This is my first post on .83 but I've been browsin' for a couple weeks now, learning out rides and such. I've got an older craigslist ss ride that feels pretty shaky. A shop recommended I get a decent chain tensioner and a new wheel set to improve performance. Now, the bike’s not a gem and I don’t want to throw too much dough at it. Question is: can I get away with having just a beefy rear wheel and keep my stock crap-o front one to keep the price down? If so, can anyone advise me on a decent (but nothing overkill) rear set-up and where I might find it? Said shop quoted me $300 for a set with a 3 year warranty. How’s that price.
I know this is a rather broad question but I’m slowly getting into this stuff and just need some friendly guidance. I’ll try to link a pic of the bike so you can get an idea of what I’m working with.
Thanks is advance,
Blair
the dreaded ben
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:44 am
Grumpy GreebJoined: 20 Aug 2005Posts: 5329Location: flavor country
some background would be helpful.
maybe even a pic or two.
lantius
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:49 am
1337Joined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 6705Location: right over
that's a nice lookin' ride, frankly. how do you mean "shaky"? you might consider looking for a frame with horizontal drops (not always the easiest to find) or playing around with your chainring/cog combination until you get one that is the 'magic length' where the tensioner is unnecessary.
as far as wheels i'd say $300 for a set is pretty average from what i've seen - $40 rim, $40 hub, $20 spokes, $50 labor times two wheels? i can't really tell from the photo, what seems to be wrong with the wheels you've got on there?
sekai
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:49 am
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 1466Location: on the lake
ben, what to do you think? i'm a big fan of building your own wheels, go too aaron's or wrights bro's for a class. build good wheels, you can switch them to another bike someday.
the dreaded ben
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:02 am
Grumpy GreebJoined: 20 Aug 2005Posts: 5329Location: flavor country
lantius wrote:
that's a nice lookin' ride, frankly.
i can't really tell from the photo, what seems to be wrong with the wheels you've got on there?
ahh, lee am i missing something?
SeditiousCanary
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:14 am
sorry, can't make it!Joined: 26 Jan 2006Posts: 2315Location: Fremont Troll
Hey Blair,
So here is what I would do.
First, Come out to the ride tonight at Westlake Center. I'll be there (as will others) and I can look at what you have to help you with the steps below.
Second, figure out if the hubs and rims you have now are worth reusing or not. Most of your cost will be in these two things. Spokes will be about $.50 each, so you are looking at $36.00 for spokes unless you want something butted, black or weird.
Third, if you need to replace either the hubs or rims, get something quality, but don't break the bank. King hubs are great, but you don't need them on a beater. Something high flanged and sealed is pretty easy to score for cheapish. Last I saw, Recycled had a few Suzie Sealed BMX hubs in their hub bins for cheap that would he idea for this sort of thing. I don't know how many spokes they are drilled for, but I hope it's 36 is you need new hubs. As to rims, I'd stick to Sun, Velocity or Mavic in about that order. Get double eyelets if you can to make building and trueing easier.
Forth, get DT spokes or Phil Wood spokes. Phils are better, but cost more and are harder to find. Aaron's Bicycle Repair sells them and will cut them to size for you at a very reasonable fee. DT you can find about anywhere.
Fifth, buy two sixers of good beer and let me know when you are ready to go. I'd be happy to have you over to meet the wife and dogs for a leason in wheelbuilding. Or you can pay a shop to do it. Aaron's Bicycle Repair will true any wheel they build from new parts for as long as you own them.
See you at Westlake tonight, at 19:00.
Last edited by SeditiousCanary on Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:14 am; edited 1 time in total
the dreaded ben
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:54 am
Grumpy GreebJoined: 20 Aug 2005Posts: 5329Location: flavor country
as far as chain tensioners go:
you aren't using qr's with horizontal drops are you?
if so the cheapest fix is to convert it to a bolt on axle, or just get the allen wrench bolt on qr's.
and speaking of hubs, i happen to just come into a brand new surly fixed hubset, lockring, and cog (thanks chris) and may be willing to part with them on the cheap and cheap.
Vann
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:01 am
Joined: 03 Mar 2006Posts: 311
the dreaded ben wrote:
and speaking of hubs, i happen to just come into a brand new surly fixed hubset, lockring, and cog (thanks chris) and may be willing to part with them on the cheap and cheap.
to be honest, you kinda let me down last week.
i expected you to start drinkin beer from the bags those pieces came in ... ala the greenlake race chalice.
your gettin soft ben, soft and slow.
josh m
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 2:50 pm
Joined: 09 Jan 2006Posts: 448Location: portland
I dropped:
$70 fixed/fixed Surley hub
$60 front surly hub
$70x2 velocity deep v rim
$45 for black spokes
+24pack of pbr to have them built.
I'm picking up some Sunrim black deepv's for $50 on friday and probably building them up w/ surly hubs. I think i'll make an all black fixie w/ a brake since i have the all red track now.
Anyway. I love my deep v's . I have beat the shit out of them, I've even rode the rear one for 10 blocks on a flat and it is completely true.
Aaron
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 5:53 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
6 pack's get you at least a $10 discount at my shop, plus I give you a lifetime warranty and will even replace broken spokes years later, even if you crash for free.
