Where to get wheels?

[btj]

Looking to get some new wheels for my 1978 Fuji Gran Tourer (got it a year ago after 15ish years of not riding so I’m a bit of a n00b). It currently has 27″ x 1 & 1/4″ wheels but I’m thinking of switching to 700c (x 28 – 32ish) mainly so I have more options than I can find in the 27″ world. It looks like my break pads can slide down in the caliper a bit so I think the 4mm difference is ok.

Now my bike itself only cost $250 so I’m not looking to break the bank on wheels. I’ve got one recommendation for http://bicyclewheels.com/ but am definitely open to other places (online preferred so I can avoid human interaction ).

Also, I’m not exactly sure what I need since I’m rocking a freewheel and it’s a 12 speed (6 cog rear). I’ve seen mention that spacers might be needed if I get something intended for a 7+ speed but I don’t even know what the spacers look like.

So that’s a few question in one post… obviously I need some guidance. Thanks in advance for the help!

[DismalScientist]

The number of current cogs on the rear only matters if you have indexed shifters and want to keep them. Since you have a steel frame bike, you may need to stretch the frame a little when putting in a wheel with a wider axle.
If you wanted to use the old wheel, but with a 7 speed freewheel, then you might need a spacer (a wide washer that fits next to the larger freewheel spacer on the axle) but since you are changing wheels, this is a non-issue.
It may be hard to find “good” wheels with freewheels these days.
There is no reason to stick with a freewheel–you can uses wheels with 8 to 10 cog cassettes as well. With more cogs, you will need a narrower chain.
If you want to go to indexed shifting with the newer wheel, you will have to make sure your derailleurs are compatible. If you have a SunTour derailleur, it won’t be.

BTW, I have an 8 cog freewheel I am looking at off-loading on anyone interested.

[btj]

@DismalScientist 27388 wrote:

The number of current cogs on the rear only matters if you have indexed shifters and want to keep them. Since you have a steel frame bike, you may need to stretch the frame a little when putting in a wheel with a wider axle.
If you wanted to use the old wheel, but with a 7 speed freewheel, then you might need a spacer (a wide washer that fits next to the larger freewheel spacer on the axle) but since you are changing wheels, this is a non-issue.
It may be hard to find “good” wheels with freewheels these days.
There is no reason to stick with a freewheel–you can uses wheels with 8 to 10 cog cassettes as well. With more cogs, you will need a narrower chain.
If you want to go to indexed shifting with the newer wheel, you will have to make sure your derailleurs are compatible. If you have a SunTour derailleur, it won’t be.

BTW, I have an 8 cog freewheel I am looking at off-loading on anyone interested.

Thanks for the info, it’s definitely helpful. I’m looking to keep my same shifters, derailleurs, cassette, etc and just replace the wheels because they are old and spokes are beginning to break (they look oxidized). Definitely an old bike so I’m not looking to dump a lot of money into it, I’ll save that for when I get a newer road bike. Just trying to keep it in good working order.

[Bilsko]

About 4 years ago, when I built up my ’78 Schwinn SLT into a fixed/single speed, I bought a pair of Mavic’s laced to a flip-flop hub from bicyclewheels.com (the link you mentioned). (Cost for both delivered was somewhere around 150-200 IIRC) I’ve been riding them ever since with no surprises or disappointments.
You might want to do some homework with Sheldon Brown and see what options Harris Cyclery has for wheels too.

For low-cost, no frills options, a few other places to check online:

Universal Cycles
Niagara Cycle Works
Performance
Nashbar

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