Commuter Wheels
 

Hi,

I currently commute on a 6+ year old Motobecane Record. I bought it used and it works great as a commuter. Lately, mainly out of shear boredom, I've been thinking about replacing the wheels. The wheels on it (Alex DA22 rims w/Motobecane hubs) are just fine albeit rather old. However, I'd like to try something different just for fun. I don't want to spend a lot of money since this is a year 'round commuter bike which will be locked up outside, some of the time, in a highly theft-prone city (San Francisco).

I saw these Vueltas on bikeisland.com and for the price they seem decent enough. Does anyone have any experience with them or the Vuelta brand?

http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1220

thanks!

If I were looking for an inexpensive machine built wheels for a commuter, I'd get these: BikeIsland.com - Bicycle Parts, Accessories and Clothing at Affordable Prices with Free Shipping

Thanks!

Yeah, I was looking at those wheels, too. In your opinion, why is that one a better wheelset set than the Vueltas, other than they cost less and come with tires?

thanks.

I remember boredom. I never enjoyed the feeling when I had it. Now I miss that.

Does it need to be better than anything? Sounds like you're just itching to spend some money (but not too much.) ;)

Yeah, pretty much :)

But regardless, I am curious to hear everyone's opinions about wheels.

I bought a set of the $90 26" wheels that they make to run narrow street tires. I use them on my basket/rack laden grocery bike. They have maybe a third fewer spokes than would be recommended for this use. They have never given me the first problem and I squeeze test the spokes for tension on at least a weekly basis. Overall quite heavy, but they still run as true as one can tell through the brake pads. I've been quite satisfied with them.

Those wheels from BikeIsland are quite heavy at 2000g and are available for the same price range everyday and probably less with a Nashbar "discount/free ship over $49" sale. Nashbar Page. I'm pretty sure that they are the same wheelset.

Those are quality rims and they're sturdy.

Don't forget to shop and compare at your local bike shop. I order mine thru them and I save on shipping and they get there in about the same time. Sometimes sooner.