David Newton

The 26 x 1-3/8" wheel conversion makes this 'slightly large for me' frame just right.

I finally got the new alloy wheels re-spaced, and settled on a tooth count of 18 for the SS freewheel. Found a long reach brake in my pile, hope to get a set of Tektro brakes in the future. If I can sell a guitar soon, maybe a Brooks seat too.

The neighborhood boys seem to approve, they turned from their path and raced along with me to the local park. I am a slow biker, but this one encourages a more aggressive pace.

nlerner

Nice! Fwiw, the wheel designation is 650A or EA3. Are you going to run a rear brake?

Neal

David Newton

Hi Neal.
650A, right, brain fart.
Brakes, yes, I'll get a set.
It stops well enough with one, but I'll want 2.

NormanF

I think 650B would look better. Grant Petersen would agree with me that's an appropriate conversion for a Bridgestone.

Duface

650b and 650a look almost exactly the same. It's a 3mm different in radius.
-edit-
Forgot to mention, great looking bike David!

Sixty Fiver

650A - Readily available rims and tyres.

650B - It is what the cool kids are doing, not so convenient for parts and tyres.

David Newton

Thanks for the comments, boys.
I don't think I'm the only cyclist on a budget around here, everything 650B costs lots more. I found a seller of inexpensive 650A alloy wheel sets, and am either changing out old steel wheels or converting other wheel size bikes to them. Simplify, simplify.

This bike rounds out my stable: my India Hercules upright bike, this bike for a little more speed, my wife's '61 Sports with a coaster, and my son's Dyno bmx bike. I hope my son will come to his senses and settle on an adult bike soon.

Duface

Care to share this source for 650A wheelsets? I'd love to do a similar conversion to make a bike for my girlfriend.

David Newton

As an homage' to the fellows down in SS/FG, here is the bike in it's natural environment.

Sixty Fiver

The CR18 comes in a 650A size and runs about $30.00 per rim, add the cost of hubs, spokes, and any building cost and you are looking at approx $240.00 for a custom made set of wheels as the build cost is going to be about $60.00 in most areas. If you can build your own wheels this is the way to go and having an experienced builder do your wheels is a good investment.

On the other hand... and if you want lighter duty wheels...

Have found some reasonably priced 650A wheel sets with single wall rims for < $150.00 / pr and with some pre-ride tuning have shown themselves to be rather decent.

David Newton

Uglyrm is the ebay seller name, carries wheels with Weinman alloy rims and steel hubs, bolt on, for $14.95 a wheel. I think he's currently out of fronts. If you are going to build a wheel anyway, buy the rears he has and reconfigure them with your own hubs. Cheapest way to go that I've found. They are cheapos for sure, I tune them up and they run fine.

Next up would be the wheels with CR-18 rims that Harris sells on this page
https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/wheels1.html#singlespeed