Miradaman

Put a couple of hundred miles on my refurbished Trek and already thinking about the next update. The wheelset is mismatched and I’d love to ditch the scuffed-up stock rear wheel and get a black aero rear wheel to match the front one. Does anyone even make new 7-speed freewheel compatible rear wheels for older bikes like this?

nesteel 

Your "scuffed up" rear wheel is normal, and perfectly fine. You should find a matching front.
Your original rear wheel does not have a modern machined brake track; the brake pads will eventually wear down the anodizing, which is what you're seeing now. Your front wheel has a machined brake track, which is "neater" in appearance.
Yes, they still make wheels to fit, but 27" are harder to find than 700c. Which size do you have?

Miradaman

Yeah, it rides just fine, I just like the look of the front wheel better. And the scuffed-up black painted braking surface on the rear bothers me. This would be strictly for the aesthetic value. It's 700c.

bikemig 

Silver rims of course are what came on this bike stock. It's going to be tough to beat these at $119 a pair:

https://www.velomine.com/index.php?m...8qu18fgc5cgr10

dedhed

Seeing Chicago, I believe there are a number of co-ops in the Chicago area that would probably have a decent price on a used wheel set, although the current pandemic might not make that an option. Wouldn't hurt to call.

Maybe think about upgrading to 8 speed and a cassette/freehub rear wheel.
If you were a bit closer I'd sell you a set off a 91 400 that I upgraded.

Miradaman

Those do look nice I'll give you that. And even though I'm not a big fan of the silver, having matching wheels of either color might look better than how it is now...

Miradaman

Yeah, I think all the co-ops are closed. Good point though, they have to open eventually. Maybe I'll just wait it out...

Upgrading to 8 would involve new shifters and derailleur too, right?

jlaw

Lots of reasonably-priced wheel sets can be found here: https://www.velomine.com/index.php?m...gukihjllgvo6b3

The Mavic, Alex, Sun,Weinmann, H Plus Son, and Velocity offerings will be the most affordable - from $109 to about $250 you will find several possibilities. The specific item description will state if the set works for 7 speed. If you are running friction shifters you could probably make one of the 8, 9, 10, 11 wheels work for 8 speed if you also get a new cassette. The vendor should be able to answer this question re: a specific set.

However, most of the sets are going to be 28 or 32 spokes - not quite as sharp looking as your existing front wheel.

Also, any 'modern' looking rear wheel is unlikely to have the same cross pattern and spoke count as your front wheel because it would not be stout enough for a rear wheel unless you are a lightweight rider.

Mavic - $109 - works for 7, 8, 9, 10 speed

Miradaman

Yeah, I assumed the spoke count would be higher for the rear. I was just hoping to find a black aero-style with silver braking surface and black spokes to match the overall look of the front. Might just go with one of the sets you guys are recommending though, at least that way they'd match...even though it rides great the mismatched wheels give it a bit of a beater vibe to my eyes...

dedhed

Shifters, not RD.
About $40 or less. Or more if you wanted to try STI shifters.
https://www.performancebike.com/shim...oaAkIMEALw_wcB

Or run yours in friction

jlaw

Sometimes you can find decent used wheels with lower spoke counts on CL - or call around to bike shops as they may have used wheels or 'take off' wheels that would more closely match your existing front.

dedhed

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/b...108068536.html

https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/b...113510763.html