replace obsolete rim help
 

hi all, i am justgetting back into the game. i have a bent wolber gt20. i am getting new wheelset soon, but until then need to fix original for now. i can't find exact dims,but only rims i can find are sun m13 II and weinman LP18. i just realized my wolber was a dble wall so more options found. i am trying to keep things as simple as possible i.e. reuse spokes. will the sun be a match, will spokes be ok. is it possible to trim spokes down with a grinder if they become too long?
please reply & thx

The main thing you need to know is the inside diameter of the rim, and how it matches yours. Double-walls of that type are generally pretty darn close. I would eyeball both rims for depth once you determine if they're double-wall or not.

I suspect these wheels are 20 something years old, I don't think I would reuse the spokes. also what are the hubs?

you may be better off buying a set of used wheels.

this is the rear wheel. hub is shimano 105. low mileage so spokes should be ok. local bike shop wants $2 per spoke = $72 for spokes, too much. I know I should get new wheels. but this is a simple fix if i can find a matching rim. new wheelset are on the horizon. thx for replies

can i shave the spoke tips with a grinder if they are a few mm too long after rebuild

yes you can trim them if there is enough thread to build the wheel.


check with your shop to see if they have a WheelSmith SpokeCalc system. it may still have ahte Wolber rims listed so they can tell you the erd, otherwise you need to measure yourself.

it seems spokes come in std sizes with differences of approx 2mm, does this sound right

It's also possible to cut and thread your own, but the tooling costs too much for any enthusiast of normal means to ever do this.

If you shop around, you might get a better deal. $2/each is about right, though.

does anyone know a sure fit replacement to an older wolber gt20, would a sun m13 II, or a weinman? can someone suggest a cheap spoke kit? I can't find a spoke calculator for a wolber gt20?

someone says not to reuse the spokes, how about the nipples, probably not right?

there have been a number of posts recommending these as spoke sources

source of spokes lkspoke@yahoo.com or http://shop.ebay.com/childhood_dream..._sop=15&_rdc=1

I didn't see the ERD of your rim listed in spocalc. You're going to have to measure it, and that's not going to be easy until you unlace the rim.

You'll run out of spoke threading before you'd have anything to trim off (and the wheel is tensioned), so dispose of that idea.

I'd think it would be cheaper to buy a low-end replacement or used wheel for now, especially if you have a new wheelset you'll be getting soon. Then you can keep the low-end wheel around for back up, or just sell it.