I'm a college student who is in the process of converting a 1970s Peugeot bicycle into a singlespeed commuter for next year. I will have the summer to do it, and it is an easy project so I'm not too worried, but I do have a couple of questions if you guys don't mind helping.

The primary one is about the wheelset. It has the original ones on now and they definitely need to be replaced. First, they re 40 years old and rather dinged up, and second, they will not stay true. They work okay for occasional, short rides, but if I put in more than 50 miles in a week, they come out of true. This is what brings me to my question.

On my way to class today, I saw someone with a Look bike from the 1980s. On it were an old pair of Torelli wheels. They appeared to be about 20-30 years old and are about 30-40mm deep, so not a traditional, thin rim. Aside from looking cool, they would probably be much more aero than my old, skinny wheels, and I think they would be in better shape because they don't look very used and are younger. I was thinking about offering to give him my wheels and $40 for his wheels, and we would probably just swap cassettes. He doesn't ride very far, so I don't think the truing problem would be as big for him.

I'm wondering if you guys know anything about old Torelli wheels like this (since I can't find them online anywhere) and if you think that it'd be a good move to buy them.

Thanks for your help!

You need to check out several things first. You Pug may have 120mm rear wheel spacing, and also may be 27" wheels. The Torelli ones are probably 700c and either 126 or 130 spacing. To be honest, it will probably be easier for you to adapt his wheels to your bike than him to yours if they're a mismatch. And you mentioned swapping cassettes. Your bike probably doesn't have a cassette - it's a freewheel. Don't know about the Torellis.

Nice detail pics of your bike (Preferably the drive side) posted up here would help get you the best assessment on what possible wheel mods might work, as we need to know how much of the bike is still original and how much had been modded up to more modern specs....

Chombi

I agree with ExPres check your current wheel size first. I doubt he would trade his wheels for yours even with a $40 cash payment. Besides why have 20+ yo wheels when you can new wheels for $125 or so?

But first check the size and see if your brakes will work with the smaller 700c wheels.

Torelli was/is an importer that has stuff made/rebranded for them. The rims on the wheels in question are likely a Rigida or Ambrosio product.

Check this site out for inexpensive wheel sets. https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=2178