Genshu

I have a '78 Raleigh. Have been commuting almost daily for 10 years, and started doing some longer tours as time permits. Contemplated gettin a new bike, but dont think I will now. Preppin for a longer tour. I still have the original steel wheels which I trued. Would gettin alum wheels mae a big difference in performance? I know that alum wheels are better for stoppin when wet, but I am wondering if they make a big difference in riding performance. thank you.

rootboy 

"an ounce off the wheels is worth two off the bike" is/was the old adage, but that may be old hat. Your bike will be lighter and thus feel lighter and, perhaps, more enjoyable to ride.

auchencrow

Going from heavy steel wheels to aluminum is BY FAR the most telling weight reduction you can make - one which will be immediately apparent to the rider.

motobecane69

lol, make this upgrade immediately! just be aware that the spacing on most modern wheels is going to be 130mm and your bike is probalby 126mm. it can be coldset to 130 or you can look around for a proper 126mm alloy wheel.

My first fixer upper project I just got some cheap alloy wheels online, I think it shaved something like 3 lbs off the bike. it was a major improvement, not to mention braking was much better.

auchencrow

You may be able to find some used alloy wheels in good condition cheap, with the proper over locknut dimension and freewheel (vs "cassette") hub. Check at your coop and LBS, or place a WTB ad. If not, Harris Cyclery sells nice new wheelsets with sealed bearings.

bradtx

Genshu, I swapped steel rims for aluminum rims years ago on my '80 RRA. The change was noticeable even on a heavy gas pipe bike.

Brad

sonatageek

The wheel upgrade is about the best thing you can do for a bike, especially when it means moving from heavy steel to nice aluminum.

noglider 

I think a rim upgrade is second to a tire upgrade. Tires are easier and cheaper to change, too.

Tires aren't sexy, but they make more difference in performance than anything on a bike, including the bike itself.

Wogster

I did this on my '75 Raleigh over the winter, and went from a steel wheel where the rear wheel without the freewheel was heavier then both wheels with the freewheel on the rear wheel. The performance improvements comes not only from the weight, but most steel wheels are straight sided, where most AL ones are hooked, and that means you are not limited to 80PSI max. Some Raleigh bicycles have enough brake reach that you can go to 700C and if they will fit yours, that is what I recommend as there are a lot more tire choices. This bike is on the trainer right now and probably will not see outside for another month or so, we are into the crossover season, once we get night time temps in the 10℃ range, then it will go outside and I will get final performance numbers. Supposed to go up to 6℃ this afternoon, so my morning ride may wait until afternoon and be outside

Genshu

Well at least I did upgrade the tires. I have on them Continental gator skins and just love them. Very smooth ride, can feel the road well. I am actually quite happy with the way my bike is performing. However as I am starting to do longer trips, and the burning pain sets in, well naturaly one thinks there has got to be a better way! I'll look for some aluminum wheels. Would like to keep my Gator skins so will look for 27 x 1 1/4. thank you what an awesome site!

motobecane69

go to AEbike.com, they have 27inch wheels for $30 each. They also have chain for 12 and new freewheel for 13. you should replace both of those and bump this up to a 7 speed setup. there is a 14-16-18-20-22-24-34 MEGARANGE which gives you a bailout gear for the biggest of hills that you may face doing a longer tour or if your somewhat loaded up or there is a 13-15-17-19-21-24-28 that gives you some lower gears and a nice spread.

AEbike does freeshipping on orders over $75 including wheels so basically for 85 bucks you can upgrade the bike verynicely, just remember most of these modern alloy wheels with freewheel hubs are spaced 130 mm so you will have to spread the stays which isn't an issue on steel bikes though some guys get anal and get it cold set.

matt0ne

Can you expound on your theory? I'm interested to hear(read) what you have to say(write) about this.

Genshu

I was about to get a triple crankset because of a certain mountain that brings out fear now that I know better! If I get a 7 speed freewheel, would that accomplish the same thing?

Genshu

thank you for the idea but AE bike doesnt have 27 in wheels

Velognome 

Every time you talk about those supple Pasela's, it sound kinda sexy to me

Genshu

funny those Gatorskins tires are totally sexy!

noglider 

Only if the largest sprocket is bigger than your existing one, giving you a lower bottom gear. How many speeds you have doesn't tell you how easy or hard it will be to climb a given hill.

I mean that tires contribute to the way a bike feels more than anything else. It's hard and expensive to do a double-blind test maintaining all things being equal in order to measure the effect of one change or another. You can't really ride a bike blind. So we rationalize why one bike rides well and another doesn't. A lot of our findings are based on our expectations, not reality.

But tires matter. Sometimes a cheap bike with good tires can ride better than a fancy bike with lousy tires.


Oh, you stop it, you!

Genshu

According to the original ad for the bike, the largest gear is already a 34. I agree that tires can make a big difference.

rootboy 

look a little harder. here's one;
https://aebike.com/product/sun-cr-18-...m8479-qc30.htm

Grand Bois

That's not a wheel.

SJX426 

And it is a 32 hole rim at that. Likely need a 36.

rootboy 

details ,details. It's half a wheel. Sounds like he has the other half.

here's a 36

https://aebike.com/product/sun-cr-18-...m8486-qc30.htm

chris902

You shouldn't underestimate just how big a difference the stopping power is, even in fairly dry conditions. It's not not a small difference, it's huge.

sauze

Niagra Cycle also has several 27" wheels and rims. Can't speak for the quality but as someone who was looking to do a similar upgrade I was happy to see that. Can order through amazon as well.

Link

cuda2k

I too saw a significant improvement all around when I put a set of alum wheels on my 80 Schwinn Traveler, and at that time I was an serious newb to the whole cycling thing.