Wheels stolen - replacement advice

[mightyquin]

The wheels on my MTB (Kona) were stolen when it was left at a train station the other morning (someone had borrowed it, I wouldn't have left them unlocked).

Can I just check (not being very up on the tech stuff about bikes) but if you buy a new set of wheels mail order, are they ready to fit or do they need setting up (I know spokes can need adjusting etc. but would this be all OK on new wheels?).

I suspect I know the answer already. The friend who borrowed the bike said they'd order some new wheels but personally I'd rather they take the bike to a shop to be fixed. Difficult…..

 

[I like Skol]

You will need lots more things besides the wheels.

• Rim tape
• Inner tubes
• Tyres (what size/brand/tread)
• Quick releases (do the new wheels include these?)
• Brake discs or rim brake specific wheels (If discs, what size? Fr and Rr are often different)
• Cassette (how many gears and what ratios?)
• New chain (Old chains don't usually work well on a new cassette and vice a versa)

Finally, set-up is important. If rim brakes then the pad alignment is critical. You don't want the pads rubbing the tyre or diving into the spokes when you grab the brakes. Rear derailiur will need checking as the indexing and stop screws could need tweaking if the hub spacing isn't quite identical to the old wheels. The wheels should in theory be ready to use straight out of the box without any tweaking. If they are not right then return them to the supplier!

 

[raleighnut]

Avoid getting QR wheels- Too easily stolen, bolt on are far better or go for Allen key skewers/security skewers