Replacing the rear wheel

[rattle]

Hi guys,

I'm still pretty new to the mechanics of a bike so I was hoping someone could confirm a few things for me.

I have a Raleigh Elan 501 as pictured here: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/vi...ghlight=&sid=fe53345f3578cb25bac89ea5a9411d27
(picture is not of my bike)

I'm looking to reduce the weight by changing the wheels for something cheap like these:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shimano-Tiagr...keparts_SR&hash=item53e3c3c508#ht_2210wt_1139

1. The Shimano WH-R500s are listed as supporting 10,9 and 8 speed cassettes: will all I need to migrate my 7 speed cassette from my Raleigh wheels be a spacer?


2. The wheels that come with the bike are alloy (I think); will there be much of a weigh difference in buying new ones?

3. Can anyone else recommend any other ways to reduce the weight without going fixie?
Perhaps buy a new chainset?



Thank you!!

 

[Manonabike]

Hi guys,

I'm still pretty new to the mechanics of a bike so I was hoping someone could confirm a few things for me.

I have a Raleigh Elan 501 as pictured here: http://www.retrobike...ac89ea5a9411d27
(picture is not of my bike)

I'm looking to reduce the weight by changing the wheels for something cheap like these:
http://cgi.ebay.co.u...#ht_2210wt_1139

1. The Shimano WH-R500s are listed as supporting 10,9 and 8 speed cassettes: will all I need to migrate my 7 speed cassette from my Raleigh wheels be a spacer?


2. The wheels that come with the bike are alloy (I think); will there be much of a weigh difference in buying new ones?
.
3. Can anyone else recommend any other ways to reduce the weight without going fixie?
Perhaps buy a new chainset?



Thank you!!

I did something very similar last year, although the reason was to fit STI shifters.

I think you can migrate the cassette by using a 4.5mm spacer, having said that cassettes are not so expensive and maybe it's worth buying a new one.

My wheels date from 89/90 approximately and I was in two minds about buying a cheap set, like the ones in your link, for my new SS project. A couple of days ago I made the decision, after weighting my old wheels, that the difference in weight is hardly any so I'll use them.... before you buy new wheels perhaps you should weight them and compare with the ones in the link.

I found that I saved a little bit of weight in a new chainset and also the new chainset feels better.... the old one is not 100% circle shape and definitely doesn't seem to be as efficient

Where I made a REAL weight savings..... was in my body! - I lost about 4 stones and that made a huge difference.... so I guess I lost the equivalent of two bikes lol

 

[rattle]

Thanks for your reply!

One reason I'd be hesitant about changing my cassette to maybe an 8 speed is that the gear leavers (I don't know the technical term), they click at each gear change. Wouldn't that mean that changing the cassette would make the gear changes un-synced with the click?
Is there much a weight difference in modern cassettes that from those back in the late 80s?

I'll weigh my wheels first but as silly as it is I think some nice modern black wheels would look a lot more aesthetically pleasing on a vintage racer.


Are you able to recommend any chainset replacements or should I just scour ebay?


thanks again!

 

[Manonabike]

Thanks for your reply!

One reason I'd be hesitant about changing my cassette to maybe an 8 speed is that the gear leavers (I don't know the technical term), they click at each gear change. Wouldn't that mean that changing the cassette would make the gear changes un-synced with the click?
Is there much a weight difference in modern cassettes that from those back in the late 80s?

I'll weigh my wheels first but as silly as it is I think some nice modern black wheels would look a lot more aesthetically pleasing on a vintage racer.


Are you able to recommend any chainset replacements or should I just scour ebay?


thanks again!

Well, yes you do have a point there with the cassette...... not sure if you can use an 8 speed cassette with 7 speed shifters. The click you hear tells you they are indexed gears Perhaps another forum member can tell you more about 7 speed shifters and 8 speed cassettes.

As for the cranckset I just went for something middle of the road.... shimano 105 would be fine I think.

As for an old cassette and new cassettes..... I cannot make a fear comparison on weigh because my 7 speedn cassette was for speed with small sprockets while the new one was much bigger. Cassettes nowadays should be lighter but less durable I would think.

One important issue here is the gap between your drop outs..... my guess is that that would be 126mm and you would need 130mm to fit new wheels unless you get a 7 speed hub fitted. Read about it here

 

[Big John]

Some years ago I had the same idea as you. Get some light wheels, change this, change that. I virtually went into a bike shop with a blank cheque and the owner told me not to bother. He could have sold me a shedload of stuff but he didn't. He told me to save up and either buy a new lightweight bike or a decent second hand one.

I train on a relatively heavy winter bike. It's got good wheels and a half decent group set but it's still on the heavy side. Great training though. When we get into the racing season and I switch to my summer bike (carbon fibre - not that I'm a great fan of carbon fibre) you can really feel the difference.

I've never sat down and worked it out but the owner of that shop told me it costs roughly a grand to save a pound in weight. He told me to lose a few pounds through diet/training and save a fortune.

If your budget will allow I'd just get a lighter bike and train on the one you've got during the winter.

I used to have an Elan, by the way.Cracking bike. My winter bike probably weighs as much as your Elan.

 

[PpPete]

20 / 24 spokes ?
Might look smart & modern & fashionable, but break just one spoke and they are unrideable at best, fit for the bin at worst.

Get some quality handbuilt 32 spoke wheels - something like this, might not be as light, but you'll notice the difference in stiffness and hence performance, which is just as important as weight IMO, and they'll last a LOT longer.

 

[Manonabike]

20 / 24 spokes ?
Might look smart & modern & fashionable, but break just one spoke and they are unrideable at best, fit for the bin at worst.

Get some quality handbuilt 32 spoke wheels - something like this, might not be as light, but you'll notice the difference in stiffness and hence performance, which is just as important as weight IMO, and they'll last a LOT longer.

I've heard good things about those wheels, I might go for a set of those at some point

I'm not saying this is the right way but I got myself a set of Shimano R550 16 / 20 spokes - I liked the look of them but then I began to think that maybe I was too heavy for them.... I asked around the forums but I got very conflicting suggestions so since I had them I thought I might as well try them :-) they have been on my bike ever since. When I first put them on I was about 18.5 stones and they are still going strong. Maybe I just got lucky cause it does make sense what you are saying.

 

[the snail]

I'd leave it as is, if it's 501 it's never going to be super-light, and you could end up throwing quite a lot of money at it, as well as possibly getting caught out making new/old components work together. I think I'd save my pennies and look out for an older bike with 531, columbus tubes or similar, or a more modern bike.