slowpedaler

My rear rim is in bad shape and needs replacement. I thought that maybe I could just replace the rim, but I have been advised that because I have a very old bicycle, a new rim by itself may not fit the spoke length and that I should buy a new rear wheel. Seems like I could just buy some new spokes. I am having trouble finding a new rear wheel. My bike is a Trek 730 purchased over 20 years ago. It uses cassette not freewheel. 7 x 3 speeds. Any recommendations where I might go shopping for a new wheel, and should I give up on the new rim idea?

Thanks,

alo

Consider buying another bike rather than a rim.

branko_76 

That's a nice bike, it's worth keeping and restoring.

Is this your rim?....

Matrix Vapor, 32-hole

cpach

You can use an 8 speed freehub with a 4.5mm spacer behind the cassette and use all your current components. I forget offhand what the hub spacing is on an older 730--it may be 130mm or 135mm, but either is regularly available anyways. The measurement is by measuring either the insides of the dropouts or the locknuts of the hub.

If you're interested in learning to build a wheel I'd encourage you to do so, but otherwise it really is probably more price effective to buy a new wheel, as 700c freehub wheels for either 130mm or 135mm are pretty common. If you do decide to rebuild, you can measure the effective rim diameter (ERD) using two spokes of known length and nipples and a ruler or calipers and search for a rim with the same or relatively similar ERD as the original, assuming none of the original spokes have broken. Even then, they have undergone more fatigue than a new spoke, but if they were well tensioned and ridden within their limits except for one major accident they may last a long time yet.

Wheelmaster is a pretty common brand for cost effective machine built wheels. Spend more for something with a double walled rim--it's usually worth it. They are generally OK, though I would personally do a bit of touchup to the wheel build and the hub adjustment before installing one on a customer's bike. Something like https://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Master-...s%2C202&sr=8-2 would be appropriate given the value of the bicycle.

rseeker

Man, really? I have a 730 of similar vintage and I'm in love, I wouldn't sell it! But I'm seeing I'll need rims in a year or two, so, subscribing.

dedhed

Just to make sure as it'll change the advice given.Another recent thread had confusion due to Trek's reuse of model #'s.
You have a 730 "Multi-track" flat bar mid-level hybrid like this.



Not an 80's high level road bike 730 like this

Retro Grouch 

20 years ago I owned a bike shop. At dealer cost I could buy a pre-built wheel set for almost exactly the same price as I could buy the individual components and lace it myself. If your rear rim is fu-barred the most cost effective solution is to buy a pre-built replacement.

davidad

Attempt to measure the existing rim to determine the ERD. Then find a rim with the same spec and tape it to the old one. Remove one spoke at a time and install it in the new rim. True and tension the wheel and go for a ride.

dedhed

Sort of like this.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...paramount.html

davidad

Almost. I would tape the new rim to the old one and move one spoke at a time to the new rim.

slowpedaler

Yes, I have a multitrak.

Rogerogeroge

Find a new source. Those wheels with those spacing still exist and they can be found relatively cheap. And forget about just buying a rim. Paying someone to build a new wheel will be more expensive than the replacement wheel. And if you're replacing a well used wheel with a trashed rim, the spokes should be replaced as well.

Andrew R Stewart 

If taping a new rim to an old do be aware of the spoke offsets (the holes often are alternating side to side) can be opposite each other. (What some will call a left hand VS a right hand offset). Not that it matters except you want to have the offset to align with the spoke/flange sides and this might result in the valve hole one spoke off what some would say is the only way to lace a wheel . (I suffered this negative comment way back in 1975 from an older club member). Andy

Russ Roth

I'm inclined to agree with get a new wheel, there's a chance that a 135 hub will fit and the price is liable to be in the 60.00 range. If the rim is toast then your spokes aren't far behind and you can expect to pay 30.00-40.00 for a rim, maybe a little less on ebay though shipping will get you. If you get a rim that's the same you can just measure your spokes but expect another 25-35.00 for spokes and nipples and you still need to build it or pay someone to build it which can put you to a 100 for one rebuilt wheel on an old hub.
Course, the 730 was a decent bike but nothing amazing and newer can be better.

tFUnK

Another vote for new wheel. In fact, I would recommend a new wheelset altogether. Might be hard to find something new, but you check the used market for something that fits. A 8/9/10 speed hub will also work with your setup; you'll just need a low spacer to accommodate the stack difference between 7 and 8 speed cassettes.