BBG
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:44 am
Joined: 29 Jun 2006Posts: 6Location: Seattle
Hey all,
Great to see such enthusiatic and worthwhile repsonses! Just got back from work about 10 min. ago and am totally beat. Really pissed I missed the ride tonight, and even more pissed no one could cover for me tomorrow for CM, arrgggg! I’ll have some decent replies for ya’ll in the morn; you guys are the best!
-Blair
Aaron
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 9:40 am
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
BBG wrote:
Hey all,
Great to see such enthusiatic and worthwhile repsonses! Just got back from work about 10 min. ago and am totally beat. Really pissed I missed the ride tonight, and even more pissed no one could cover for me tomorrow for CM, arrgggg! I’ll have some decent replies for ya’ll in the morn; you guys are the best!
-Blair
Call in sick!
I MAKE all my employees do CM. We close early for it. It is important!
BBG
Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 8:17 pm
Joined: 29 Jun 2006Posts: 6Location: Seattle
Guys & Gals,
Thanks again for all the help even though I probably didn't provide near enough info.
Lantius: By “shaky” I mean the entire rear of the bike feels like it’s gonna shatter under my (meager) weight when I bomb over ruts and potholes and such. Part of that feeling I’m sure is chain slack. BTW, thanks for the compliment!
Canary: Thanks so much for you willingness to personally help me out. How do I know if the hubs and rims are worth keeping? Hubs are Shimano RM40s and rims are by Weinmann. Rear hub also says Hyperglide on it which, from what I can gather, is just a “genre” of rear hub, no?
Ben: I’m not sure what qr’s are but the frame has vertical or semi-vertical dropout and from what I understand require some kind of chain tensioner. PM me with the price of the Surly hub set, please.
For those of you talking of buying new rims and hubs, where would you get yours?
And what do people say about just getting a single rear wheel. Good idea or bad idea?
-Blair
leah
Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 8:03 am
elderJoined: 10 Feb 2006Posts: 594Location: The Bucket
BBG wrote:
And what do people say about just getting a single rear wheel. Good idea or bad idea?
-Blair
i was truing my rear about a month ago. when it was done i went to crack it's knuckles and the rim just taco-ed. the seam was going to snap any day. i fixed it remotely, rode it for a day, then bought a tougher wheel off a guy i work with. my wheels don't match at all but i'm not worried about my bike failing during a critical maneuver. it was the best option for lil' ol' broke girl. if you're not too vain about your purty ride, i highly recommend it before you get hurt.
_________________ putting the gay back into gangsta.
nail
Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 6:50 pm
Joined: 01 Jul 2006Posts: 86Location: C.D.
Wöndering if the "shaky" feeling isn't related to loose cones on the hubs. I've had a few bone rattling rides on untightened cones... A quick tighten would make it run a bit smoother. Although you'd want to repack the bearings, or just get new hubs and wheels in the long run. Depends if it's your main ride, or a beater. The main ride is worth the juice, you know?, expensive bike parts are still cheaper than cheap car parts...
lieutenantsean
Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:50 pm
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
leah wrote:
i was truing my rear about a month ago. when it was done i went to crack it's knuckles and the rim just taco-ed.
Crack it's knuckles. That is the funniest thing I've ever heard stressing your wheel called.
_________________ Bringing you Retro-Grouchiness since 1984
leah
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 6:22 am
elderJoined: 10 Feb 2006Posts: 594Location: The Bucket
lieutenantsean wrote:
leah wrote:
i was truing my rear about a month ago. when it was done i went to crack it's knuckles and the rim just taco-ed.
Crack it's knuckles. That is the funniest thing I've ever heard stressing your wheel called.
what's better is that you quoted me misusing "it's" instead of "its". the shame is unbearable.
_________________ putting the gay back into gangsta.
lantius
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:39 am
1337Joined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 6705Location: right over
leah wrote:
what's better is that you quoted me misusing "it's" instead of "its". the shame is unbearable.
oh if you want to be possessive it's just i t s,
but if you want to use a contraction it's i t apostrophe s,
scallywag!
sorry. I'll spell check next time. Maybe we need a sticky:
It's=it is
Its= possessive form of it.
examples:
It's ok to prick your finger but not finger your prick.
The dog lifted its leg and whizzed all over the electric fence. This was the last act of its short, unfortunate life.
_________________ Bringing you Retro-Grouchiness since 1984
Alastair
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 9:32 pm
Joined: 12 Jan 2006Posts: 475Location: U-district/Ravenna
Vann wrote:
http://www.scallywagsbikeclub.com/
Scalliwags vs the Dead Babies & Bicycle Jesus. There can be only one.
leah
Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 6:10 am
elderJoined: 10 Feb 2006Posts: 594Location: The Bucket
sorry, lee, no one else seems to have caught your awesome strong bad reference. it made me giggle wildly.
_________________ putting the gay back into gangsta.
Vann
Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 6:57 am
Joined: 03 Mar 2006Posts: 311
leah wrote:
sorry, lee, no one else seems to have caught your awesome strong bad reference. it made me giggle wildly.
no no...i got the strong bad reference, I just thought he'd be more interested in a religious/gutterpunk/bicycle gang who travel by tallbike.
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sorry, can't make it!
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