Upgrading 27in wheels
 

I have a 83 Centurion Sport DLX that has chromed steel wheels on it. I would like to make it more useable in less than ideal conditions. Would it make sense to just rebuild the wheels with a new aluminum rim (Sun CR18 36h) or replace the wheelset? The current rims have an ERD of 618mm just like the CR18 rims.

I'd say it's really kind of up to what you want out of them. Do they have nice(r) hubs? Nicer stainless or low end spokes? Either way, I suggest you check out craigslist if you haven't already, and put up a WTB if you don't have that great of hubs/spokes/whatever and see if anyone in your area has any aluminum 27s laying around. I've had good luck with WTB ads on CL. Just put it in the bikes "for sale" section with WTB at the first of the title. "WTB: Aluminum 27" Wheels" or something like that. Otherwise, depending on your brake reach, you might even be able to use a set of aluminum 700c wheels, which would expand your available options even more.

This being all with you building the wheels up yourself. If you're paying someone else to do it, definitely just buy new wheels.

Personally, I'd replace the entire wheelset. I'd also consider replacing the brakes. But keep all the originals in case you want to sell the bike.

JMO.

I don't know where you live but start looking for a set of used wheels or singles. The cheapest way to change wheels is used and wrecked. I have a set of Mavic Helium sew-ups from 1996, the front wheel has scratches from an accident, paid 160$. Learn to fix and lace bent rims and you can have wheels for free.

I'd build new wheels but that is because I like doing it. Like 3speed said if you are paying someone else to do it then it just does not make sense as used 27" alloy wheelsets are not hard to come by. I picked up a complete 27" wheelset at a garage sale a couple weeks ago for $3 each -so $6 for the set. Of course there were a couple of broken spokes on them (on the rear it was on the FW side and harder to replace) which is probably why the PO stopped using them. Simple fix for someone who has tools and knowledge -and a lot cheaper than buying or building them. If this were a 590 wheelset or something wierd then building a wheel makes more sense as the price of wheelsets gets to be a lot more and used alloy just are not available.

I agree that garage sales is the least expensive way to get decent wheels. A lot of times, you can find a lesser bike that has good wheels for less than what the wheels would have cost by themselves. Swap out the wheels and resell the bike with your old wheels and you could have your new wheels for free.

I have also rebuilt wheels with Sun rims, and if your spokes are in good shape, that is another inexpensive option. It isn't hard to lay the new rim next to the old one and move one spoke at a time. If you start by screwing all the nipples on the same number of turns, the wheel trues up pretty quick.

I'm going to try to find a wheelset locally. There is a swap meet this weekend nearby. I might luck out and find a set there. If I were to build a set I would just do it myself.

If you already have the spokes (and you are sure they are the right size) building the wheel is easy. The Harris Cyclery website has a very nice article describing it. I'd say it depends on how good the current hubs are. If they are trash then don't bother. If the bearing races and spoke holes in the flanges are good then do it.

The Sun CR18 is a nice medium width rim, the M13-II is also nice, narrower. Neither is the hardest aluminum in the world but they are quite useful and pretty. The choice depends on what tire width you want. I am running sets of 28mm and 25mm Pasela GTs on the M13-II, but the 28mm is about as wide as I'd go. If I wanted to run 32mm I'd definitely choose the CR18 instead.