ZardozPH10

I found a proper set of Wolber Aspin rims on suntour hubs in a LBS stash room but ended up buying a set of Bontragers instead after the owner let me in on how pricey and problematic the rubber can be on lace up wheels. The Bontragers felt considerably lighter than the Wolber wheelset and now I'm curious just how much an original pair of 27" wheels actually weigh. Just looking for ballpark weight on a typical set of 27" steel wheels.

(Also got the Bontrager Race set with brand new cassette for $60...good buy?)

AZORCH

The answer is that it depends on the wheel. I've had a LOT of 27 inch wheels come through over the years and a good percentage of them are moderately heavy. On the other hand, I've also had some nicer, well built wheels with nice hubs and lighter rims. Those I've held on to for future builds, or used them when the opportunity presented itself. It's also not fair to compare relatively modern wheels made from relatively modern and substantially lighter material to older, steel stuff. Did the 27s have the same number of spokes, by the way? I'm just saying it's difficult to compare apples to oranges.

Steve Whitlatch 

I have Aspins laced to 600 Tricolor hubs with very light Tubular tires. Not sure how much they weigh but they feel great to ride. I had a set of Bontrager Race wheels. They were fairly light weight with an 8 speed cassette. The low spoke count kind of freaked me out a bit. When riding over rocks or twigs the wheel would make a ping noise that scared me. LOL

jimmuller 

The title of the thread say 27" steel. The steel part is more significant than the 27" part.

I have a set of unstrung Rigida Cro-Lux. I could weigh them but I have nothing precise enough to be meaningful.

ZardozPH10

I was curious what a set of stock wheels typically weigh. Certainly the modern set will be lighter but I just wanted to ballpark the weight saving from the swap.

exmechanic89

It'll be quite a bit of weight when comparing steel to modern alloy. I agree with Jim, the significant part is the steel, not the wheel size. Many 27" alloy wheels were quite light. I just sold a set from a late 80's upper-end schwinn and they were as light as my modern 700c alloy wheels.

So.. cant tell you exactly how much difference, but it'll be a lot, your newer wheels should feel like night and day difference, imo.

AZORCH

I dunno about the hubs on your wheel, but I jotted down in my notes a rim weight for Wolber Aspins of approximately 360. I've got a wheel set with those rims hanging out in the studio but there are tires on them, and I probably a completely different hub than yours. I seem to recall them being more than a bit heavy, just hefting them around. I don't think Aspins are steel either, but I'm too lazy to walk out there to check.

If you're more interested in the textured rim steel 27 inch wheels that pop up a lot, well yeah, those are generally boat anchors and yeah, you'll definitely feel a difference - especially when you try to stop!

Narhay

When I replaced my steel rims for my Raleigh Superbe (590 size) with CR18 aluminum rims (kept original spokes and hubs) I saved 381g per wheel or 762g in total for both wheels. So going a decent but still sturdy aluminum rim on a 27" bike might be closer to 2lbs of weight savings, especially if you get a lighter aluminum rim.

Steve Whitlatch 

I am confused. Neither wheel he is talking about is steel ? I don`t think either came in 27 inch?

"I found a proper set of Wolber Aspin rims on suntour hubs in a LBS stash room but ended up buying a set of Bontragers instead after the owner let me in on how pricey and problematic the rubber can be on lace up wheels."

SkyDog75

I just so happen to have a set of 27" wheels with steel rims in the garage from a 1980-ish Ross road bike. Without tires & tubes, freewheel, or skewers, the pair weighs roughly 3.1 kg (6.8 lbs).

For a comparison to current wheels, the inexpensive Shimano WH-R501 wheelset is roughly 1.9 kg (4.2 lbs).

New? That's a great deal! Used and in good shape? Still a heck of a bargain.

Prowler 

I have a set of wheels from a Westfield Vista Duchess. 27"x15/16" single wall chromed rims. Sunshine high flange solid axle ( nutted) hubs. No tires, rim strips or FW.

Front = 1.305 kg R = 1.435 kg. Yes, I used a calibrated digital scale.

AlexCyclistRoch

1) I don't believe Bontrager EVER sold steel rim wheels.

2) I don't believe Bontrager EVER sold 27" (630mm) rims

3) The Wolber wheelset was probably MUCH better than whatever you ended up buying

Post a pic, so we can at least get SOME idea of what you have. Right now, we are all doubting what you've told us.

Kevindale

My thoughts, too.

I love the Wolber Aspins (with Campy hubs) that came on my Tommasini. Early 1980s vintage, 700c size, grey hard anodized aluminum alloy, and lighter than the 'light' vintage clinchers I have (Araya CTL370), at least when both have tires and are ready to roll. Somewhere I have actual weights and will post if I find them later today. If they were a good price, you might consider going back and nabbing them. I'd certainly buy another set if they were available without shipping and a good price.

SkyDog75

"We all" doesn't include me. I think I understood him just fine.

1) He never said they did.

2) Ditto.

3) Irrelevant if he doesn't want to deal with sew-ups.

He bought a set of Bontrager Race Lite clinchers. Per his shop's advice, he passed on the Wolber Aspin tubulars. He's curious about the weight of 27" steel rims as a comparison.