26" Wheelset Help!!
- Thread starter Memphis_Sean
- Start date
Help Support Rat Rod Bikes Bicycle Forum:
Your local wheelbuilder who has a good reputation. Tell them what hubs, spokes and rims you want and what kind of riding you intend to do with them.
Pretty subjective. Hard to beat some steelies with 11 or 12ga spokes on a Bendix though
What's it for?
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2013
- Messages
- 4,096
- Reaction score
- 8,807
The axle diameter will probably be different if you put a modern coaster set on a vintage bike. If it’s an old bike and you put on modern wheels you will almost certainly have to file flat spots the front wheel axle to make it narrow enough to fit the fork drops. You will also have to spread the fork as modern hubs are wider (most are now 100 mm) than the vintage ones. It’s doable and the cheapest way to go, but if you want it to be non jury rigged go with custom built wheels. I usually buy a used big box store Huffy and take off the wheels, file the axles and spread the fork. These newer Huffy wheels are alloy and not steel so it might not be the look you’re after. If you get new steel rims do research. I have yet to find modern ones that don’t easily bend. A few years ago I bought a new steel coaster wheel with 11 gauge spokes. I did a coaster brake hockey stop and the wheel folded. Old steel rims didn’t do this so the rim was too lightly built. I wonder if they make heavy duty steel industrial bike wheels, but the axle fork issue would be the same problem? Good alloy mountain bike rims are very durable, but don’t have the classic look. Personally, if it’s a vintage frame, for durability I would lace up double walled mountain bike rims with a Shimano E110 coaster hub and a NOS 96 mm vintage hub. Bearings could easily be sourced if the front hub ever needed it and the E110 is modern and parts are easily found. Measure first.
Last edited:
MattiThundrrr
Rattus All Terrainus
Not the best, but a good selection of the basics.
https://www.huskybicycles.com/26-wheels.html
If you want the biggest baddest steel coaster wheels, you want some Worksman industrial wheels. Used to be a parts section on their site, but I can't find it now
www.worksmancycles.com
https://www.huskybicycles.com/26-wheels.html
If you want the biggest baddest steel coaster wheels, you want some Worksman industrial wheels. Used to be a parts section on their site, but I can't find it now
Worksman Cargo Bikes, Industrial Bicycles and Electric Tricycles from Worksman Cycles Factory Direct Store
Worksman Cycles in America's oldest bicycle manufacturer featuring Heavy Duty Industrial grade bicycles, industrial tricycles, Adult Three wheelers, special needs tricycles, tandems and cruisers , proudly made in Conway SC..
I don't know if these are the "best," but I just recently purchased a rear coaster brake wheel here:
www.modernbike.com
Claims to be made in USA. Seems to be of good quality. I haven't installed it on my build yet. I'll let you know how it goes.
Wheel Master 26-inch Rear Wheels
www.modernbike.com
Claims to be made in USA. Seems to be of good quality. I haven't installed it on my build yet. I'll let you know how it goes.
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2018
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
I actually have a Wheel Master Wheelset hanging up in my garage...seems ok...does your box, etc say Made In the USA??I don't know if these are the "best," but I just recently purchased a rear coaster brake wheel here:
Wheel Master 26-inch Rear Wheels
Claims to be made in USA. Seems to be of good quality. I haven't installed it on my build yet. I'll let you know how it goes.
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2018
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
I have a Worksman...wheels are def. HD!Not the best, but a good selection of the basics.
https://www.huskybicycles.com/26-wheels.html
If you want the biggest baddest steel coaster wheels, you want some Worksman industrial wheels. Used to be a parts section on their site, but I can't find it now
Worksman Cargo Bikes, Industrial Bicycles and Electric Tricycles from Worksman Cycles Factory Direct Store
Worksman Cycles in America's oldest bicycle manufacturer featuring Heavy Duty Industrial grade bicycles, industrial tricycles, Adult Three wheelers, special needs tricycles, tandems and cruisers , proudly made in Conway SC..
There was a tag attached to the wheel saying made in USA.
Not the best, but a good selection of the basics.
https://www.huskybicycles.com/26-wheels.html
If you want the biggest baddest steel coaster wheels, you want some Worksman industrial wheels. Used to be a parts section on their site, but I can't find it now
Worksman Cargo Bikes, Industrial Bicycles and Electric Tricycles from Worksman Cycles Factory Direct Store
Worksman Cycles in America's oldest bicycle manufacturer featuring Heavy Duty Industrial grade bicycles, industrial tricycles, Adult Three wheelers, special needs tricycles, tandems and cruisers , proudly made in Conway SC..
Looks like they don't have online ordering. One would have to figure out what one needs, or call them to help you figure it out, then order over the phone.
Last edited:
Not really. I've been building my own wheels for about 25 years.
Just last year I learned how to make up a wheel. I shoulda done that years ago, it isn't hard to do. I lace them up and let the local shop true them up, it's cheap here.
But if I had to pay a lot for truing, I would get a truing stand and do it myself also.
You can choose what rim, spokes, and hub for your own wheelset. I prefer stainless spokes with 3 or 4 cross lacing pattern, and the best hub I can get. There are plenty to choose from.
But for the toughest set of wheels, I would agree with the above posts and contact Worksman and see how much a set is. They have chrome and alloy sets. One of the members here occasionally has a good wheelset or frameset for sale cheap. Check the for sale section.
But if I had to pay a lot for truing, I would get a truing stand and do it myself also.
You can choose what rim, spokes, and hub for your own wheelset. I prefer stainless spokes with 3 or 4 cross lacing pattern, and the best hub I can get. There are plenty to choose from.
But for the toughest set of wheels, I would agree with the above posts and contact Worksman and see how much a set is. They have chrome and alloy sets. One of the members here occasionally has a good wheelset or frameset for sale cheap. Check the for sale section.
MattiThundrrr
Rattus All Terrainus
Probably referring to @ind-chuckz , he's like our industrial bike supplier. Infrequent visitor, but when he does, he drops the goods!
Check your PMs
It is good to have an American manufacturer who believes in people fixing their products. Worksman Parts and Accessories are on the main page under Product Support then chose: Owners Manual, Parts Lists, Videos. I've had to order replacement parts from them before and they have everything that goes on any Worksman Model. Wish all bicycle companies were as complete as Worksman.
I couldn't agree more. I called Worksman and they said they absolutely take orders for wheelsets only, although they are currently experiencing longer than usual lead times due to demand (which is a good thing!).
I see a Worksman cruiser in my near future.....
