Howdy roadies. The time has come to replace the original (pitted and wobbly ) Araya SS-45s on my Panasonic DX-2000. I've been out of the wheel game forever and don't know what's best for this bike. Basically I just want to get it back on the road, so I don't need to obsess over weight or anything. Bang for buck is my m.o. and my budget is ~$150. Any thoughts?

Oh and here she is:

Where are the rims pitted? Wobbly? Could just be a few spokes need tuning and/or cone adjustment, which would be a good time to clean and regrease the bearings. If you prefer to pay an LBS, probably $40-$50 will get your wheels in shape.

cool bike. and what's it like riding in okc these days? has mick cornett built any new bike lanes anywhere?

oh, yeah -- wheels. i assume they're 700c. i'd build a new set using the bike frame as a stand, your current hubs, sun m13ii rims ($40ish) and sapim db spokes from danscomp ($75). use sheldon brown's wheelbuilding page as a guide. sheldon shows how to afix a spoke in the frame with a rubber band as a vertical truing guide.

what's wrong with your current wheels? maybe the rims can be salvaged?

I would just pick up a nice set of used wheels instead. If you are patient, you should be able to find a nice set for around $50. And the used ones will typically come with tires, tubes, skewers, freewheel, rim tape.

Bang for the buck = USED. I have rehabbed over 500 bikes, replaced a lot of wheels over the years. I have yet to have bought a single new wheel yet. And I have about a two year supply of spare wheelsets, so I don't see running out anytime soon. Eventually I will probably someday have to buy a new wheel or two. I have gotten wheelsets for as low as $10 with tires/skewers/cassette. Needless to say, I keep an eye out for deals on wheels.

I upgraded a 1988 DX-2000 with mainly Shimano 105 bits for my wife. Needs a white saddle, which I just acquired on another flip bike.





bill

I'm considering going used -- is there anything I need to look for in terms of sizing, or is 700c basically universal? I'd be a bit more comfortable if I knew more about what to look for besides the obvious. I'll take a look on craigslist and see what's out there at the moment. Need some red tape while I'm at it...

This might be a good route to take, actually, since I've wanted to know how to do these things. I don't have the right tools nor the space to really work in, but whatever. They're pitted all around, but it's not extreme and not enough to threaten the integrity of the rim. The old aluminum is just wearing down and getting overly weathered.

I should've mentioned that pic's a few years out of date, so it looks all sparkly and new. Need to update my location, too -- moved to Dallas a couple years ago. There's some stuff in the works for new lanes apparently, but during my last visit OKC was just as bike-unfriendly (on the whole) as it was in 2010. Dallas is a little better.

I keep telling myself to follow Sheldon's guide/some of the books I have to get this done, but at this point I just want to get it back in riding shape again as soon as I can. If I had the space, tools and (most importantly) time, I'd take a stab at it. Oh, I didn't mention that this is a bday gift from the fiancee, so I'd like to take advantage of that and get some hot new metal.

The wheels themselves are fine, just old and minorly pitted, and the rear took a slam, so it's out of true a bit. I'm sure 90% of this forum could fix it in 15 minutes.

It appears that-
You need a Free Wheel Hub.
126mm OLD spacing.

This looks decent with a good "meat & potatoes" rim/spokes combination.

https://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Master-7...c+rims+7+speed

I would have the spokes properly tensioned and you should have a "relatively bomb proof" set of wheels for normal road riding.

I built a set of wheels this Winter with these rims and DB spokes for my Hybrid and have been very happy with them for cost/performance.
Mine cost about $160-170 for parts, but my Double Butted spokes were $.40 more than straight gauge. (x32 per wheel)

That amazon listing is for a single wheel, correct?

as far as wheelbuilding is concerned, if you can thread a needle and follow a cooking recipe, you can build a wheel.

but the tool investment is intense: a $4 spoke wrench and a screwdriver. you already have a truing stand, your bike.

if you go used, just make sure all the spokes feel good, tight and without rust, spin the wheel for feel and check the rim for defects. buy brands in which you're familiar. and buy the right rear wheel for your bike (126mm old with freewheel hub). you probably won't know what the hub races look like until you get it home.

there is some risk in buying used. i bought a great used set recently: shimano 600 hubset on italian rims. it was a good deal at $75. i bought it knowing the spokes needed to be tightened -- no big deal. when i went to tighten the spokes, they poked through the rim tape. no wonder the seller was getting rid of the set. i guess he didn't want to re-lace the wheel. it turned out to be my first built wheelset -- bought new spokes and trued both wheels inside my bike's frame. it's a great feeling doing it yourself.

Wheel SET

I figured as much but thought I'd ask. Thanks for clarifying.

I've sent you a PM. I may just have what the Dr. ordered.
Sansin hubs, Matrix rims in excellent shape, takes a freewheel....

Hit ya back via email -- thanks for the offer!

I went ahead with the Wheel Master set that Bill recommended. Hopefully that'll be enough to get me back on the road. In the meantime, I'll see what I can learn about rebuilding the current set. Appreciate the advice from everyone.