Track bike parts on commuter, yes no maybe?

[TDB]

I ride a single speed to and from work 10 miles each way, from College Park to Silver Spring. The roads are full of lumps, cracks, dips, potholes, and all things evil.
I am currently looking for a new front wheel to replace the very cheap one on this bike, which I also use for training (flip flop rear wheel, ride fixed for training when not in traffic). I came across a front wheel being sold by a gentleman on craigslist that includes a 700×28 tire and 3 tubes, all for 40. This seems like a great deal, except for the fact that its a track wheel. A Bontrager Select Track Wheel Series 6000 to be exact.

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My concern lies mainly in the ability of this wheel to stand up to the rigors of the commute. In particular, the spoking of the wheel. While I by no means claim to be well versed in spoking science, the pattern and frequency of the threading on this wheel would lead me to believe it is constructed with the sole purpose of riding on a nice smooth velodrome, and that on real world streets it may not hold.

I would love to hear opinions on this, especially if the opinions are that its strong enough for my purposes and a suitable replacement.

TDB

Topic

[CCrew]

Those wheels have known issues with cracking, especially at the spoke nipples. Combine that with the low spoke count and paired design they’re known as being not a very durable wheel. Caveat Emptor.

[TDB]

Thanks for the heads up, after doing some further research I found similar stories, looks like this one is a no-go. Ah well, guess I’ll be taking the bike with its current meh wheel to Maine for a week of riding and camping.

[OneEighth]

For what it’s worth, both my fixies have Velocity wheelsets. One bike with deep-Vs and the other with Chukkers. Both have 32 spokes and get used regularly for commuting. I’ve had no problems with either set and both take a pretty good pounding on a regular basis. I’m perfectly comfortable hopping curbs with the Chukkers, but they are heavier. They are also lovely in snow with fatter cx tires.
Depending on how crazy you want to get with spokes and hubs, you can get them for decent prices on ebay.

[TDB]

Yeah, I’m actually using a velocity deep v rear, just bought it from a guy that didn’t have the front wheel. Hence the $30 Alex wheel from REI that as it turns out, only accepts 23 and smaller tires. So that’s fun. Here’s a picture of the bike in all its baby-blue glory.

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’77 Panasonic Sport Deluxe frame with I’m assuming are the original components, minus the ss/fixed setup.

[DaveK]

@TDB 6859 wrote:

Yeah, I’m actually using a velocity deep v rear, just bought it from a guy that didn’t have the front wheel. Hence the $30 Alex wheel from REI that as it turns out, only accepts 23 and smaller tires. So that’s fun. Here’s a picture of the bike in all its baby-blue glory.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]299[/ATTACH]

’77 Panasonic Sport Deluxe frame with I’m assuming are the original components, minus the ss/fixed setup.

After being in Maine for a week, you’re going to have a hell of a time running that big a gear. Might want to consider a smaller chainring.

[TDB]

I’m pretty much used to it, 50 front 19 rear i think.

[CCrew]

@TDB 6877 wrote:

I’m pretty much used to it, 50 front 19 rear i think.

Oh to be young and still have good knees

[OneEighth]

Actually, 50:19 is not a painful ratio. I figure you would have to spin somewhere right around 100 in order to hit 20mph. Most of the hills around here should be pretty easy with that ratio, too.

[DaveK]

That’s not too bad, the cog in back looked like it was smaller than that in the picture. That’s probably about the gear I spend most of my time in around town anyway.

[CCrew]

@OneEighth 6879 wrote:

Actually, 50:19 is not a painful ratio. .

Clearly not in your 50’s like I am

My Langster Steel is running 42/16, but for some reason I can only take that bike for a limited time. Yet I pretty much never use small ring on any of my road bikes. I think the q-factor may be a bit tighter on the Langster, just rips my knees up pretty quickly

[OneEighth]

Yeah, I think you’ve got about 10 years on me. Does make a difference.
But someone did call me “sir” when passing today and that’s gotta count for some old-guy points.
My old Langster had a Sugino 75 crankset on it and felt a bit close together. I switched it out for a SRAM Omnium which I like so much better that it carried over to the new Langster build. Oddly enough, though, the Sugino crankset feels great on my Surly.
It’s probably all in my head.

[jrenaut]

@OneEighth 6883 wrote:

It’s probably all in my head.

I suspect all crank manufacturers wish everyone had your head.

[americancyclo]

@TDB 6859 wrote:

’77 Panasonic Sport Deluxe frame

Oh man, that takes me back, my first ten speed was a late 80s Sport 500

[Author]

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