Author Topic: 700 C wheels for Surly Cross Check  (Read 11724 times)

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Offline run_26miles

700 C wheels for Surly Cross Check
« on: January 02, 2014, 03:30:26 pm »
I wanted alex adventurer wheels, but can't find them built up.  Any suggestions for "stock" wheels that would work for touring?

Thanks!  Cindy

Offline RussSeaton

Re: 700 C wheels for Surly Cross Check
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2014, 07:09:28 pm »
Having a hard time understanding this question.  Stock wheels?  What is that?  I build my own wheels.  So stock wheels to me means picking a set of hubs.  Campagnolo Record or Shimano Dura Ace for most recent wheels.  Then choosing some rims.  DT rims recently.  Then choosing some spokes.  DT or Sapim are the choices for me.  But maybe Wheelsmith is still around.  14/15 double butted or 14 straight are the choices.  Then take these parts you can buy many places and build them into a set of wheels.  I prefer 3 cross on the spokes.  If you do not know how to build wheels and choose not to learn, then several online retailers offer the service for about $25.  Or your local bike shop will have the service available for about the same money.  Choosing wheels built by a company in a factory is almost always a poor choice for bicycle wheels.  Always build your own wheels from hubs, rims, spokes you choose.  What you choose isn't too important really.  Hubs, rims, spokes sold retail are almost always good enough.  You'd have to look pretty diligently to find poor quality hubs, rims, spokes.  If they are sold retail, they are good enough.

Offline Pat Lamb

Re: 700 C wheels for Surly Cross Check
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2014, 10:58:17 pm »
I'd take a slightly different slant to Russ. Go find a set of wheels, and either tension and stress relieve them yourself or pay a good wheel builder to do it for you.  Big companies can machine-build a wheel for dirt cheap compared to what you'll pay retail for parts; you may be able to find a set of hybrid wheels for $100 or so.  Add $50 for that good wheel-builder's labor, or a cheap truing stand and Brandt's "The Bicycle Wheel" if you want to learn how to DIY, and you've got a decent set of wheels.

Alex rims are decent, but not top of the line.  And it's funny how "hybrid" wheels seem to have most of the best attributes of "touring" wheels.

Offline DaveB

Re: 700 C wheels for Surly Cross Check
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2014, 09:36:27 am »
Alex rims are decent, but not top of the line.  And it's funny how "hybrid" wheels seem to have most of the best attributes of "touring" wheels.
My experience with Alex rims is the same.  They are nothing special and certainly not worth making an effort to find.  There are certainly better ones like Mavic, Velocity, DT, and others.

What do you want to use these wheels for and what characteristics do you want?  What riding conditions are you expecting?  Better defining your needs should lead to some specific recommendations for good wheels.

Offline run_26miles

Re: 700 C wheels for Surly Cross Check
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2014, 11:53:36 am »
Thank you all for the advice.  I would like to build my own wheels, and I have a truing stand, but it seems a little intimidating.  That why I was looking for stock wheels. 

The wheels I want would be for touring and commuting, not for speed.  I have done the Trans Am and this bike would be for that type of riding.  Rough pavement, some dirt road, shoulders with assorted debris obstacles and hopeful always a tail wind (wouldn't that be nice).

I got a Surly Crosscheck frame in excellent condition that I am building up.  I have ultegra 3 X 10 shifters, 105 rear derailleur, ultegra front derailleur.  I have taken a bike building course at BBI, but I didn't take the wheel building component. 

That being said, I would like to try building my own.  So where is the best place to buy hubs, spokes, nipples and rims?  I was looking for alex adventurer because that what comes on the Surly Long Haul Trucker, and thought it would be the best for touring. 

Thanks again, for taking the time to read my post and offer advice.  I will be following your recommendations.

Offline DaveB

Re: 700 C wheels for Surly Cross Check
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2014, 03:32:24 pm »
That being said, I would like to try building my own.  So where is the best place to buy hubs, spokes, nipples and rims?  I was looking for alex adventurer because that what comes on the Surly Long Haul Trucker, and thought it would be the best for touring. 
Bear in mind Surly specs many of their OEM components to maintain a reasonable price point, not because they are the best available.  They are functional but chosen with cost very much in mind.  Also know that building your own wheels from scratch is going to cost significantly more than any comparable prebuilt wheel.  The big manufacturer's buy components I huge quantities and have costs you can only dream about.  If that doesn't bother you, read on.

Peter White Cycles ( http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/index.html ) is one very good source for both prebuilt wheels and individual components suitable for touring and his web site had very good information too.

Offline Pat Lamb

Re: 700 C wheels for Surly Cross Check
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2014, 04:10:45 pm »
Thank you all for the advice.  I would like to build my own wheels, and I have a truing stand, but it seems a little intimidating.  That why I was looking for stock wheels. 

That being said, I would like to try building my own.  So where is the best place to buy hubs, spokes, nipples and rims?  I was looking for alex adventurer because that what comes on the Surly Long Haul Trucker, and thought it would be the best for touring. 

Lickton (lickbike.com) often has the "best" (for me) combination of rims and hubs in stock, and decent spoke prices.  (I get aggravated at paying $2 for a bog-standard double butted spoke!)  Velocity Dyad is a nice rim.