Cheap as chips wheels

Hello,

i'm mid way through converting an old dawes galaxy to a spare fixed bike. So far i've removed the gears, taken off the 5speed freewheel and replaced it with a single speed one, re-dished the wheel, shortened the chain and removed one of the front cogs.

here is a pic:

however I now need a new pair of wheels as the current 27inch ones have whats been termed a "suicide hub' if I want to fixify my ride.

what's the cheapest/easiest way of doing this?

I tried a pair of 700cc ones from my other bike in it and they look like the front brake would reach, but the axle was too fat to fit in?

I'm guessing 700cc wheels with fixed or flipflop hubs are going to be easier to find than 27" ones. anyone got any spare?

You only need one wheel, that front wheel should do you fine.

kiwicycles google them they do some cheap wheels.

you could rebuild the rear with a proper track hub ;)

You can use a 700c rear wheel if you dont run a rear brake!?
You may experience more pedal-strike than before..

Nicholas You only need one wheel, that front wheel should do you fine.

true but being 27 x 1 1/4 i'd have to have odd tyres on the bike.

i'm considering trying to rebuild the back with a track hub (seems the cheapest option) but this is perhaps a bit out of my bike tinkering league? re-dishing the wheel was quite easy and fun, so perhaps it's worth a punt. Is it as hard and as specialised as people seem to make out?

not hard at all! if its large flange (like i think it is in the photo) should be able to get a formula or system-x for cheap and even re-use spokes

sheldon brown has a good set of instructions. Take your time and all will be well. I Use and old set of forks as a truing stand and this as a dishing tool

A quick explanation is on here http://thomasbrickell.googlepages.com/wheeldishingtool poorly written not maintained, but should give you an idea.

If the hub that's on there is a "Normandie", like I've got on my old Carlton, the dimensions are near as damnit to those of the sjscycles own brand hubs (I think these are the same as System-X).

If you're a real cheapskate, you could even reuse the spokes as long as they don't snap when you try undoing them.

sjs do some nice 27" rims. get them built up and you'd have a nice set.

TheBrick(Tommy) sheldon brown has a good set of instructions. Take your time and all will be well. I Use and old set of forks as a truing stand and this as a dishing tool

A quick explanation is on here http://thomasbrickell.googlepages.com/wheeldishingtool poorly written not maintained, but should give you an idea.
tommy thats the biggest thing you've had between your legs for a while ;) :p

Suicide is not that risky - if you don't skid and run a brake
and get it on real tight with a BB lockring behind it.

Alternatively, If you don't really care about the current wheels why not just stick a fixed cog on with some Loctite - so that it will NEVER EVER come off.

If you later need to change cogs /wheels replace the Hub / Wheel then?

I'd say thats the cheapest option?

Loctite: Red High-Strength No. 271, 262, 266, 268, 272, 277 & 2760 - Used on things that you don't want to take apart for a long time. It requires heat from a torch or iron (to 250° C) to loosen its grip. It cures into a thicker, sticky bond that holds up better against vibration and shocks. Preferably to be used with automotive and mechanical operation such as nuts and bolts on Cars, Motorbikes, Ski-doo's and Boats.

next time I do an on-the-cheap conversion....

• once you work out the gearing you want ;)
  

i've araldited a semi-dead lockring thread and it seems to be holding up ok

lukerative Loctite: Red High-Strength No. 271, 262, 266, 268, 272, 277 & 2760 - Used on things that you don't want to take apart for a long time. It requires heat from a torch or iron (to 250° C) to loosen its grip. It cures into a thicker, sticky bond that holds up better against vibration and shocks. Preferably to be used with automotive and mechanical operation such as nuts and bolts on Cars, Motorbikes, Ski-doo's and Boats.

next time I do an on-the-cheap conversion....

• once you work out the gearing you want ;)
  
  

maybe not a bad idea, the gearing with a freewheel 52/17 seems to be pretty good, i'm guessing a fixed 17 cog on the back is going to be the same?

that said, i'm quite keen to try wheel building, as this is a spare bike.

and a new flip flop hub would mean I could run it as a freewheel too if a (nonfixed friendly) friend wanted to borrow it.