Advice on wheels

stewyb

Hi guys, thought I would ask for some advice from the best people...

Going to convert one of my hardtails into a commuter now I have moved to London. I have no idea what wheelset and tyres to get though.

It's only going to be a ride to work bike so I guess I am looking for strength, speed durability at a reasonable price....

Any ideas.....?

Cheers

UndercoverElephant

Hand-built wheels are always the answer for durability and reliability. They shouldn't be slow, either.

Spa cycles do mail-order hand-built wheels, I'd go for LX hubs and Rigida Snyper rims. £157 the pair.

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... 0s200p2244

turnerjohn

welcome to the big smoke mate !
tough cheap light (yep don't always get that !) are the way to go...as undercover said handbuilt wheels are far better then machine ones.
check out merlincycles for some real good deals e.g. http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... E-MACH.htm

desweller

Round ones.

stewyb

Cheers guys, really appreciate the advice. Will check out the links!

If you guys are London lads, do you know of any 'hills' around London, if I was to bring my Kenisis up? I've grown up on the Quantocks and upset I've had to leave my bike at the parents.

Cheers again!

cjcp

stewyb wrote:

Cheers guys, really appreciate the advice. Will check out the links!

If you guys are London lads, do you know of any 'hills' around London, if I was to bring my Kenisis up? I've grown up on the Quantocks and upset I've had to leave my bike at the parents.

Cheers again!

I think I've got very similar wheels to those Shimanos turnerjohn pointed out. I've used them (not solidly, mind) for four years and found them to fine.

As for tyres, I've got Spesh Armadillos. Had them since 2002 and not once had a flat on them. They're not particularly in the wet, although the newer models may have more grip.

As for hills, I take it you mean off-road hills. If so, there are some good trails down Peaslake/Radnor Road/Leith Hill way.

kelsen

stewyb wrote:

Cheers guys, really appreciate the advice. Will check out the links!

If you guys are London lads, do you know of any 'hills' around London, if I was to bring my Kenisis up? I've grown up on the Quantocks and upset I've had to leave my bike at the parents.

Cheers again!

I'd avoid Balham Hill unless you're real confident about your climbing...

DonDaddyD

Balham Hill is epic.

Seriously though, Richmond is fun. But for the best hills that are unhindered by traffic you may want to head outwards into Surrey or Kent.