Is it time to change the front wheel?

[Matthew_T]

I have recently changed my rear wheel as the freewheel had worn down and I wasnt going to mess about attempting to get it off so I just got a wheel with a cassette hub on it.

I am now having major looks at replacing the front wheel as some of the spokes have surface rust on them and the skewer has some rust too. The rim wall is also wearing down but isnt at the replacement stage.
The reason for me asking is that I have had the bike for 7 years and it is the original front wheel. The wheel still runs true and there are no kinks or problems with it. I have recently repainted it to match the new rear wheel.

Is it time for a replacement, or should I wait until something goes wrong (which is inevitable now that I have talked about it)?

 

[Red Light]

Wait until its gone wrong or the rim has worn too much.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I have recently changed my rear wheel as the freewheel had worn down and I wasnt going to mess about attempting to get it off so I just got a wheel with a cassette hub on it.

I'm thinking of changing my car. The ashtray's full and I don't want to mess about trying to empty it.

 

[albion]

If you do not have a big wrench and free-wheel extractor this is usually a good move.

The RIM can be reused later too.

 

[HovR]

To modify one of my favorite sayings, if it ain't broken - Don't replace it!

Surface rust can be removed off spokes and skewers with a light sanding - Although this will also take off any paint if your wheel is painted.

 

[Matthew_T]

Surface rust can be removed off spokes and skewers with a light sanding - Although this will also take off any paint if your wheel is painted.

I repainted the rim (not the braking surface) as the black had smoked out. It is now a nice shiny black gloss. However, the rear wheel has shiny spokes, the front doesnt.
I might try sanding, but could it weaken the spokes if you sand too much?

 

[HovR]

I repainted the rim (not the braking surface) as the black had smoked out. It is now a nice shiny black gloss. However, the rear wheel has shiny spokes, the front doesnt.
I might try sanding, but could it weaken the spokes if you sand too much?

If it's only surface rust, then you'll be fine sanding it off with a fine grit sand paper - Nothing too abrasive. Just don't sand it down too much.

 

[roadrash]

better to use wire wool

 

[HovR]

better to use wire wool

Depends on the severity of the rust - When cleaning up the down tube levers on the Dawes wire wool just wouldn't cut it. But then again if the spokes have got to this stage, Matt'd be better off replacing them.