you want something kinda brand appropriate, you can maybe look for Araya rims with Shimano 105 or 600 hubs. I think they go for less that most Euro brands, but their quality/stregnth is top notch!

Chombi

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Would i have to get a new cassette if i get wheels? Any good sites to buy the wheels and cassette?

You may be able to get a good used wheelset with 27" rims by just looking at CL for used bikes. These often include the freewheel.
Happens all the time. Or, new ones are pretty reasonable from Niagra, other places.

I'd try a 700c conversion first, see if those calipers will adjust down the 4mm like others have said. Doesn't look like it from the photos.
If so, Maddux wheels from Bikewagon are a good value. There are plenty of 27" wheelsets out there.

Looking at the picture the spokes are rusty, if your wheels aren't bent up and the only problem is the spokes being rusty you could have the wheels re laced with stainless spokes. I have more then a few good wheelsets laying around that I need to do this with, it was one way for the bike companies to save money by not using stainless on some lower priced bikes even though they used good quality rims and hubs. you could polish up your rims and hubs while it is apart get your spokes then bring it to your LBS and have them lace the wheels for you. The price may be a little cheaper or equal to new wheels but if your rims are of a good quality why not. Also you would be keeping the bike original.
Just my .02

Glenn

The rims look okay, although if there is any rust on them, they should go, if the rims are chromed steel, then they should also go. Chromed steel rims are very heavy, and they can be very slippery when wet. The real key on the direction you should go is, look at the brakes, if from the shoe to the bottom of the arm is 4mm or more, then I would go 700C, the choices in tires are much better then 27". If the brakes can't be adjusted, there are some 27" rims out there. The next choice depends on the distance between the dropouts on the rear, if it's 127mm or less, then it's a freewheel, repack the bearings on the rear hub, and get new spokes and rims laced to it. While you repack the bearings, you want to look at the races, if the races are damaged or pitted, then replace the hub as well. You can also make mention that your looking for a set of wheels, sometimes you can get wheels that someone here has as extra. I managed to buy a set of wheels from another forum member, and they worked out great.

If the space between the dropouts is 128mm or more, then swap out the wheels for a set of 130mm wide cassette hub wheels. You can get some nice wheels if you can fit 700C wheels to your bicycle.

http://www.velomine.com/index.php?ma...j1jq41eebng573

Sun CR-18 or M13. Will need a 6 or 7 speed freewheel, find one used on eBay. Or in the classifieds of the forum.

That is one nice set of wheels and a great price as long as shipping isn't to bad. But this is even better.
http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=507312

Glenn

Geeze. I have a few sets of 27" and 700c wheels lying around. And, an hour ago at the Dump, I picked up a near mint set of Shimano 600 hubs, laced to a near perfect set of Mavic Module 18 27" x 1 1/4" rims. The six cog indexed freewheel, appears to be a cassette. And, both wheels are fitted with Specialized Touring 27" x 1" tires, also near unused. Sadly, one of the skewers was missing. But I have lots of spares.

Tough to beat that for a set of 27 inchers!