Building a budget fat-tire 700cc wheelset, need advice
08-14-11, 04:16 PM
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Building a budget fat-tire 700cc wheelset, need advice
I'm building a touring flavored commuter based on a Cannondale H300 hybrid frame, and plan to use a sturdy 700c wheelset and some fat tires to compensate for the stiffer aluminum frame. I've never built a wheelset from scratch before, but I have "rebuilt" a set of wheels (broke down, polished, re-laced and trued) so I'm not against building the wheels myself from scratch. I want the rims to be wide enough to seat a fat tire (45mm+), do 700c rims come in wider sizes or is there one standard size? It is a hybrid frame and there is definitely room for wider tires, but I'd like to use the original brake setup.
Any advice or links to budget wheelsets would be appreciated. I'd really like to keep the wheels and tires under $150.
Any advice or links to budget wheelsets would be appreciated. I'd really like to keep the wheels and tires under $150.
08-14-11, 04:37 PM
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SUN CR 18 rims. Very cheap and very strong. Those rims are 22mm wide so you can run tires from 28mm up to 50mm.
08-14-11, 06:41 PM
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Thanks for the quick reply, those are definitely in my price range! I like the idea of piecing together my own components, even if they are cheap ones. Just makes for more satisfaction at the end of a build, or so I imagine. I'll see if that holds true in a few weeks (or months!).
08-14-11, 06:50 PM
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Here are a couple affordable, well-sealed hubs to go with that:
https://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=61254
Weinmann ZAC-19 is another rim that's pretty strong for a good value.
https://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=61254
Weinmann ZAC-19 is another rim that's pretty strong for a good value.
08-14-11, 07:17 PM
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I am very interested in the replys to this thread since my Commuter is a Cannondale H400. I am looking at beefing it up and making it as bulletproof as possible for commuting in south florida.
08-14-11, 07:34 PM
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08-14-11, 08:09 PM
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I built a budget bulletproof wheelset for my Cross Check using Salsa Delgado Cross Rims ($34 each), Novatec hubs ($75 shipped), and Sapim Force triple butted spokes ($72 shipped). I obviously splurged a bit on the spokes, if you went straight gauge you could get them for ~$15.
I've used 700x25 Gatorskins and ridden a century on them, and I've mounted my 700x38 cross tires and beat the crap out of them on some rooty singletrack. The hubs are sealed bearing and very smooth. The rims are still true and haven't needed correction since I built them (my first build!) I'm very impressed with them.
I've used 700x25 Gatorskins and ridden a century on them, and I've mounted my 700x38 cross tires and beat the crap out of them on some rooty singletrack. The hubs are sealed bearing and very smooth. The rims are still true and haven't needed correction since I built them (my first build!) I'm very impressed with them.
08-14-11, 09:52 PM
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I'm very interested in seeing the finished result. I've got 37mm on my '93 H300 right now and have been researching what I will put on come the rain/snow season. I'm thinking wider too since there is quite a bit of room to play with on these frames.
08-15-11, 06:57 AM
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Velocity Dyads and their new A23s will also accommodate larger tires and are considerably lighter weight than the Mavic or Sun rims.
08-15-11, 12:40 PM
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You might find that it's hard to buy parts to build your own wheel for less than you could buy a pre-made set, and just check the tension and truing yourself:
Alivio/Sun 36 Spoke Hybrid Wheelsets $119.95
https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/wheels/622.html#economy
That still doesn't leave much for tires. Maybe Pasela's from Nashbar for $40/pr?
Alivio/Sun 36 Spoke Hybrid Wheelsets $119.95
https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/wheels/622.html#economy
That still doesn't leave much for tires. Maybe Pasela's from Nashbar for $40/pr?
