How About These Wheels?
 

So I'm new to the whole singlespeed and I'm trying to semi-build one. I came across this wheelset on eBay and was wondering if they work. I know I'd have to use a threaded freewheel, but what about the space where the cassette used to be? Thanks.

Bal

Those wheels could be respaced and redished (look these up on sheldonbrown.com), but if you read the description you'll notice they're for tubular tires. If you're a novice on spacing/dishing issues, I'm guessing you probably don't want to start dealing with tubies.

That ebay auction - don't even bother.

If you're going to spend money do it right, don't buy tubular wheelsets and don't buy wheels that aren't meant for cog + lockring.

Awesome. Thanks for your speedy advice. So now where do I go to get a relatively inexpensive single-speed wheelset? I'm a college student so my fear is that someone will steal the bike, so I'm afraid of putting too much money into it. Again, thanks.

Bal

bring the bike to class with you.

Wheel & Sprocket has some good deals on wheelsets, in several different flavors:
http://wheelandsprocket.com/page.cfm?pageId=524

I've heard that the IRO wheels are decent, though I've never used them myself...
http://www.irofixedgear.com/index.as...PROD&ProdID=45

I'd say that you're gonna have a tough time finding anything decent for under $150...though someone will probably dispute that. Good luck.

bicyclewheels.com ain't bad, either.

Holy crap, those guys are cheap!

Yeah, I'm about as novice as one can get on the whole singlespeed and fixed gear type of riding. So, for my situation, would it be best to go with a wheelset with a splined hub and then use spacers and a freewheel to create my bike, or should I go for a singlespeed-specific wheelset? I've found these on eBay, but I'm skeptical. And I've looked at PricePoint for the wheels and came up on a nice FSA set for about $150. Thanks.

Bal

Great site. Thanks a bunch. Now if someone could just help me decide on what set. Thanks again.

Bal

Well...it depends on what kind of ride you want. If you want to ride fixed, then you're going to need a track-cog specific hub (which has two-step threading, to accommodate both a threaded cog and a reverse-threaded lockring). If you just want SS, then a converted road wheel will work. If yer gonna buy new wheels, I'd suggest that you get the track-specific wheelset. Most stock fixed wheels use a "flip-flop" hub, which has threads for a fixed cog on one side, and threads for a SS freewheel on the other. With a setup like this, you can ride both fixed or free...much more versatile for the money.

As for the eBay wheels, I don't know the brand...but I don't have extensive experience with wheel brands. Somebody else might know.

http://shop.greatdealsonbikes.com/me...tegory_Code=TR

boom. Get these, they are cheap an pretty much bomb proof. end of story

New too, however
 

I converted on old shwinn to a fixed gear bike two months ago have put about 2000 miles on it in the last two months. I bought two low end wheels from my LBS for $40 eacj and have never looked back. I also don't have a track hub. I used a spare bottom bracket lockring with some thread lock and haven't had my wheel come off yet. When I changed my back cog from 16 to 18 two weeks ago I had to fight with the sumbit... (my daughter's watching me type) to get it off. Good luck - you really don't have to spend a lot of money.

(The new pedals and road shoes I bought today, now that set me back...)

+1
I'm using these now on my fixed gear, they're great if a little heavy.

i wish they had them in black

Well I really like these wheels from PricePoint, but they're not really intended for singlespeed. Will there be a difference in performance in respect to wheels if I use singlespeed-specific as opposed to wheels that are intended for cassettes? I understand I can use spacers to align the chain, but would I just be better off with a wheel designed for singlespeed? Thanks.

Bal

Yeah, you might start a real sh*tstorm promoting that a new rider go with a suicide hub. A few guys use 'em, but I think that pointing a total neophyte that direction is irresponsible. If he doesn't know his way around fixed/SS wheels enough to pick out a wheelset, then he's got no business cobbing together something like that.

OP, buy a single-specific wheelset. $80 isn't much to spend for safety.

Like I said earlier...if you want SS only, you can convert a cassette wheel. If you want to ride fixed, you'll need a track hub.

http://shop.greatdealsonbikes.com/me...tegory_Code=TR

Weinmann LP-18 rims are lighter (by almost 0.5 a pound), cheaper and low-profile, for those who like that. But, at $110 for a supposedly handbuilt wheelset, do they suck? And it doesn't look like there's even space for them to be machined for brakes, but is **** also the case with the DP-18's?

I just got a set of the Weimann LP -18's / Formula Hubs, from Bicyclewheels.com

Haven't put any real miles on them, but they seem pretty nice. Flip-flop (fixed/free), true out of the box, hubs roll smooth, the rims aren't machined but they stop pretty good.

IMO they were worth the ~$120 spent.

Thanks. Then it looks like I've found a wheelset. Even w/shipping (~50) and duties (15%) to Canada it's a pretty good deal.

from bicyclewheels.com? they state pretty clearly that they only ship to the u.s.

Those wheels are another poor choice for a few reasons.
-quick release rear. makes it hard to keep from slipping in horizontal drops.
-free hub designed for multispeed cassettes. cant be redished, will need extra parts to run single, cant run fixed.
-too light weight. at this price point, a 1700g wheel set is not going to be very strong for daily riding, hitting potholes, jumping curbs etc. They will probably give you issues unless babied.

wrong tool for the job...

wheels along the lines of the wienman/formula ones would be a great choice.

hmmmmm.....

I am only three months passed being a complete neophyte. Other than minor repairs, this fixie is the first bike I put together, using a good bike maintenace book, buying tools when I got to the point where I needed them and asking a lot of questions at my LBS.

I didn't know what a track hub is when I bought the wheels. I read about using the bottom bracket lock ring somewhere on the internet and it seemed like a good idea to me. I would think that riding a regular hub without a lock ring is dangerous. However, using a lock ring, secured with some thread lock seems pretty bomber to me. Is this not the case?

I also mostly use a front brake to stop and decelerate, so I'm not spending a lot of time working the cog in the wrong direction.

Anyway - I sure wouldn't want anyone to hurt themselves based on my advice. So take my advice for what it is, advice from a neophyte.

I'm curious though, how likely is it that this configuration would actually come off?

Why? If he's only going to make an SS, not having a lockring won't hurt. I wouldn't do it with a fixie though.

Tim