New wheel set for vintage ladies bicycle - advice needed

My gf bought a bike and it needs a complete new wheelset (as well as tyres & innertubes), as the current are fucked - don't spin/un-true/bent spokes etc...

I don't know much about these type of bikes, and wish to convert it it a single speed freewheel.

Does anyone know where I can get some wheels for it? The wheels are 540mm.

I have googled nothing came up (of any help).

Here's a pic:

Ta.

Personally I would keep things period-ish and simply true or re-built the wheels with new spokes. Maybe put a cassette hub at the back or simply take the gear cable off the Sturmey Archer.

540mm? What's written on the tyres?

540mm? What's written on the tyres?

erm, I believe the tyres say 540x43mm and the rims say 540x20mm. It's a 19" frame so is very small as she's only 5' 2".

Personally I would keep things period-ish and simply true or re-built the wheels with new spokes. Maybe put a cassette hub at the back or simply take the gear cable off the Sturmey Archer.

Also I start a new job the week after next and really don't have time (or the knowledge) to rebuild the wheels. I just wanted to buy some with normal hubs and have it single speed. The rear wheel is extremely heavy and both wheels hardly spin at all.

I've also taken a fair few bits off (just cos the bike weighs a TON).

Ta

Paul.

Any ideas where I can order some wheels? I urgently need the bike running.

Ta muchly.

I think they might be 24 x 1 3/8.

That size is the British Juvenile on Sheldon:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire_sizing.html

SJS have these (rear only it would seem):

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/src/froogle/product-Unbranded-Wheel-Rear-24-x-1-3-8-Inch-with-Nutted-Solid-Axle-and-Silver-Steel-Rim-Screw-on-Single-Speed-Freewheel-2936.htm

I definitely call to check though.

Thanks goodhead and the others, it's helped me a lot.

Here's how the bike looks at the moment:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3437/3952986077_d45fdef96d_b.jpg

The wheels don't seem to spin very easily at all! Which makes pedaling pretty hard work. Is there anything I can do to fix this? The bearings are greased up but still not great :/

is it rubbing somewhere or is it simply down to the bearings/hubs?

is it rubbing somewhere or is it simply down to the bearings/hubs?

Hi, it's down to the bearings/hubs, as I took the wheels off and tried too. Even the new (used) wheel I got from SJS delivered today is just the same.

Could it be the BB? I.e. is it spinning freely in the dropouts and the friction appears when you put the chain on? Seem odd that a new wheel isn't any different.

Na, it doesn't spin at all (that's all three wheels I have for it are the same). You have to like push it round, and very very shortly after you let go it stops.

It does this however/wherever the wheels is i.e. on the bike or off holding on to the spindel. The 'new' wheel is very old too, it's the one from goodhead's post above.

Are the cones too tight? http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cone-adjustment.html

Yes they are, I have tried them at different tightnesses too which doesn't make any difference. But when they are loose, they do appear to spin smoothly, but that is way to loose to ride it safely.

Thanks for the link too.

Indeed.

I'm no bike mechanic but even so I quite handy and it doesn't make sense to me either. I'd just leave it but TBH it really isn't acceptable, even on an old crappy bike.....

pman. I'd take the wheels into a local bike shop. All of them.

If you spin wheel (taken out of the bike and just holding the axle) it should continue to rotate for a long time ideally.

As others have said if that doesn't happen it is probably either the cones being too tight or the bearings in the hub being screwed.

The wheel you got from SJS should not have this problem - even sold as NOS.

Your post is quite vague but a bike shop should be able to at least diagnose the issue.

EDIT: I think the cones need adjusting as a guess.

You made me think of this. What a shit song:

YouTube - Toyah - It's A Mystery (UK TV)

Okay thanks, I'll have another tinker when I can, and if not take them to the local bike shop.

Many thanks.