Sturmey Archer hub in am MTB rim?

[Chris S]

How difficult would it be to have a wheel made up with a Sturmey Archer hub in a 559 rim?

Would there be a problem obtaining spokes the correct length?

The reason I'm asking is that I'm happy with my 3-speed but would like to use more modern wheels and tyres.

 

[tyred]

I don't see why there would be a problem. A decent bike shop or wheel builder would be able to advise. Most AW hubs are 36 hole and many MTBs have 36 hole rims so that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[corshamjim]

I had mine built by St John Street Cycles. If you send them the hub you can choose the rim and they'll sort out the spoke lengths and build the wheel for you. It's probably best to give them a call before placing an order.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/wheel-build-dept866_pg1/

I was astonished that P&P to post the completed wheel to me was only £5. The turnaround time was a couple of weeks - that was a few months ago though - it might be a little longer if it's busier now.

Note that their wheel build doesn't include rim tape so you'll need to include that in your order too (unless you already have some handy).

I have another one that needs doing which I'll take to my LBS, as I already have the hub and rim. I can then have a 'summer' and 'winter' wheel and swap them over when the roads get icy rather than wrestling with Marathon Plus tyres twice a year.

 

[XC26]

How difficult would it be to have a wheel made up with a Sturmey Archer hub in a 559 rim?

Would there be a problem obtaining spokes the correct length?

The reason I'm asking is that I'm happy with my 3-speed but would like to use more modern wheels and tyres.

Building your own wheels is fairly straightforward. Visit Sheldon Brown's wheel building web pages for details. Trickiest part is calculating the spoke length for your choice of hub and rim. There are plenty of online spoke length calculators out there. I've managed 6 wheels to date.

 

[Zoiders]

I had mine built by St John Street Cycles. If you send them the hub you can choose the rim and they'll sort out the spoke lengths and build the wheel for you. It's probably best to give them a call before placing an order.

http://www.sjscycles...ld-dept866_pg1/

I was astonished that P&P to post the completed wheel to me was only £5. The turnaround time was a couple of weeks - that was a few months ago though - it might be a little longer if it's busier now.

Note that their wheel build doesn't include rim tape so you'll need to include that in your order too (unless you already have some handy).

I have another one that needs doing which I'll take to my LBS, as I already have the hub and rim. I can then have a 'summer' and 'winter' wheel and swap them over when the roads get icy rather than wrestling with Marathon Plus tyres twice a year.

Try ordering just a spoke nipple - singular.

Then see how shocked you are about the $5 delivery fee

 

[biggs682]

i am sure my lbs would do it if you are struggling .

cant see a reason why it should'nt work

 

[Nick Salt]

I've done it, the spokes I used were from a front mtb disk brake wheel. Most spokes were fine, but as the hub had 40 holes and the rim only 36, there were 8 spokes that were really hard work getting the nipple to catch the thread.

The spoke length is about 254mm laced 3 cross, if you've got the same issue with 4 spare holes in the hub get 8 spokes with 258mm length to save a lot of swearing.

 

[Nick Salt]

I didn't find it worth the effort btw, there are enough 26 x 1 3/8 tyre options for my taste, plus you can get brand new rims from sjs and ebay if you need them.

Edit: forgot to mention pedal clearance becomes an issue on fast corners too!