Wheels-advice. Etc.

hi,
first time caller, long time listener.
i've got a quick question, that no doubt has been mined to death, but i have a slight twist.
I've got a raleigh and i want to turn it into a single speed for my commute. which is 10 miles from wandsworth into the centre.
it's an old 12 speed and i pretty much only ever use the top 3 gears. so. single speed seems right for me (i'm not sure as to the rear sprocket size, probably 17 or 18 i'm guessing). though i'm going to regret that the day i see my first big hill....

seeing as i've just knacked the front wheel. i'm thinking of replacing the two wheels. going single speed. and generally tidying it up to what i want it like (aero bars, tt levers, respray).

i'd like some advice on wheels really, i don't want to shell out loads on hand builds as i only paid 100 quid for the bike. it seems ridiculous having wheels that are more expensive than the bike. that makes sense right?

i'm after something light, strong and less than 150 quid for a pair.

thanks for listening. love your work.

Pair of on-one 32H track hubs - £32 (sealed bearings, but only black left)
64 spokes - £?? (buy a box)
Pair of Mavic cxp22s - £30 (ChainReactionCycles if they have stock)
building - £20 (less if you can lace them yourself?)
You are right - this has been done to death!
You could get SJS hubs / other rims / whatever you want.

Nothing wrong with having wheels worth more than the rest of the bike. They will make a biggest difference on any bike.

As an side where do you all get you spokes from? I have always got mine from sjs any other good suppliers out there?

Edinburch cycles are good for spokes, cheap too.
E-bay for boxes if you know the size.

i'm in tooting/balham and i've got the queenstown road hill on clapham common (if i get caught on the lights it's a bollocks). i'll have to work out a way around that on the way home. and for some reason hyde park always kills me at the end of my ride in.

i'd true my rims but the hub on the front busted. and i thought "if that's gone, and the cluster, i've been told, is on its way out, i should just by some new wheels. for front and back."

is 52 17/18 crazy?

My suggestion would be to talk to Peter at Outspoken Cycles (outspokencycles.co.uk) in Cambridge. He's a really nice guy and his prices are awesome. I've bought two sets from him: Formula hubs laced to Mavic CXP22 rims and high-flange Miche Primatos hubs on CXP33s. they were £110 and £135 respectively and included decent spokes, Miche sprockets and postage. Above all the build quality is really good. Like i said he's friendly but also reliable and quick. I had my wheels within a week. The (Outspoken) website is a good guide but if you call you'll find that he's helpful in sourcing all kinds of stuff. Two thumbs up.

If you're adamant about running a freewheel then go with a fixed-free 'flip-flop' hub and you can choose. However, I did this and I've never once used the freewheel.

Tommy's right, wheels are the right place to spend money. By the way, you should expect hand-built wheels at this price-range. Low-end 'off-the-peg' wheels aren't worth having.

52:17/18 is pretty tough! you'll go but you'll probably struggle on the climbs. There are loads of threads already about gear ratios ;) I'm 48:17.

Good luck!

damo i'm in tooting/balham and i've got the queenstown road hill on clapham common (if i get caught on the lights it's a bollocks). i'll have to work out a way around that on the way home. and for some reason hyde park always kills me at the end of my ride in.

i'd true my rims but the hub on the front busted. and i thought "if that's gone, and the cluster, i've been told, is on its way out, i should just by some new wheels. for front and back."

is 52 17/18 crazy?

you want 52x14 with no breaks, trust me.

yep. that's the golden gear

50x14, init. No brakes. Clips and straps. Tubulars. Balls of steel to match your frame. And an arse that says "rape me" to aim at.

Superprecise My suggestion would be to talk to Peter at Outspoken Cycles (outspokencycles.co.uk)

Yes I've heard good thing too.. rock solid + good value + custom.

BringMeMyFix No brakes

NoBrakes™

i just want to get back on my bike it's been nearly two weeks of public transport. i can't afford a new crank just yet, wheels first.
thanks for all the advice!