Help with new wheels please!

declan1

Hello everyone!

I'm currently saving up for a set of new wheels for my bike.

(http://www.rutlandcycling.com/30786/Vik ... -Bike.html)

I'm looking at a pair of Shimano RS10s, but they are only suitable for 8/9/10 rear speeds (I'm new to cycling so I don't know all the technical stuff yet!). My bike only has 7 rear speeds. Is there something I can do to make them fit?

Thanks!
Declan

ugo.santalucia

Not much, I am afraid. You have a freewheel system and the wheels you want have a freehub. If your downtube shifters are friction only and not indexed, you might get away by fitting an 8 speed Shimano cassette, but if they are indexed, then there is nothing you can do but stick to a freewheel.
I would keep it as it is and have fun with it, without worrying about upgrades. One day you might have some spare coins to upgrade the all bike...

zx6man

+1

Not much gained from trying to get new wheels for that steed. Run it a bit, then save your pennies for a "full" upgrade with a new bike.

declan1

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Not much, I am afraid. You have a freewheel system and the wheels you want have a freehub. If your downtube shifters are friction only and not indexed, you might get away by fitting an 8 speed Shimano cassette, but if they are indexed, then there is nothing you can do but stick to a freewheel.
I would keep it as it is and have fun with it, without worrying about upgrades. One day you might have some spare coins to upgrade the all bike...

I forgot to mention it's not downtube shifters - they've sent me a newer version of it with handlebar mounted shifters, which 'click' into different gears. I presume that's indexed? Are there any other wheels that would work that are pretty light and cheap? The standard wheels weigh about 4.2KG for the pair which is really heavy!

If it really isn't possible, what about just upgrading the front wheel?

ugo.santalucia

declan1 wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Not much, I am afraid. You have a freewheel system and the wheels you want have a freehub. If your downtube shifters are friction only and not indexed, you might get away by fitting an 8 speed Shimano cassette, but if they are indexed, then there is nothing you can do but stick to a freewheel.
I would keep it as it is and have fun with it, without worrying about upgrades. One day you might have some spare coins to upgrade the all bike...

I forgot to mention it's not downtube shifters - they've sent me a newer version of it with handlebar mounted shifters, which 'click' into different gears. I presume that's indexed? Are there any other wheels that would work that are pretty light and cheap? The standard wheels weigh about 4.2KG for the pair which is really heavy!

In theory yes, you might be able to fit a 7 speed HG cassette on a 8-10 speed freehub body, i think the splines are the same, maybe you need a spacer... everything is possible with a bit of ingenuity. I warn you that upgrading a bottom of the range bike does not make much sense... it's a bit like fitting alloy wheels and low profile tyres to a Fiat Panda

declan1

ugo.santalucia wrote:

declan1 wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Not much, I am afraid. You have a freewheel system and the wheels you want have a freehub. If your downtube shifters are friction only and not indexed, you might get away by fitting an 8 speed Shimano cassette, but if they are indexed, then there is nothing you can do but stick to a freewheel.
I would keep it as it is and have fun with it, without worrying about upgrades. One day you might have some spare coins to upgrade the all bike...

I forgot to mention it's not downtube shifters - they've sent me a newer version of it with handlebar mounted shifters, which 'click' into different gears. I presume that's indexed? Are there any other wheels that would work that are pretty light and cheap? The standard wheels weigh about 4.2KG for the pair which is really heavy!

In theory yes, you might be able to fit a 7 speed HG cassette on a 8-10 speed freehub body, i think the splines are the same, maybe you need a spacer... everything is possible with a bit of ingenuity. I warn you that upgrading a bottom of the range bike does not make much sense... it's a bit like fitting alloy wheels and low profile tyres to a Fiat Panda

Ok, thanks for the advice!

I can't really save up for a nice bike just now as I'm 16, and just about to go to University, so probably not much money coming in! I was thinking about getting semi-decent parts for this bike when I can afford them, and then transfer them to a nice new frame in the future!

