Buying a Bike Wheel

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  Cheeper on 10/02/2015 - 13:11

  Did the original rim buckle because of an impact or just the daily wear and tear caused it to fail?
  I am 100kg but don't do the k's you do and easily get 10yrs out of a supermarket bike.
  Take it to a bike store and see what they have to match the old one, it should come with warranty.
  < $200 should buy a classy rim.

• 

  sourdawg on 10/02/2015 - 13:35

  It buckled because I had to pull up to avoid a car that had stopped in the middle of the bike path. Unfortunately due to not really thinking about what I was doing I pulled the back brake and didn't stop fast enough, had turn turn to avoid the car while skidding and it twisted my wheel real bad.
  I know I can go to a bike shop but am checking here for value first. Cheers

• 

  blitz on 10/02/2015 - 14:59

  +1

  Sorry about the accident, but great that you're getting back on the bike!

  So assuming this is your ride:
  https://www.norco.com/bikes/city/urban/indie/

  and you haven't changed the wheels, you need a 700c rim. Don't bother getting the old one repaired, new rims at that level are easy to find. Sign up for their reward club (free) and get this wheelset for $129:

  http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/SHWHSN0R5/title/shimano-…

  The R500 is a good wheelset, light but tough.

  • 

    c64 on 10/02/2015 - 16:03

    depends on what his tyre width is. the wheel is for 20-23mm. i'm assuming his hybrid has wider rims, 30-40mm?

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  raffaharley on 10/02/2015 - 16:11

  +1

  Personally I would look at the safety and durability aspect and get the best bargain with that in mind. Being 110 kg puts a lot of load on your wheels and having the wheel turned while putting a lot of weight on it as you stop catches the wheel in one of its most vulnerable positions. One thing to consider is are you going to be okay with having two different looking wheels on your bike…You might want to see if you can get a similar looking wheel off the shelf somewhere. Velogear, Torpedo7, Wiggle, Chainreaction, Moruya Cycles etc might be good places to look on the web. Otherwise take your old wheel to your LBS and see if they can match something similar. If possible get a wheel with more spokes….Yours might have 32 spokes, but 36 or 40 would be stronger especially with the incident you had. You will need a new hub if you go for the extra spokes and go for the strongest lacing pattern for your spokes..again your LBS should be able to sort you out with this. Velocity wheels used to be made in Australia but I think the yanks have bought them out. They should still be available here again ask your LBS…see http://www.velocityusa.com/product/rim_applications/cyclocro… for more info.

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  2ndeffort on 11/02/2015 - 23:24

  +1

  OK, looking at the bike on the Norco website, the example there has disc brakes. 700c size disc brake wheels are still a little bit niche (unlike MTB wheels) and not as common as rim brake wheels. If you want the cheapest option my recommendation is to look for one of the swap groups on Facebook like buy/sell roadbikes and ask there for a 32 spoke 700c disc brake wheel that will take 32 size tyres. You also need to swap across the rear casette (the cogs that the chain sits on) from the broken wheel to the new one. As a result you need a wheel with a rear 'freehub body' that suits the type of casette your bike uses. Website says 'Altus 24 speed' so I am assuming a triple front rings and an 8 speed rear. You will therefore need a Shimano rear freehub that takes an 8 speed casette. I think any of the 10 speed freehubs work but you need a couple of spacers. Sounds a bit complicated, I guess that's why the bike shop guys are handy to make sure you get the right thing.

  Issue will be getting what you want specifically. If you consider custom I would try Greg at TWE Bike Wheels. http://www.twebikewheels.com.au/am_xc_all_day.html I have bought a couple of custom sets of wheels off Greg and he is great to deal with. He knows all there is to know about wheels. He will be able to make you whatever kind of wheel you want and he can advise on the best options over the phone. (he prefers to talk over the phone versus emails). I am sure there are other good wheelbuilders around but I have had good experiences with Greg and he will make sure the wheel is good for a 110kg rider, disc brakes, wider tyres, right freehub etc etc.

  Cheapest option will be the swap boards on facebook or Gumtree but you will have to know what to buy

  Next cheapest will be online shops like wiggle, ribble, merlin or chainreaction but once again you will need to know what to buy and you will have to swap the casette across and change the tyre etc yourself

  Next cheapest is probably a good bike shop selling you a budget wheel. They will probably add a bit of convenience by setting it all up fgor you and making sure you get the right thing. Cheap wheel though might mean you are back there next year with the same thing.

  Next cheapest probably a custom wheel but with that you can get some good advice and get a good wheel that should last.

  All depends on how much you are prepared to do yourself and how convenient you want it all to be.

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  sourdawg on 12/02/2015 - 23:46

  Thanks heaps for the advice guys, I think I am going to get a local guy to build me a wheel. Velocity dyad rim, novatech hub and not sure what spokes for 225, unless anyone believes this is a ripoff (don't mind paying a bit for local)
  Cheers