Disc brake wheel set on road/hybrid....

[som3blok3]

Hi.

I'm a bit new so go easy, just did a quick search on my queston but can't find it so it should be cool .

I've had a Boardman Hybrid Comp for the past 8 weeks and love it to bits. Have so far up-graded the tyres from the 28c 'Detonators' to a pair of 25c 'Armadillos' (after 2 punctures in 3 days!) and the saddle to a nice specialized jobby.

I really want to lighten the 'unbranded' rims, as I feel they are the heaviest part of the bike! Looking around though I seem to be a bit limited as to whats on the market. The bike gets used as a road bike on a 20 mile daily commute but with flat bars (obviously ) so I need skinny rims that can take 23c-25c tyres but need to have a 6 bolt mount for the disc brakes.

Does anybody have the same issues as me?
Does anybody have any suggestions, please?

Was knocked off the other day by a stupid Civic driver and the back wheel now has a slight buckle, not sure if I can 'true' it by spoke adjustment, thats all still a new world for me to enter. Would rather just kill two birds and get new rims

Thanks in advance,

Steve.

 

[rusky]

Hi Steve,

Sorry to hear about your off. I hope you reported the driver to the police & got his insurance details.

I have a Marin Muirwoods & would like to replace the wheels so I'm in the same boat as you. TBH, your best option might be to visit a local bike shop see what they can do for you but my guess is you'll be looking at around £200 for a new wheelset.

 

[som3blok3]

Hi Rusky.

Thanks for the reply, I'll look around the LBS, £200 is around my budget so fingers crossed!!

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

A tough one I think, generally 700c / 29er factory disc wheels are for mountains/xc, while can be very light (for a price of course) the rims aren't narrow like road rims.

IMHO you will have to have them built to specification. Unless you know the answer already it might be wise to check that your rear hub has an over locknut distance of 135mm (i.e. mtb spec, which is likely) rather than 130mm (road spec, unlikely, and trouble since few if any disc hub this size is on the market).

Then 1) choose respected wheel builder (e.g. Harry Rowland), with builder's help 2) choose disc hub (e.g. Deore), 3) choose light 700c road rims (e.g. Open Pro), 4) choose light spokes (e.g. DT revolution). Since hubs don't contribute to the all important rotational inertia, avoid choosing a light (expensive) hub will help you hit a price closer to your target.

Hope it helps.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

SJS Cycles or Merlin can supply you what you want from stock or built to order pronto. Be warned the options are near endless!

Why not just get a new pair of rims relaced onto your existing disc hubs by a decent LBS?

I know what you mean about truing though. I've been cycling for donkey's and am just about to build my very first wheel from scratch. Bit of a black art which turns out not to be. (I'm hoping)

 

[I like Skol]

Definitely consider building your own wheels. I have been doing it since my teens and have probably 'only' built a dozen sets if that. But I taught myself and have never looked back. The first wheel I built was with second hand hub, rim and spokes just to learn the craft. I bet there is loads of info on't'net if you look so even easier for you, I just jumped in at the deep end and went for it in my teens in the late 80's.

One thing I will say about self built wheels, and this may be because I am doing it wrong or over tensioning the spokes, but I have never had to re-true my wheels unlike purchased wheels I had experienced up until that point (even ones built by LBS's to order). I also never bought any fancy wheel building jigs. Simply lace the hub into the rim while sat on the sofa watching TV then put the wheel into an upturned frame for the stages of trueing and tightening the wheel.
I even built a set for my hamfisted and overweight brother for his road bike and despite frequently ruining his previous wheels the ones I built never needed truing. I am not trying to say I am the worlds best wheel builder but if you do it yourself you can match or beat the quality of a wheel from a hurried commercial wheel builder.

 

[bad boy]

I have a cdale bboy I use for the commute and have had some mavic cxp22's hand built up on xt disk hubs can't complain been pleased with them so far do the job well and better than most stock rims your find on a hybrid with disks.

Think they came in about 230 !? I'll double check tomorrow but these or some mavic open pros on deore or xt disk hubs would get my vote.

 

[som3blok3]

Well, now I'm stuck?! Do I go to the LBS and have a chat, or me being me shall I get my hands dirty and build them from scratch? The only thing that scares me is the spokes but having looked around the net there's enough help out there. Mmmmmmm
Decisions decisions!!

 

[som3blok3]

Thanks badboy, I'm gonna start doing some research on componants.

 

[som3blok3]

This is how everything in life should be written out, black and white. Just spent ten minutes reading the link below and ten minutes with my bike upside down at work and now have a completely true back wheel, amazing!!

http://www.bikemagic.com/maintenance/wheel-truing-basics/3041.html

I used the biro/rubber band technique in picture # 3, worked a treat.

Feel really spurred on to do my own wheels now though, I'll post details and pics when they're done. Should be a week or two, just waiting for the crimbo bonus ......

Thanks all!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

This is worth every penny.

 

[som3blok3]

Ok, ordered the wheels through my LBS but I'm chickening out on the build, going to get them built for me.

I figured that trying a new 'Art' on some brand new hubs and rims could be risky, I'll have a play with the old rims when they're off. Take them apart and then rebuild them, I'll be a master wheel builder before you can say "snapped spoke" !!!

Going to pick them up on Wednesday, although with the snow and potholes that will be left after the snow I'm not going out on them until the new year.

£235 all in, not too bad, this is what I got for my money....

Oh, and whilst I was there.....

That should all save a bit of weight, well, it is the season for giving.... A few gifts for my trusty steed!!

 

[HJ]

I used Mavic Open Pros rims for my disc wheel build too...