sudo bike

Well, I popped another spoke on my rear wheel. It's the second time in a fairly short period - I had it fixed at the LBS, but I've been told that if you pop more than a couple of spokes in fairly short time, you may have over-stressed the wheel with the break. I've been looking to convert to an IGH anyway, so maybe this is the opportune time to do it.

I was looking at something like this, except I need it with a 700 wheel, not a 26. The coaster brake is not a necessity... might be cool, but I'll still have my front cantilever brake for sure, so it isn't a must have. I'm looking for something already built, preferably. I have no experience building or truing wheels, and don't really have the confidence in my abilities to do it. Plus I don't have anything like a truing stand, tension meter, or anything of the sort - and being a po' boy, I have to do this on the cheap. I'm not really wanting to spend over $150, and the cheaper the better. Can it be done?

Any recommendations? Should I just bite the bullet and give the building a go, or can anyone recommend some pre-built's in 700?

Rhodabike

At that price, there's a strong probability that it's not very good. You'll probably break as many spokes on this wheel as you have on the previous one. It might be worth your while to save up a bit longer and look for a local shop where wheels can be built on spec.

irclean

IGH and cheap aren't usually synonymous. I agree with Rhodabike; save your money until you can afford a quality build (and hub).

ilynne

Let me throw in my opinion on the coaster brake. I have one on my Townie and I freaking HATE it. And I'm stuck with it or no rear brake at all because the frame will not accommodate any rear brakes.

fietsbob

Drum Brakes come as part of IG hubs, [Sturmey Archer] offers several that may serve better than the Coaster brake,
and as the coaster , have a strap around the left chainstay,
so the mounting may be similar , frame spread is a separate issue ..

fietsbob

Back to OP Ask at your Bike shop..
their wholesale sources may have a pre built wheel to serve your needs .

and they will do a bit of tensioning and hand truing
that is the difference in reliability rather than just being cheap.

all parts being the same..

duffer1960

My new/used bike with unknown history kept breaking spokes. Three times, always the rear drive-side trailing (or was it leading). After the third time, replaced all seven old remaining trailing (leading?) spokes & loosened the rest, to re-tension as if building from scratch. Used a truing stand, tension gage, dish gauge. No more problems. So far.

ilynne

Good suggestion. Not really sure I want to spend any more $$ on the bike, though. I have my eye on a Pashley. At $1300, it has everything I want. I almost never drive, and have a paid for Miata, so it really is not an extravagant purchase.

sudo bike

I was afraid of that.

Unfortunately, that's simply not possible at the moment. I just don't make enough money to afford it, even with saving. If it's just not possible, then c'est la vie - I'll just have to get a wheel without...

Thanks for all suggestions, though. I appreciate the insight.

tcs

https://www.velo-orange.com/distaraw3wh.html

https://store.somafab.com/igthwhset.html

HTH
tcs

tatfiend 

I have the 3 speed wheel being sold through Amazon and it is a inexpensive build using a single wall rim. I have not installed it yet so can make no comments on build quality.

In addition to the wheel links posted by tcs AEBike lists an Alfine wheel for an excellent price currently. Probably outside the OPs budget but about the same price as the best price I have seen for the hub only.

https://aebike.com/product/handspun-p...e7247-qc30.htm

sudo bike

Very interesting! Thanks a lot, I'll look into that.