Where to begin? I've gotten help from you all before and it has been superb. Now i am in need of help again. A few nights after my college graduation, i was out doing some late night shenanigans when i wiped out pretty hard. Turns out i snapped my rear axel. Unfortunately, i don't have the time to rebuild the wheel yet (i plan to later) because piecing the parts together before a planned tour that begins next Monday is highly unlikely.

So I'm in the market for a new set of wheels and i could use your advice, input, or eyes. Im relatively poor because of my dedication to school the last 3 years, so I'm looking for a bargain you could say. That isn't to say ill settle for low quality wheels though. This bicycle is my main steed (i don't own a car atm), commuter, and i ride her often and hard. In the past, on these forums, I've seen some great deals posted for wheels. Ive also seen some great deals locally on craigslist, but right now I'm out of town and have been unable to find or locate any comparatively similar deals.

With that said, do you know of any used or new 700c wheel deals under $300 shipped? My LBS is offering me a set of 32 spoke double walled alum wheels for $250 plus tax and im considering it, but i wanted to fish around for more options first. Many thanks!

Ps. Silver wheels pls to preserve the vintage look

Vuelta Corsa HD Road Wheelset - Overweight Code W

Vuelta Corsa Pro Road Wheelset - Overweight Code W

Vuelta Corsa Pro Road Wheelset - Overweight Code W (new model with new decals)

Vuelta Corsa Lite Road Wheelset - Overweight Code W

Vuelta Corsa SLR Wheelset - Overweight Code W (a little over your budget)

Thanks for the quick reply and links. A modern wheel is ideal to me for an improved ride, but these are all tagged with logos and/or black in color scheme, right? Sorry, it is hard to tell on my phone. I definitely want to stick with a silver wheelset that will preserve the vintage look of my bike.

I believe all of the Vuelta wheels are anodized black, yes. The decals are easily removed, but they would not be silver.

My wife has a set of these:

New Shimano Ultegra Wheelset 32 Hole Mavic Open Pro Rims Silver DT 2 0 Spokes | eBay

Only with Tiagra hubs and they seem to be pretty solid wheels.

You snapped the axle or the whole hub? Is there something special about that hub that the axle can't be replaced? Okay, so I don't know freehubs, but with any conventional C&V hub the axle is easily replaceable and a LOT less expensive than a wheel. Almost any LBS should have an appropriate axle.

Axles are cheap, about $20. Now if you're just using the broken axle as an excuse to buy new wheels , check here:

Mavic Velomine.com : Worldwide Bicycle Shop, fixed gear track bike wheelsets campagnolo super record vintage bike

Just the axel. The LBS seemed to imply rebuilding the axel/hub with the appropriate cones, etc. would take time and that they did not have the parts because of the age of the wheel. I dont have the wheel with me, but theyre late 80s Ambrosio alum alloys.

Maybe but im just not knowledgeable enough. I dont know this stuff very well yet. Ive been learning slowly from this forum tho!

find a coop , i can usually get a wheelset for 50 bucks at my local coop, also i bought a new pair of alex rims from Niagra cycle for almost nothing, i want to say under 100 bucks, maybe even less, around 50 or so

Axle, not axel. An axel is a figure skating trick.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate all the input from everyone else too. I just got off the phone with Steve from Velomine and pulled the trigger on a silver Open Pro/105 wheelset for $200 plus shipping. I've been on the phone and internet non-stop and have finally decided on this. Im stoked!! Ive never done business with Velomine before, but their attitude, service, advice, and pricing, are all top notch. Highly recommended.


Haha, i was wondering about that

That should be a solid workhorse wheelset for you that should last a good long time.

Thats what i was thinking and I'm hoping for

^ i wouldn't be able to study, knowing that beautiful bike was outside, out of view, attracting all that attention.

I'd be afraid that someone would steal the new wheels.

Thanks! It's a good thing I graduated on the 9th


This was outside of my good friend's restaurant, "Emo's Kitchen" off of the Guadalupe drag in Austin. I had a good line of sight on it the whole time, so I wasn't too worried. But you're right, that is something I have to be more worried about now when I lock her up. My single U-lock I carry around may not be enough anymore.