So I have a fixed gear Jamis Sputnik 2009 track bike (used for commuting in Chicago) and need a new wheelset. I don't really know what to get, other than I want some sort of "internal" housing/sealed bearings (not sealed mechanism). I'm guessing I can just transfer the flip flop hub over from my current wheelset, but I'm not sure. Anyways, do i need to get a track bike wheelset, or will road bike ones work fine too? I was hoping to spend under 200 on it. I came across this and it looked decent- https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...72_-1___202478

Any others you would recommend in its place?

I was also looking at this one but im not sure if its sealed bearings or not.

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0052_517441_-1

The first set of wheels are for geared road bikes and won't work. The second set have cheap non-sealed hubs. Go peruse the wheels at Velomine, and come back after you've looked there and seen some of their track wheelsets.

https://www.velomine.com/index.php?ma...x&cPath=87_172

Also, these are a good bet >>> https://www.retro-gression.com/produc...track-wheelset

You can also check out the Wabi wheels ( https://www.wabicycles.com/7301-wheels.html ) , I've never rode them but a lot of people here seem to fawn over them. A little over budget though.

I have the Wabi wheels and like them a lot, but they are over the OP's budget, which is why I didn't mention them. Velomine wheels are the best bang for the buck quality wheels you can buy. The only downside is that they tend to be a bit heavy, but they are bomb-proof. I paid only $119 + shipping each for two Velomine wheelsets, both built with rebranded Formula sealed cartridge hubs.

Which ones at velomine?

Also- if the wabis are that great, maybe i should just spend the money.

I like Sun Rims to Formula hubs for a solid budget-friendly wheel.

'09 Sputnik came with Alex DA22 rims on sealed Formula hubs, which is a decent enough wheelset. What is wrong with the wheels you have now? Is something broken? Or are you looking to upgrade? You trying to save weight? Looking for sturdy? Willing to pay-up to get it all?

The lower priced options from Velomine are a sideways move for you at best, but dig into the link TejanoTrackie provided and you will find that they do have a lot of other nice choices such as Veeps, Formation Face, or Open Pro rims laced to Formula hubs that are in your $200 budget.

FWIW, I love my borrowed set of old-style Wabis, you could do a lot worse than find the extra cash to buy your wheels from them...

I have DP18 to Formula hubs from Velomine. Probably the most budget set they sell but they've served me great commuting every day in Los Angeles for over six months so far.

this!!!! If you want to run tires 28c or larger get CR18's.... smaller and the M13's are great

I took my bike to my custom mechanic and he said they were beat to hell (i bought it used) and he trued them as best he could but i needed a new wheelset. I think he said they weren't sealed, so this might be an 08. I know hes not jerking me around b/c he wasn't trying to sell me the wheelset, he just said he'd charge a small amount to install em- hes pretty legit.

And weight doesn't really matter that much, I'm more concerned with sturdy.

+1.

I bought the vuelta zerolites on that sale. They're my first fixed gear wheels and the low price is what helped me finally make the leap. I've been riding them for about a month. They work fine, were delivered true and with uniform tension (at least by ear, according to the pitch of each spoke).

That said, it was an impulse buy and I already wish I had done a little more research and bought better wheels. If I had not liked the feel of riding fixed gear, I probably would be happy that I hadn't blown much money on the wheels. However, I do like it, so I have a touch of buyer's remorse. 50% more up front cost probably would yield a 100% better wheel - with sealed bearings and stainless spokes, better eyeletted rims, etc.

Bottom line: Go with some of the alternatives recommended above. Take another month to save up and get a pair of wheels that will stand up better and longer.

Are there specific ones you would recommend over the other?

For narrower tires get M13 and for wider tires get CR18.

Are sealed "cartridge" bearings okay?

mavic open pro to formula, mavic cxp22 to formula, hplussun tb14 to formula, sun cr18 or m13's to formula or dp18 to formula.

WHat if I was able to get these for 80? And are sealed cartridge Bearings okay?

https://www.amazon.com/Vuelta-Zerolit.../dp/B002JBAHS8

Those are road wheels for geared bikes, not compatible with a track bike. Yes on sealed cartridge bearings though, that is a good thing.