Cheap Rear Wheel Advice

OwenB
OwenB Posts: 606
edited December 2012 in Road buying advice
Hi, I'm looking for a replacement rear wheel as my current one has bitten the dust!
I'm on a really tight budget with no more than £60 to spend and that's an absolute maximum with 3 kids, 2 stepkids and a new baby on the way in January!

I'm a big fella at 19 stone so it's got to be a strong one, I've spoken to my LBS and they suggested a Tiagra hub with an Mach 1 rim for £50ish.

I'd really appreciate some help here :) I need to get out riding again!

Thanks

Owen

Comments

  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,533
    no idea if it's a good wheel, but 36 spoke ought to be robust, a smidge under 32 quid including shipping...

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M-Part-700Cx1 ... 0790042320
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • OwenB wrote:
    I'm a big fella at 19 stone so it's got to be a strong one, I've spoken to my LBS and they suggested a Tiagra hub with an Mach 1 rim for £50ish.

    I bought a Tiagra Hub, 32h, Mach 1 rim rear wheel from an lbs when I was over 20 stone - was told it was handbuilt by Raleigh in Nottingham - had nothing but trouble from it from day 1. Spokes were way too loose, wheel was dished wrongly and when I tightened it all up and dished it myself the spokes started breaking (almost definelty was from the stress of being badly built in the first place).

    Now - such a wheel should be strong but the key point is build quality is everything - if its been built correctly it will be good - mine wasn't - not saying the one you've been offered is the same just saying check the build is good and that the lbs will warranty it.
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    It all depend on how much use this wheel will see. A customer who does 3.5K miles a year has nearly killed his rear wheel. Nipples are sieed preventing truing and the rim has almost worn out. If you use the bike sproadially then cheap is fine. If it see's alot miles then it will be a false economy that will cost you more in the long run.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • OwenB
    OwenB Posts: 606
    I do 60 miles a week commuting and try to get a 40+ ride in every other weekend. But
    that doesn't always happen unfortunately.
    But I need the wheel sooner rather than later and due to the time of year funds are extremely tight.

    The omega/tiagra wheel offered by the lbs would be built by them apparently and the builder there has a very good reputation locally so I've no concerns with that.