Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
Reload this Page >

singlespeed CX wheels question

Notices
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational) This has to be the most physically intense sport ever invented. It's high speed bicycle racing on a short off road course or riding the off pavement rides on gravel like : "Unbound Gravel". We also have a dedicated Racing forum for the Cyclocross Hard Core Racers.

singlespeed CX wheels question

Old 09-11-09, 06:34 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 1,755

Bikes: Miele Azsora, Kuwahara Cascade

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
singlespeed CX wheels question

Ok, so I may have a line on a cheap IRO Rob Roy frame and I've been wanting my next bike to be a singlespeed CX-type bike, so this is just about perfect.
Problem is that I've never built up a bike before (gotta start sometime) and I need some help.

While I'm trying to go as cheap as possible and get most of my parts used, I figure wheels might be a good place to go new. I was looking at track wheelsets around $100-150 (which I realize is pretty low-end), but I was wondering if a 29er wheelset wouldn't be a better choice. I plan on taking this bike out on some low-level singletrack and whatnot, so I figure 29er wheels are gonna be a little beefier to handle that kind of thing. Plus, the Rob Roy's rear spacing is really wide (something like 130-135mm based on what I'm reading), so getting a wheel that fits that seems to be the easier route here. I don't mind coldsetting the frame if that's what it takes to have a kickass bike, but I want to do this right.

So here's the question.

Will these wheels work?: https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ils&ProdID=605
I guess what's worrying me is that the rims are much wider (25mm) than normal road rims. Granted, I plan on putting 35 or 38mm tires on the bike, which are also much wider than normal road tires.

I dunno, I guess I'm just seeking assurance that the tires will still "clinch" to this wider rim? I don't want any disasters while riding, obviously.
Alternatively, if you want to suggest/sell me some cheap wheels that are gonna work better, I am open to suggestions.
jtgotsjets is offline  
Old 09-11-09, 10:06 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
bluenote157's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Orange County CA
Posts: 963

Bikes: Surly CC, Raleigh Team Pro, Specialized Rockhopper with an xtracycle

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Are you going to ride it fixed as well? this wheelset seems to have a flip flop hub?

I bought a used 8/9/10 speed compatible wheelset and am using it as a SS wheelset at the moment. I took apart my cassette and got some spacers (or you can use a pvc pipe). If you are looking for a cheap solution, you can use two gatorade bottle caps and cut holes in them and stack them. I did this before i purchased a hacksaw and pvc and it worked fine.

FYI, my sram cassette was held together with a small 1.5 mm screw. Once i got that off all the cogs came off as well as its spacers.
bluenote157 is offline  
Old 09-11-09, 10:39 PM
  #3  
I am Noobert.
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 427
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
if you don't plan on riding fixed, i would go with a normal cassette wheel. The down side is a skewer type hub.
Noobert is offline  
Old 09-11-09, 11:52 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 1,755

Bikes: Miele Azsora, Kuwahara Cascade

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Yeah, I was gonna ride it fixed on the street, free on the trails. Sorry that I didn't make that clear.

Like I said, this is a super budget build so I imagine some donor wheels will go on immediately so I can get riding, but I'd eventually like to get this build just right and wheels seem like the logical first move (especially since donor wheels renders my road bike unusable).

Soooo... Anyone have any idea if those wheels I asked about are appropriate?
jtgotsjets is offline  
Old 09-12-09, 09:14 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 1,755

Bikes: Miele Azsora, Kuwahara Cascade

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
anyone?
jtgotsjets is offline  
Old 09-12-09, 10:48 AM
  #6  
like, really sloppy
 
sloppy robot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: calipornia
Posts: 2,285
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
How big are you? If you're anywhere under 200 lbs or so.. a track wheelset will be fine. the 29ers are overkill. If you have to just respace the hub with spacers.. its super easy..

youll probably also find that a 38 is pretty big.. and you might want smaller, especially if you plan on riding it on the street also.
sloppy robot is offline  
Old 09-12-09, 11:20 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 1,755

Bikes: Miele Azsora, Kuwahara Cascade

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Alright, good point. My puny 5'11", 150 lb frame isn't gonna put a whole lot of strain on the bike.

As for tire size—it sounds like 38s won't even quite fit on a Rob Roy. I'll probably try to squeeze some 35s on still. I agree it sounds a little big for street riding, but I've already got a quick road bike. This new bike is gonna be more of an all-purpose town/commuter/CX/bad weather bike. Pretty much any type of rough riding—otherwise I'll be on the road bike.
jtgotsjets is offline  
Old 09-12-09, 11:53 AM
  #8  
like, really sloppy
 
sloppy robot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: calipornia
Posts: 2,285
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Oh yea.. just get one of those formula/alex wheelsets that are everywhere, It'll be more than fine. I'm 170 and like to jump as much stuff as I can and I've never had a wheel problem with those. I'd suggest 32s for what you want.. its a good balance for road and dirt.. unless you get some 35s that arent super knobby.
sloppy robot is offline  
Old 09-12-09, 12:48 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
TimJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,959
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
The rob roy has plenty of tire clearance. I have 35s on mine, I think up to 42 would fit no problem.

Those 29r wheels aren't any better than an OK set of "track" wheels, the only reason to get 29r wheels is if you're running really wide tires and you can't run really wide tires anyway.

IIRC the rob roy was supposed to be spaced at 132.5 or something like that so you could go either way. I run 130 spaced wheels and if they are 132 I don't notice it.

Bicycle wheel warehouse has a good selection of ss/track wheels:

https://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com...ewCat&catId=10
__________________
fun facts: Psychopaths have trouble understanding abstract concepts.
"Incompetent individuals, compared with their more competent peers, will dramatically overestimate their ability and performance relative to objective criteria."
TimJ is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.