My friend's Cube Aerial is around 9.4KG, and mine is 11.5KG, so with some new wheels I should theoretically be able to make mine as light as his (which feels considerably lighter).

rolf_f

ugo.santalucia wrote:

....... it's a bit like fitting alloy wheels and low profile tyres to a Fiat Panda

Except that low profile tyres are a bad idea for 99% the population whatever they drive actively making the ride worse, being needlessly vulnerable to curbing and expensive to maintain but that's fashion for you!

@Declan - tbh, you'd probably do better to get a decent quality older bike. It would be lighter and cheaper to maintain. The trouble is that by the time you get to the point you can get a nicer frame, there's a good chance that you'll think that the upgrades you previously bought won't be good enough for the new frame. For the £100 budget you need to get some wheels that are entry level decent, you could pick up a serviceable 1990 ish road bike made from lightweight tubing and learn how to fettle it yourself if it needs anything doing.

I like the optimistic bumpf re Viking on the Rutland site -

First established in Wolverhampton in 1908 the Viking brand has a history, rich in the tradition of top quality road bikes and throughout the century. Quality, style and durability have always been the hallmarks of Viking cycles. If you have every yearned to go a little faster? A little further? Or just got tired of the feeling of riding in quicksand on a mountain bike? Then perhaps the Viking Race bikes are the bikes for you. Constructed from lightweight aluminium and equipped with top quality components, they offer a practical alternative to sluggish mountain bikes.

declan1

Rolf F wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

....... it's a bit like fitting alloy wheels and low profile tyres to a Fiat Panda

Except that low profile tyres are a bad idea for 99% the population whatever they drive actively making the ride worse, being needlessly vulnerable to curbing and expensive to maintain but that's fashion for you!

@Declan - tbh, you'd probably do better to get a decent quality older bike. It would be lighter and cheaper to maintain. The trouble is that by the time you get to the point you can get a nicer frame, there's a good chance that you'll think that the upgrades you previously bought won't be good enough for the new frame. For the £100 budget you need to get some wheels that are entry level decent, you could pick up a serviceable 1990 ish road bike made from lightweight tubing and learn how to fettle it yourself if it needs anything doing.

I like the optimistic bumpf re Viking on the Rutland site -

First established in Wolverhampton in 1908 the Viking brand has a history, rich in the tradition of top quality road bikes and throughout the century. Quality, style and durability have always been the hallmarks of Viking cycles. If you have every yearned to go a little faster? A little further? Or just got tired of the feeling of riding in quicksand on a mountain bike? Then perhaps the Viking Race bikes are the bikes for you. Constructed from lightweight aluminium and equipped with top quality components, they offer a practical alternative to sluggish mountain bikes.

Yeah, I thought that description of Viking was perhaps a little OTT. I'm currently refurbishing an old Peugeot Premiere steel road bike for my dad (a friend found it in a skip!), so that'll teach me the basics hopefully! I probably can't get an old bike now as I've only had my new one for a couple of weeks, so parents wouldn't understand....

ugo.santalucia

declan1 wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

declan1 wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Not much, I am afraid. You have a freewheel system and the wheels you want have a freehub. If your downtube shifters are friction only and not indexed, you might get away by fitting an 8 speed Shimano cassette, but if they are indexed, then there is nothing you can do but stick to a freewheel.
I would keep it as it is and have fun with it, without worrying about upgrades. One day you might have some spare coins to upgrade the all bike...

I forgot to mention it's not downtube shifters - they've sent me a newer version of it with handlebar mounted shifters, which 'click' into different gears. I presume that's indexed? Are there any other wheels that would work that are pretty light and cheap? The standard wheels weigh about 4.2KG for the pair which is really heavy!

In theory yes, you might be able to fit a 7 speed HG cassette on a 8-10 speed freehub body, i think the splines are the same, maybe you need a spacer... everything is possible with a bit of ingenuity. I warn you that upgrading a bottom of the range bike does not make much sense... it's a bit like fitting alloy wheels and low profile tyres to a Fiat Panda

Ok, thanks for the advice!

