RH Clark

Can someone please recommend a good inexpensive 700C wheelset for a Miyata 610? I will be using a 7 or 8 speed freewheel and 38C tires. Inexpensive is the key word.

bikemig 

Can you fit 38c tires on this bike? Is it a hybrid?

Are you looking for 126, 130, or 135 OLD?

Cheapest is likely to be used and something local. Sometimes a donor bike can be a good source of wheels. Otherwise check eBay.

Velomine is also a good source of inexpensive wheels; try BikeIsland as well.

RH Clark

The Miyata 610 in a 1983 touring bike. It's originally a 27" wheeled bike but I can use 700C wheels with a brake adjustment. The rear is 130m width, but I can spread it enough by hand to fit the 135mm 700C wheels. I have tried 38mm tires and they have good clearance. I'm friction shifting now with an Altus rear derailleur which works with the 7 speed mega range Shimano freewheel but might work up to 9 if the downtube shifter will move it enough. The derailleur is capable, but I haven't tried the shifter on a 9 speed.

squirtdad

cheap but good quality https://velomine.com/products/weinma...-bike-wheelset

maxes out at 7 speed, but in in general going beyond 7 speed invites bent axles

jdawginsc 

Are you absolutely married to the idea of a freewheel rather than a cassette?

I don’t think you need to spread the drops to 135, because the Mavic 550 hubs took 7 and I think 8 speed on its 130 version.

Look for a wheelset with 130 Mavics and they are pretty maintenance free. I just bought a set with Matrix rims for $55 plus shipping off the ‘Bay.

icemilkcoffee 

Unless you are really on a tight budget, I don't see a good reason to cheap out on wheel.
If you are planning to run 38mm tires here, you owe it to yourself to build this one tubeless. You could look for Shimano WH6700 ,WH6800 or Ksyrium UST wheelsets on the used market. Or the Shimano WH-RS500 which is $370 new:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/363789273323
If you cannot stand the black spokes and black rims (and I am with you 100% there), you could build up your own wheelset with the Pacenti Brevet rims which are tubeless ready. Keep in mind that tubeless ready rims do require taping- so it is a compromise there.

RH Clark

I'm not married to a freewheel or 7 speed. I did look at Shimano WH RS500 when I was searching for possibilities. The low spoke count gave me some concern though. I'm not packing heavy on this bike but I weigh about 190lbs and do ride light gravel sometimes.

I appreciate all the suggestions so far. Good info that I needed.

I said 7 speed freewheel and 135mm because I have already ridden it with that combo borrowed from an old Trek comfort bike. I didn't cold set the frame yet, just spread it by hand when I put the wheels on.

jdawginsc 

If someone is selling a Trek Multi track near you, the wheels are 7-8 speed and 130mm OLD.

Might be a cheap way to get wheels.

alcjphil

If you have 130mm dropout spacing you would be far better off looking for a wheel with a cassette hub rather than a freewheel. This will allow you to run 7(with a spacer), 8,9, or 10 speed cassettes and will greatly reduce the risk of bending or breaking an axle for someone of your weight

SurferRosa

Have you searched your local (or extended) craigslist? You could extend the search for a donor bike. Or look/post in the ISO or Sales sections of this C&V subforum.

RH Clark

That site is awesome. Thanks so much. I have been looking at different sets there and now considering something that fits 8-10 speed cassettes. My wife has a 700c set with 9 speed Shimano. I'm going to mount the rear wheel and change the chain to see if the friction shifter will pull enough for at least a 9 speed. Rivbike says my Altus 310 will friction up to 9.

What rim width for 38mm tires? I'm thinking 19 plus ?

DiegoFrogs

The Sun CR-18 would be about right, but 38mm would be the widest I'd try. It'll have an internal width of 18 mm and an outer of ~22.5 mm, if I recall correct. They're also double-walled and eyeletted.

Kabuki12

Used from a donor bike worked well for me…..TWICE! The last set was a set of Super Champion Gentleman 81 wheels with stainless steel spokes laced to Superbe High Flange hubs , the whole bike was $50. It took a couple of hours to polish and true them but they look like new.

scarlson 

I really don't think it matters what width of rim you use.

Many will argue with me. I hate to cite Jan Heine, because of his outsize ego and general pomposity of late, but I believe he's right in this instance.
https://www.renehersecycles.com/myth...eed-wide-rims/

In my own experience: I use 48mm wide tires on 19mm internal width rims. No problem. ETRTO chart says I can go down to 17. And I would, without hesitation, if I needed to. I have also used 32s on Mavic Open 4 CD rims, which are 13mm internal width. Again, no trouble at all. Had a tandem with a T217 rear wheel, 17mm internal width, with 38s. Also no problem.

RH Clark

I have a set of 35mm that I have put on narrow racing wheels designed for 23 mm tires. It felt rollie to me around curves compared to the same tires on rims designed for 38mm tires. It might have been more flex in the wheel itself I was feeling also but I did enjoy the feel more on the heavier wider wheels.

My plan is to run the Rene Herse 38mm 700c standard casing.

I have this older set of wheels, but the bearings feel very rough. It's the set I have been using to experiment on and I could rebuild them and might, but I figured if I could get a decent set fairly cheap, I might save myself the time. Now I want to experiment some more to see if a 9 speed might work well for me. I actually have a set of 9 speed bar end shifters now that I think about it, and a couple 9 speed chains. The old Miyata could be in for a better grade wheel set. It is in great shape, but I've always loved that I have ridden it so much for so little money invested. The original 27" wheels were professionally rebuilt. Basically, just regreased and adjusted. They are in excellent shape. They are limited in tires, however.