Wheel Building

[threebikesmcginty]

I'm currently building up a road bike using a nice 30 year old 531c frame.

I was thinking of buying an entire groupset as this seems to be cheaper than buying components individually.

Not sure that ebay is going to work out any cheaper either once you add all the postage into the equation and there's so many old rogues who'll flog you any old tat as 'hardly used' or 'nearly new' - whatever that means! Bidding seems to get into a frenzy with some items seemingly going for more than new!

Anyway - if you buy a groupset you get hubs - so is it worth using these and having wheels built, building them yourself or buying a new wheelset and flogging the hubs?

 

[jimboalee]

There was a time where one could buy a groupo 'ex-hubs'.

I don't think that would have changed.

 

[Landslide]

Many shops seem to sell ex-hubs as their default option these days.

 

[kyuss]

Yep, very few groupsets include the hubs these days. They're often in the picture of the groupset but rarely included in the price unless it specifically says so.

 

[dellzeqq]

I'm currently building up a road bike using a nice 30 year old 531c frame.

there is no way on earth I'd get on a 30 year old 531C frame. There wasn't enough metal in these to begin with, and they corrode. And I write as someone whose 531C frame was the most marvellous thing......until it folded. I have a magnesium frame I could be parted from if you really want to live dangerously...

I was thinking of buying an entire groupset as this seems to be cheaper than buying components individually.

yup. But getting anything at 2008 prices would be good.

Anyway - if you buy a groupset you get hubs - so is it worth using these and having wheels built, building them yourself or buying a new wheelset and flogging the hubs?

I don't know how much you'd get for the hubs. Mine are six years old, and in perfect condition, having had three or four re-builds, so the market for hubs might be weaker than the market for rims. Why not go for a pair of Shimano 'stock' wheels?

 

[threebikesmcginty]

there is no way on earth I'd get on a 30 year old 531C frame.

Not even with a helmet on Dell?

 

[dellzeqq]

Not even with a helmet on Dell?

I think I had that one coming.......

 

[e-rider]

rear hub spacing will be different on that old frame anyway, so any new rear hub will not fit easily

 

[e-rider]

and is it drilled for allen key brakes - if not, your new brake calipers will not fit either!

 

[jimboalee]

What size is the frame?

 

[fossyant]

Nothing wrong with 531c - if it was oiled then it will be fine - i.e. no internal corrosion - it's something most 'enthusiasts' did when they took delivery - I certainly did - swished waxoil and lube mix in the frame - result = no corrosion after 18 years !!

 

[threebikesmcginty]

What size is the frame?

It's 22.5" - is that relevant?

 

[threebikesmcginty]

***Calling Jimboalee, calling Jimboalee!!!***

Appreciate your help on this one Jim as you seem a very knowledgable chap in all things bike related and apart from riding and basic maintenance I'm a bit of a thickie. I've been and got some wheels and, of course, I need to widen the rear stays 8mm.
Sheldon has a lovely article on this subject and I'm quite happy to give it a go - am I likey to knacker the frame?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

Please, anyone else chip in if you fancy!

 

[Landslide]

Unless you're particularly heavy-handed, you should be OK. Bear in mind that if you're re-spacing from (e.g.) 122mm to 130mm then if you can get the frame to ~128mm you can probably spring the stays apart the final ~2mm by hand when you put the wheel in. Sheldon's caveats apply...