I can't really save up for a nice bike just now as I'm 16, and just about to go to University, so probably not much money coming in! I was thinking about getting semi-decent parts for this bike when I can afford them, and then transfer them to a nice new frame in the future!

My friend's Cube Aerial is around 9.4KG, and mine is 11.5KG, so with some new wheels I should theoretically be able to make mine as light as his (which feels considerably lighter).

University at 16? Are you a genius?

declan1

ugo.santalucia wrote:

declan1 wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

declan1 wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Not much, I am afraid. You have a freewheel system and the wheels you want have a freehub. If your downtube shifters are friction only and not indexed, you might get away by fitting an 8 speed Shimano cassette, but if they are indexed, then there is nothing you can do but stick to a freewheel.
I would keep it as it is and have fun with it, without worrying about upgrades. One day you might have some spare coins to upgrade the all bike...

I forgot to mention it's not downtube shifters - they've sent me a newer version of it with handlebar mounted shifters, which 'click' into different gears. I presume that's indexed? Are there any other wheels that would work that are pretty light and cheap? The standard wheels weigh about 4.2KG for the pair which is really heavy!

In theory yes, you might be able to fit a 7 speed HG cassette on a 8-10 speed freehub body, i think the splines are the same, maybe you need a spacer... everything is possible with a bit of ingenuity. I warn you that upgrading a bottom of the range bike does not make much sense... it's a bit like fitting alloy wheels and low profile tyres to a Fiat Panda

Ok, thanks for the advice!

I can't really save up for a nice bike just now as I'm 16, and just about to go to University, so probably not much money coming in! I was thinking about getting semi-decent parts for this bike when I can afford them, and then transfer them to a nice new frame in the future!

My friend's Cube Aerial is around 9.4KG, and mine is 11.5KG, so with some new wheels I should theoretically be able to make mine as light as his (which feels considerably lighter).

University at 16? Are you a genius?

Haha I was home-taught by my parents, so I did all my exams early. I'm also studying for a diploma in piano, and the university seemed to be impressed, so I got an unconditional!

aspender

declan1 wrote:

Haha I was home-taught by my parents, so I did all my exams early. I'm also studying for a diploma in piano, and the university seemed to be impressed, so I got an unconditional!

Ok, I'll buy you a whole new bike then. All I ask in return is 2% of your future net worldwide earnings

declan1

aspender wrote:

declan1 wrote:

Haha I was home-taught by my parents, so I did all my exams early. I'm also studying for a diploma in piano, and the university seemed to be impressed, so I got an unconditional!

Ok, I'll buy you a whole new bike then. All I ask in return is 2% of your future net worldwide earnings

Haha that's very nice of you I'll have to think a little first though

OT: Could I just replace the front wheel for now? I just want a little cheap upgrade that will make a big difference. I presume 1-2KG is a big difference?

littlestwoo

For what it's worth, 8 and 7 speed are.the same spacing, so you could just run across 7 sprockets from an 8 cassette. Then the next obvious upgrade would be an 8 speed STI lever from the bay. You're obviously bright, keep reading and reading and get yourself a thorough understanding about racing bicycle's, you can get something reasonable with not a lot of cash. Think about it as learning a new language, for example, clicky handlebar things translates to gear levers / STI levers / integrated gear and brake levers. It's going to be a hard lesson when this guy drops one of us on his Viking!

ugo.santalucia

declan1 wrote:

aspender wrote:

declan1 wrote:

Haha I was home-taught by my parents, so I did all my exams early. I'm also studying for a diploma in piano, and the university seemed to be impressed, so I got an unconditional!

Ok, I'll buy you a whole new bike then. All I ask in return is 2% of your future net worldwide earnings

Haha that's very nice of you I'll have to think a little first though

OT: Could I just replace the front wheel for now? I just want a little cheap upgrade that will make a big difference. I presume 1-2KG is a big difference?

Yes you can, but I would first think in terms of tyres... could it be that part of the weight is due to very heavy and slow tyres? A pair of Conti Grand Prix 24 won't break the bank and might give you a significant boost