Question about Wheels/Rims
 

Hello,

I just inherited my father's old 80s Masi Nuova Strada road bike and was wondering about upgrading the rims to something more modern, but keeping the same hubs. I know hubs and gears in today's world are wider than what I have right now. The hubs are Shimano Dura Ace and I'd like to keep it since the bike was built with full Dura Ace components. My question is: is it possible to change the rim and keep the same hubs and spokes? I think the current rims are Wolber which I know are no longer around.

Here is my bike for reference, but in blue. http://bhovey.com/Masi/MasiCatalogs/1988TenSpeed/4.htm
The andlebars and stem and not the same as in the photo as it was custom built by my father.

I'm new to cycling, so pardon my misuse of any terminology.

Thanks in advance community.

Great bike ! Yes you can certainly use those hubs for a new wheel build. Spokes are relatively cheap and should be replaced when you rebuild the wheels. Check out Sheldon Brown for advice on wheel building. You mention "upgrading" the rims. Are the wheels in good shape now ? Being from 1988 I would be surprised if modern rims would make much of a difference. If its not broken why fix it ?

I think that many of us are going to say that you should keep the wheels that came with the bike — assuming they are not worn out, or damaged. A lot of "modern" rims have a different profile than the rims of that era. And they usually have a lower spoke count; many of them will not go with your hubs. There are some currently produced rims that will look much like the ones you have, but if the ones you have inherited are good, I am not confident that there is anything to gain that is worth the trouble and expense of changing them. Engineering and metallurgy has (apparently) made modern wheels more resilient. A modern set I own never needs tuning — well not yet. Occasionally, my 70's and 80's wheel-sets need a bit of the attention with the spoke wrench.

If I had a bike as special as yours, I would keep it as near stock as I could. Rims do wear out, so you might be on the lookout for something that looks like the ones you have — thereby looking forward to the day when you may need them.

Hello MasiNuovoStrada, Welcome to the forums.

I agree with Lenton but would like to know about your bike not one like it.

Also I have a few questions. Are you going to be rebuilding the wheels? Figure atleast $1 a spoke and $40 or per wheel labor then add rims $30+

What is wrong with the current wheels? Are the excessively worn or damaged?

Are the current rims tubular (sew ups, the type you need to glue on the rim) and you want clinchers?

Why do you want modern rims, do you like the look of them?

What other bikes do you have? Are you an avid cyclist?

If there's nothing wrong with the present rims, why bother replacing them?

I agree, don't fix what ain't broke. I acutually found NOS rims of the same vintage as the ones on my bike just to be able to keep it close to period correct even after the current ones wear out.

If it is an issue of tubulars vs clinchers, just get another wheel set.

Nice bike BTW!

The wheels are in good shape. Based on the feedback I received, I'll stick with them until they break. And if they do, I have an extra set of the same wheels, although different hubs, on a 80's 6 speed Trek that I also inherited from my dad.

Thanks Epicus07

I did notice the lower spoke counts when I compared it to my girlfriend's bike from last year. I'll stick to what I have for now. I know my dad kept the bike in great shape and away from the elements so they should be in great shape.

Thanks Lenton58

We all would love to see actual pics of your bike! :)

I think you would have to spend alot of money to get a modern rim that is better than those Wolbers.

Bianchigirll, The current rims are clincher I believe? The ones with tubes right?

The wheels are in great shape so I'll keep them based on the feedback. I just thought perhaps the modern rims provided some technological advancements from the past 20 years that might improve the performance. And yes, I've seen some pretty neat looking modern rims nowadays. I think my friend inherited some sweet carbon rims from a guy name Reynolds cause Reynolds put his name all over them in big letters.

As far as being an avid cyclist, I am just getting into the sport. I got my girlfriend a new bike last year and I've been running around the road with her on my old 80's Trek 12 speed bike. Man, those downtube shifters are though on the hills. I'm not sure of the model of that Trek, but my dad built it with with Shimano 105 components when it was his. The only thing I've changed on it were the brake levers and the handlebar tape.

Thanks for your feedback.

I'll get the pictures up next week. Stay tuned. I need to redo the bar tape and swap out the saddle.

Owenmyers. I guess the Wolbers were a big name back in the 80's. I read online they got bought out and are a different company I think. I don't recall which though. As a kid, I didn't realize how my dad had built up his bikes with fancy parts. Maybe that's why I was never allowed to ride it as a child. And I guess I did have a pretty good bmx bike for my age now that I look back at it.

As promised here are pictures of the bike. Wheels are Wolber TX Profile. Handlebar is Modolo. Recently added Shimano STIs that work with the 7 speed Dura Ace components.

https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0Bz...it?usp=sharing

Ouch!!! Get a Cinelli 1r stem for that bike. Hurry before another retrogrouch sees it.

Keep if the current wheels if they are in good shape. But I would buy two extra Velocity Aero 36H rims today (similar color, profile, and non-machined sidewalls) to eventually replace the current set. The replacement rim will be a little stronger and heavier ~1 oz. Butted DT 2.0/1.8/2.0 spokes would be my first choice if $ is not an issue. Otherwise, go with straight DT 2.0.

I've built many Aero rims. About 90% are round within +/-0.5 mm from the factory.

http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=580

I agree, but being a Software Engineer, I'm reminded of the rest of the quote to which you refer:

(1) If it ain't broke don't fix it!
(2) If it ain't broke, fix it until it is broke!
(3) If it ain't broke, it doesn't have enough features!

:rolleyes:

- Wil

I agree with Wulf. It needs another stem.

Beautiful bike you got there.

Thanks. My dad has that stem somewhere, or one similar to it. I know for sure a stem like that is on his Trek. My dad had to change the stem to that 90 degree one because he put some aero bars on there. The next time I'm home I'll see what spare parts my dad has lying around. It might be next to the old Apple IIc in the garage.